Ukrainian architecture

Ukrainian architecture has initial roots in the Eastern Slavic state of Kyivan Rus. After the 12th century, the distinct architectural history continued in the principalities of Galicia-Volhynia and later in Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Ruthenia and Žemaitia. During the epoch of the Zaporozhian Cossacks, a style unique to Ukraine developed under the influences of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

After the union with the Tsardom of Russia, architecture in Ukraine began to develop in different directions, with many structures in the larger eastern, Russian-ruled area built in the styles of Russian architecture of that period, whilst the western Galicia was developed under Austro-Hungarian architectural influences. In both cases producing fine examples. Ukrainian national motifs would eventually be used during the period of the Soviet Union and in modern independent Ukraine.

Medieval Rus' (988–1230)

The medieval state of Kyivan Rus was the predecessor of modern states of Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus and their respective cultures, including architecture.

The great church architecture, built after the adoption of Christianity in 988, were the first examples of monumental architecture in the East Slavic lands. The architectural style of the Kyivan state, which quickly established itself, was strongly influenced by the Byzantine. Early Eastern Orthodox churches were mainly made of wood, with the simplest form of church becoming known as a cell church. Major cathedrals often featured scores of small domes, which led some art historians to take this as an indication of the appearance of pre-Christian pagan Slavic temples.

Several examples of these churches survive to this day. However, in the course of the 16th–18th centuries, many were externally rebuilt in the Ukrainian Baroque style. Examples include the grand St. Sophia of Kyiv (the year 1017 is the earliest record of foundation laid), Church of the Saviour at Berestove (built from 1113 to 1125), and the St. Cyril's Church, c. 12th century. All can still be found in the Ukrainian capital.

Several buildings were reconstructed during the late 19th century, including the Assumption Cathedral in Volodymyr-Volynskyi, built in 1160 and reconstructed in 1896–1900, the Paraskevi church in Chernihiv, built in 1201 with reconstruction done in the late 1940s, and the Golden gates in Kyiv, built in 1037 and reconstructed in 1982. The latter's reconstruction was dismissed by some art and architecture historians as a revivalist fantasy.

Little secular or vernacular architecture of Kyivan Rus has survived.

Cossack epoch

Early Ukrainian Baroque

Ukrainian Baroque emerged during the Hetmanate era of the 17th–18th centuries. Ukrainian Baroque architecture, representative of cossack aristocracy, is distinct from Western European Baroque in that its designs were more constructivist, had more moderate ornamentation, and were simpler in form.

During the 17th-18th centuries, most medieval Rus' churches were significantly redesigned and expanded. Additional church domes and elaborate exterior and interior ornamentation were added.

Famous examples of Ukrainian Baroque architecture include the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra complex, the Vydubychi Monastery, and the Pochayiv Monastery.

* Small Cossack churches

Crimean Tatar architecture

When Crimea was ruled by the Crimean Khanate, the period left several constructions inspired by Islamic motifs. The most famous was the Bakhchisaray Palace, designed by a combined effort of Persian, Turkish, and Italian architects.

Late Ukrainian Baroque

* Sophia Cathedral reconstruction
* Kyiv Passenger Railway Station

Imperial period

Russian Empire

As Eastern and Central Ukraine became increasingly integrated into the Russian Empire, Russian architects had the opportunity to realize their projects in the picturesque landscape that many Ukrainian cities and regions offered. St. Andrew's Church of Kyiv (1747–1754), built by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, is a notable example of Baroque architecture, and its location on top of the Kyivan mountain made it a recognizable monument of the city. An equally notable contribution of Rastrelli was the Mariinskyi Palace, which was built to be a summer residence to Russian Empress Elizabeth.

During the reign of the last Hetman of Ukraine, Kirill Razumovsky, many of the Cossack Hetmanate's towns such as Hlukhiv, Baturyn and Koselets had grandiose projects built by the appointed architect of Little Russia, Andrey Kvasov.

Russia, winning successive wars over the Ottoman Empire and its vassal Crimean Khanate, eventually annexed the whole south of Ukraine and Crimea. Renamed New Russia, these lands were to be colonized, and new cities such as the Nikolayev, Odessa, Kherson and Sevastopol were founded. These would contain notable examples of Imperial Russian architecture.

Austro-Hungarian Empire

Western parts of Ukraine that were once part of the Austro-Hungarian empire host some prominent examples of 19th-century Central European architecture, such as the Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet.

Vernacular architecture

The term vernacular architecture can be used interchangeably with the terms "folk", "common", "native", "traditional" and is usually placed at the other end of the spectrum from professionally designed building by architects. The building knowledge in vernacular architecture is based on local traditions and is thus based largely upon knowledge handed down through the generations. Different regions in Ukraine had their own distinctive style of vernacular architecture. For example, in the Carpathian Mountains and the surrounding foothills, wood and clay are the primary traditional building materials.

The Museum of Folk Architecture and Way of Life of Central Naddnipryanshchyna is located in Pereiaslav. The open-air museum contains 13 theme museums, 122 examples of national architecture, and over 30,000 historical cultural objects. The Museum of Decorative Finishes is one of the featured museums that preserves the handiwork of decorative architectural applications in Ukrainian architecture.

Galicia

Wooden churches in Western Ukraine

File:Олександрівка, Церква св. Параскеви 2010 (5764).jpg, St. Paraskeva Church,, Zakarpattia Oblast
File:Ковель - Костел (дер.) з с. Вишеньки Рожищенського району-1.jpg, St. Anna church, Kovel
File:St.Jura(002).jpg, St. George's Church, Drohobych
File:Жовква .Церква Пр.Трійці (дер.).JPG, Holy Trinity Church, Zhovkva

Architecture of late 19th and early 20th centuries

Eastern Ukraine

* Ginzburg House
* House with Chimaeras
* Russo-Byzantium in Ukraine (St Volodymyr's Cathedral)

Western Ukraine

* Historic Centre of Lviv - UNESCO World Heritage Site
* Chernivtsi University - UNESCO World Heritage Site
* Lviv Rail Terminal

Soviet Union

After the October Revolution and the Russian Civil War that Ukraine was also involved in, most of the Ukrainian territory was incorporated into the new Communist Ukrainian SSR. For the first time, Ukrainians, as a nation became a recognized nationality, and as a result great efforts were undertaken to develop a separate Ukrainian architectural style.

Capital: Kharkiv (1917–1934)

During the early years of the Soviet rule, the Ukrainization policies, meant that many Ukrainian architects were encouraged to use national motives unique to Ukraine. At the same time, architecture became standardised, all cities received general development plans to which they would be built. The national motives were, however, not taken up as the new architectural fashion for the new government became Constructivism.

In Soviet Ukraine, for the first 15 years, the capital was the eastern city of Kharkiv

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