Verkhovna Rada

This is the building where the Ukrainian Parliament meets. The building, designed by Vladimir Zobolotny, was erected from 1936 to 1938. It was necessary to build a new building for the parliament, because the capital until 1934 was located in Kharkiv.

During the Second World War the building was destroyed, and in 1945 to 1947 is was reconstructed in its original style with just one thing changed: The glass dome was build one meter higher than the original.

Next to the parliament building is the baroque palace Mariyinsky Palace that was constructed from 1744 to 1752. The designer was Bartolomeo Rastrelli. The palace was built by order of the Russian Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. Nowadays, the palace is the official ceremonial residence of the President of Ukraine.