Now let’s visit the genuine diamond of the capital of Bukovyna – former residence of the Bukovynian Metropolitans, now central buildings of Chernivtsi National University named after Yuriy Fedkovych. It is no wonder people say you can see in Chernivtsi a lot, but if you have not seen the Residence – you have not seen Chernivtsi. Splendid panoramic view of the ensemble of former residence, which Chernivtsi residents owe to talented Czech architect Josef Hlavka opens in front of us on 2, Kotsiubynsky Street. The architect created the project of stone wonder in 1860, when he was only 29 years old. The scope of works was grandiose: especially for construction works a number of special quarries were founded in Bukovyna, two brick and one ceramic factories and also schools for builders started operating in the city. Austro-Hungary had not yet seen anything like it! J. Hlavka with the help of talented craftsmen was working at his masterpiece for more than 18 years. They were building carefully and neatly. Each brick was measured and checked for sound, and one worker could not put more than a hundred bricks a day. Ensemble of the residence was built in a synthetic style of architectural elements from different epochs (eclectic). Silhouette of walls finishing, decorated with battlements resembles feudal castles in Romanesque style. Towers with domes similar to eastern minarets are Moorish elements. Sharp gable and colored roof slopes undoubtedly are an influence of European Gothic. The strictness of walls in a marvelous combination with refined ease and perfection of forged bars, rainbow radiance of tile, sparkling of the sun on steeps of domes are apprehended with genuine admiration. Interiors of the two-storey bishop’s palace were decorated with great taste. Synodal hall, decorated with arcades and painting was located in the centre of the building on the first floor. The left building of the residence – Theology Department – includes Seminary church that is saved till our times. Singings and worships were restored in the Church. In this sanctuary Alma Mater sacraments of baptism and marriages are performed by students-theologians and their spiritual mentors-teachers. The right building – school of psalm-readers – along its axis of symmetry has a clock tower. Unfortunately, not everything is preserved to this day. Synodal hall (now referred to as Marble), died in flames in 1944. Synodal library, which contained unique printed books and archives, also burned. Current interior of the Marble Hall is only a copy created by restorers. But neither luxurious crystal chandeliers, nor frescoes about history of Bukovynian Church nor marble floors can be restored. All that remained from ancient times are grates on the floor. "Marble" columns in the premise are only a successful imitation made of alabaster. However, the fire had mercy over meetings hall of the Holy Synod (current Red Hall). When coming here you get in an elegant wooden casket decorated with red Chinese silk. When raising your head – there is a wonder-ceiling above you, like a collection of Easter eggs. Under your feet there is a parquet of red beech, oak and lime green. And huge Venetian mirrors are able to rejuvenate every woman that looks into them, and save every man from sins. That is what the legend says. There's no reason not to believe as the mirrors are really expensive, Venetian: it is enough to raise a candle or lighter to it. If to take a careful look, instead of one flame one can discern even five: so many silver layers are deposited on its surface. On March 31, 1875 Franz Joseph signed the law establishing Chernivtsi University. On the centenary of the joining Austro-Hungary the city received a luxurious gift: alma mater Francisco-Josefina. Lectures given in the new oasis of science, again confirm the thesis about poly-ethnic Chernivtsi. Although the studies were conducted in German, still poetry by Kotliarevsky and Slavonic grammar were studied, Ukrainian was taught at the Department of Eastern European History. Department of the Ukrainian Language and Literature for nearly three decades was headed by remarkable linguist, Shevchenko connoisseur, social and political activist professor Stepan Smal-Stotsky, later a member-founder of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences in Kyiv, president of Mohyla Academy. Among the subjects that were taught at the university in the early twentieth century, even unusual happened: a known dance teacher Anton Files, for example, taught “Dance and Aesthetics of Arms and Legs”. Famous writer Osyp Makovey, composer Sydir Vorobkevych taught in the university. Among the students there were Ivan Franko, Denys Lukiyanovych, Alexander Kolessa, Les Martovych, lexicographer Julian Kobyliansky (brother of the writer). Fates of Myhaylo Drahomanov, Lesia Ukrayinka, Volodymyr Vynnychenko are connected with Chernivtsi University. By the way, even in times of total russification Chernivtsi University remained Ukrainian-speaking. On November 3, 1990 a yellow-blue flag loomed for the first time over the central building of the Residence. A marvelous ensemble of the residence is beautifully complemented with a garden, the park laid behind the main building is also charming with rare species of trees and romantic grottos. A bust of creator of the ensemble – Austrian architect Josef Hlavka is set in this natural oasis. Is there a university in the world more beautiful and elegant? There hardly is. The residence is the spirit of Bukovyna, a symbiosis of styles and cultures of all peoples that inhabited this region. One can draw parallels with the medieval castles or Moorish palace Alkazar in Spanish Granada, find elements of Byzantine or Romanesque architecture, look for traditional Bukovynian ornaments in the patterns of roofs, decorated with colored tiles or wonder-ceilings of the main halls, so similar to Hutzul carved caskets... All these elements together create a triumphant chord of beauty and harmony.