Old Passenger8 photos

**Old Arcade** Among the lost landmarks of old Kharkiv was the “Paščenko-Tryapkin Arcade,” also known as the “Old Arcade.” It opened in 1875 and was destroyed during the previous war. This unique commercial complex was located in the heart of an area where, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Kharkiv Fortress stood. Later, this became a vital intersection point, connecting the surrounding districts of the city center. In the 1850s, the ambitious merchant and property owner V.I. Paščenko-Tryapkin purchased the land and buildings from previous owners—merchants such as the Karpovs, Pavlovskis, Rastorguevses, and others. He then began constructing new buildings and renovating old ones, converting them into various commercial spaces that he rented out. The business was profitable, and it prospered until nearly the end of the century. Before his death in Moscow in 1894, Paščenko-Tryapkin donated all his properties to the city. This generous act greatly enriched the city’s budget and brought significant benefits to Kharkiv. Among Paščenko-Tryapkin’s properties was the so-called “Big Building Block,” which included the arcade. The “Big Building Block” occupied a plot of land along the former Kupčeveski (Paščenkovski) Slope, now known as Halturnin Slope, between University Street and Klotskovskaya Street. To the north, the plot bordered the Holy Protection Monastery; to the south lay the former Cathedral Square, with the Uspenskoy Cathedral’s bell tower and the opposite-side Governor’s Office building, which is now occupied by a square with a Eternal Flame. The area was densely populated with buildings ranging from two to five stories in height, creating several enclosed inner courtyards. The renovation of old buildings, including Rastorguev’s shop, one of the oldest and finest shops in the city, was carried out according to the designs of military engineer-architect I.F. Kolodiazhnyy. The construction was pragmatic, without excessive artistic demands, but it was solid and durable. The ground floors housed various stores and small service businesses, while the upper floors contained a hotel with a restaurant, a Jewish prayer room, individual apartments, and furnished rental rooms. In the 1870s, Paščenko-Tryapkin planned to expand the arcade further. These passages, covered with glass roofs, connected different streets and were flanked by attractive shops that attracted customers. In the 19th century, the construction of arcades became common, helping businesses compete more effectively against less comfortable traditional marketplaces. The design of Kharkiv’s arcade was created at the request of Paščenko-Tryapkin by civil engineer-architect D.S. Chernenko. It was located in the southeastern corner of the building block. The arcade consisted of two sections connected at a right angle. One entrance faced University Street, at ground level, while the other was located at the third-floor level relative to the slope. A pedestrian bridge was built over the slope to connect this entrance to the University Street promenade. This bridge, designed by Kolodiazhnyy, added to the popularity of the area. The arcade operated successfully until 1917 and continued to serve its purpose under Soviet rule, despite competing with new types of stores. However, its layout and facilities became outdated. In the late 1930s, reconstruction work began according to the plans of architect L.G. Lubarsky, but the war interrupted these efforts. During the 1941–1945 conflict, all parts of the “Big Building Block,” including the arcade, were destroyed. After the war, the remaining ruins were demolished in accordance with the general plan for restoring and reconstructing Kharkiv, which aimed to reduce urban density in the center and improve the area’s environment. On the site of the former arcade, a terrace-style park with a fountain and water feature was created according to the designs of architect G.G. Vegman, in collaboration with architects A.S. Mayak, I.Y. Zhilkin, and M.S. Lutskiy. Today, this park serves as a popular leisure area for locals and visitors alike.