Offering excursions around the Kharkiv region, travel agencies of Ukraine often mention the castle in the village of Sharovka, which is located on the territory of the Bogodukhovsky district. Its construction is inextricably linked with the history of the formation of the urban settlement as a whole. Sharovsky Castle was founded at the beginning of the 19th century and was named after Matvey Shariy, the captain of the Akhtyrsky regiment.
History of the founding of the village
PGT is located on the banks of the river Merchik. Sharovka (Kharkiv region, Ukraine) is surrounded by forests. In 1670, Matvei Iosifovich Shariy purchased an arable field and a meadow for four rubles, located on one side of the river. In 1700, he founded a farm in Merchik, on the territory of which at that time there were 112 churchyards and a brick workshop. In the 30s of the last century, the status of Sharovka was changed to "urban-type settlement".
History of the estate
The construction of the palace was started by the Olkhovsky family, who had big plans forpalace and surrounding areas. The gambling of one of the family members played a cruel joke on them. Ultimately, the estate passed into the hands of the Gebenstein family. This time the castle was lucky with the owner. Christian Gebenshtein was a non-professional botanist who was engaged in the acclimatization of plants uncharacteristic of the temperate climate of the country. Thus, the parks adjacent to the building were enriched with exotic plants. Throughout the history of its existence, the White Castle was rebuilt three times in different architectural directions. The palace acquired its final appearance by the beginning of the 20th century.
In 1917 the estate was nationalized. The USSR authorities organized a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients on the territory of the complex. Unfortunately, in the last century, no one cared about the appearance of the architectural heritage, which is why the state of the castle was described as deplorable by the end of the 20th century. Currently, the estate is still under restoration. In order to start restoration work, in 2008 the tuberculosis sanatorium was transferred to the village of Zanki, Zmievsky district.
The most powerful owner of the estate
German Baron Leopold Koenig found the love of his life in a Ukrainian girl whose name has not survived to our times. The legend says that her name was the Young Lady. Leopold was a very rich man: he owned a horse, brick and sugar factory, but this did not bring full-fledged human happiness. He courted the Young Lady for a long time, she married him, but not at the call of her heart, butparents' request.
The guests of the wedding celebration called the Sharovsky Castle the “White Swan”, because it rises above the lake and seems to draw white wings to the water. After some time, the young wife got used to her husband and began to help him in all his affairs. Thanks to Barysna, 90 students of the Sharovsky School enjoyed hot breakfasts every morning. Koenig worked no less, trying to bring the work of his factories to the European level. But the most important occupation for Leopold was to indulge the whims of his beloved wife, especially since she was terminally ill. Knowing that the Young Lady loves flowers, he built greenhouses so that the servants could arrange bouquets throughout the palace every morning.
One of the baron's most charming ideas was the sugar slide. One hot summer, the girl wanted to go sledding. Workers from the Koenig factory over the next night covered a small hill with several tons of sugar. In the morning, the Young Lady with local kids rolled down this hill, as if it was deep winter in the yard.
In 1903, at the age of 82, Koenig died, the owner of the estate was first his eldest son, and after him - the youngest. A little later, the Soviet government nationalized the castle and the surrounding land.
Palace legends from the time of Leopold Koenig
Shortly after the wedding, the Countess fell ill with consumption (pulmonary tuberculosis). In order to at least slightly alleviate the suffering of the Young Lady, Koenig divided the territory of the estate into parks. A large number of coniferous trees and lindens were planted there, whichthe girl loved very much.
One day, the count sent his beloved to the sea to rest and improve her he alth, which had been undermined by consumption. There, the Young Lady met an officer who could not pass by her unearthly beauty, and began an affair with him. The girl cheated on her loving husband not far from a large stone that weighed six tons! Koenig's observers immediately reported the sad news to him. Jealousy and betrayal of his wife did not give rest to the offended Koenig, because he did not deserve such an attitude towards himself.
After some time, the Young Lady stumbled upon a stone known to her while walking in Sharovsky Park. It turned out that Koenig ordered to bring it and install it on the alley, where the wife most of all liked to spend her leisure time. Leopold wanted his beloved not to forget about her low deed towards him. The ill-fated block was called the "Stone of Love". Locals believe that if you make a love wish and immediately touch the stone, it will certainly come true.
Sharovsky Castle today
The palace was built in the Neo-Gothic style. The two towers at the front give the building grandeur and are reminiscent of its opulent past. A wide staircase leads from the main entrance to the garden, where the fountain and pool are located. In the central part there is a large hall in which various celebrations and receptions were held. In total, the white-stone manor house has three halls and 26 rooms.
The estate was arranged by specialists invited from Germany - engineer Stolz and architect Jacobi. They designed the veranda, which was made of glass andplaced on the east side. At the end of construction, Koenig ordered the erection of a building with a gabled roof, in which there was a guard. And also on the estate there is a gardener's house, greenhouses and a forester's hut.
If you decide to go on a tour of the Kharkiv region, be sure to visit this mysterious architectural monument and the park ensembles adjacent to it.
Sharovsky Palace and Park Complex
The idea of the composition of the estate as a whole belongs to the landscape architect Georg Kufaldt. Under his strict guidance, 150 species of exotic plants were planted. The parks are decorated with fountains, alleys and stairs. The area of the estate is not less than 39.3 hectares. Most of the forest is occupied (15 hectares). 3 hectares are allocated for landscape groups, 3 hectares for lawns and lawns, 1.65 hectares for ponds, and 7 hectares for buildings.
The highlight of the palace complex can safely be called a linden alley. The branches of all trees grow vertically upwards. Not far from the alley is the famous "Stone of Love". 150 out of 200 plant species are rare for Ukraine's climate.
Self-guided travel
The majestic White Castle is located sixty kilometers from the first Ukrainian capital, so it is more comfortable to start the trip from Kharkov. If you plan to travel by car, then you need to drive along the Kharkiv-Kyiv highway and turn towards Stary Merchik. Thus, you, driving the next 40 kilometers towards Krasnokutsk, will find yourself at the turn to Sharovka urban settlement. Kharkiv region, by the way, has several settlements with the same name. Therefore, be extremely careful when traveling.
Further, without entering the village, move along the same road. After another kilometer, turn towards the sign "Sanatorium "Sharovka"" - and you will find yourself on the spot. You can park your car in front of the entrance to the palace complex and enter the estate through the central gate.
Sharovsky Castle: how to get from Kharkov by public transport
From the Central Market there are scheduled buses to Krasnokutsk, one of which you will start your journey. You will need to exit at the turn to the Sharovsky sanatorium. Walking along a straight road will take no more than five minutes. The locals will gladly show you the way, following which you will see the Sharovsky Castle. Also, a fixed-route taxi runs directly from the Central Market to the village.
