Metropolitans’ Residence of Bukovyna and Dalmatia

World Heritage

The Metropolitans’ Residence of Bukovyna and Dalmatia is a nationally protected architectural landmark located in the heart of Chernivtsi. In 2011, its central ensemble was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The complex was built in the 19th century under the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Designed by architect Josef Hlávka, it brings together national, Byzantine, Gothic, and Baroque elements—an outstanding example of historicism that embodies the cultural identity of the Orthodox Church in a diverse, multiethnic society.

Today, the buildings house Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University. As a World Heritage site, the residence calls not only for preservation, but for thoughtful spatial renewal. Openness, integrity, and the restoration of its historic identity are key principles shaping this transformation.

Urban Context and Historical Overview

Historical Use of the Site at Its Peak

The buildings on three sides form a cour d'honneur — a space reminiscent of a Baroque ceremonial courtyard. Historical photographs reveal a curious detail: people once walked freely along the central gravel path. In the early days of the residence, this area also served for carriages to pass through, with a circular turnaround in front of the main entrance.

The cour d'honneur connects important routes and offers striking viewpoints within the ensemble.

A physical connection with the city reflects how the residence was woven into the life of Chernivtsi. Today, University Street visually extends the composition, continuing the architectural axis of the ensemble.

Part of the arboretum was formed from rare plants gifted to Metropolitan Eugene Hakman, the founder of the diocese. With its lake, fountains, and refined landscape design, the park was once one of the most beloved places for walks during the height of the residence’s life — and it remains an essential part of its spatial identity today.  

Challenges

Experiencing the Residence today is often difficult due to restricted access. A checkpoint at the main gate and a system of formal regulations limit entry. While these measures aim to protect the heritage, they also strip the space of vitality and detach it from everyday urban life.

Most rules on the premises take the form of prohibitions. Tourists are discouraged from visiting independently, required to join guided tours, and are denied access to large portions of the complex — including the dendrological park. Students can enter only during class hours. Even the central gravel path, once the ceremonial axis of the Residence, is closed to visitors — its inaccessibility reinforced by local myths. Over time, these restrictions have become a defining feature of the site.

Over time, the facades of the Residence have slowly vanished behind overgrown tree canopies. Once formal plantings have taken on a wild, unkempt character — turning the historic layout into a dense forest where architecture fades from view. Without intervention, the landscape continues to change. A green wall now stands between the city and its landmark.  

Walls have grown not only around the Residence, but also within it. Once they served to separate the functional zones — the service yard, the park, the forecourt. But the functions are gone, and the fences remain. They fragment the site, replacing visual and spatial continuity with disconnection.

The Residence has lost its connection to the city. The institution functions in isolation, physically cut off behind a wall. Yet what lies beyond is a World Heritage Site — one that needs care, visibility, and public engagement. Hiding a treasure is rarely the best way to protect it.

Workshop

In spring 2022, we organized a workshop to rethink the public space of the Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans. University students explored the site, analyzed user needs, and proposed ideas for its future development.

The selected slides reflect key insights and observations from the workshop — many of which later shaped the core of the restoration concept.

Spatial Research

The maps from the development concept show the distribution of green spaces and public areas in the central part of the city. The dendropark within the Residence and the nearby Fedkovych Park are the two largest green areas in this district.

Currently, the Residence is accessible only via a single tourist route along Universytetska Street. We propose an additional pedestrian route through Marka Vovchka Street, connecting the site to Philharmonic Square and the historic city center.

Another key move is restoring the lost connection between Krymska and Hlavky streets — creating a continuous loop around the Residence with direct access to Fedkovych Park.

Concept

The main gate of the Residence is meant to invite, not to stop. Through the open doors, the ceremonial courtyard flows into the street — reconnecting the territory with the life of the city.

The elevated location offers new vantage points for the city. From here, sweeping panoramas unfold — and the top of the tower becomes the highest public viewpoint in Chernivtsi.

A view once reserved for the metropolitans is now revealed to all. It amplifies the experience of the entire architectural ensemble.

Removing the walls weaves spaces, architecture, and landscape into a continuous fabric. The territory flows and transforms.

Restoring the Historic Appearance

The landscape is an integral part of the original composition. The residence buildings form a ceremonial courtyard — the cour d'honneur — designed as a unified whole together with the architecture. The planting scheme reflects the historic appearance and stylistic motifs of the buildings.  

The cour d’honneur was conceived as a spatial counterpart to the architectural ensemble. By design, untamed nature was placed beyond the formal zone. The contrast between the geometric courtyard and the natural dendrological park heightens the experience of the site. Restoring the original landscape idea is a gradual and long-term process — the final step in the transformation.  

The most thoughtful way to restore the original landscape is to relocate existing plants rather than remove them. To prevent damage, root systems are carefully prepared in advance. Mature trees of appropriate size are then replanted to reflect the historical design.

Along Kotsyubynskoho Street, a row of trees once shaped the street profile. We restore this greenery too — reinforcing the boundary between the city and the residence.

An Open Space for Everyone

The unique magnetism of the Residence lies in its diversity. Locals will stroll through the dendrological park, among rare plants and quiet ponds. Students will gather and relax on the open lawn. Tourists will find everything they need at the information hub. The museum will welcome curious visitors. Those drawn to historical beauty will finally see the cour d’honneur in its original form. And guests of the city will be drawn to the highest public viewpoint in Chernivtsi.

Cafés and events will invite people to stay longer and return.

To visit the Residence means to discover something new — inspiration, connections, or simply a different way to see the city. To be here is to become part of its living story.

Cour d’honneur. The Inner Courtyard of the Historic Ensemble

The open gate invites visitors into the heart of the Residence. A central axis leads them down a straight path, flanked by the symmetrical wings of the complex. The geometry of the cour d’honneur unfolds through carefully framed views and perspectives — it’s a space designed to be seen in motion.

This courtyard was made to be observed and appreciated. To fully experience its atmosphere, one must spend time here — with places to sit and pause. The neatly clipped greenery frames the architecture, reinforcing the balance between built form and landscape.

The view from the balcony of the Metropolitan’s building reveals a perspective long hidden. From this vantage point, one sees the same composition the Metropolitans of Bukovyna and Dalmatia once admired — a powerful reminder of the vision behind the entire ensemble.

Pedestrian Alley

With the main gate now open, visitors are welcomed to walk along the gravel path and pause. Previously, tourists avoided the alley, rushing past on narrow side paths. Now, the central axis becomes an active public space — a place to stay, not just pass through.

People linger longer, sit on garden chairs, and take in the primary perspective of the ensemble. What was once a narrow passageway is transformed into a welcoming promenade — the Residence’s open-air living room.

Parterre

Today, dense thickets of trees and shrubs obscure the ensemble’s architectural views. Instead, the original parterre planting scheme is restored as an integral part of the composition.

A space that people once passed through quickly becomes a new point of attraction. To invite pause and quiet contemplation, we add circular benches offering open views of all surrounding buildings.

Balcony

Today, visitors to the Marble Hall often have no idea that just beyond it lies one of the most captivating views in the entire complex.

We restore this essential element of the original design — the link between interior and exterior, between intimacy and grandeur.
Now, visitors can step out onto the balcony and see the landscape just as the metropolitans once did.

Visitor Hub — A Contemporary Civic Space

The former stable yard serves as the second gateway into the complex. Located at the junction of two streets and set apart from the main buildings, it forms a modern public space that integrates well with the city while preserving the quiet of the historic ensemble.

The layout echoes the structure of a town: events take place on the central square, viewed from the amphitheater; students enjoy coffee breaks from the business school; people meet on the café terraces or relax in the shaded garden.

The facades of surrounding buildings define the courtyard, drawing visitors in and supporting an active public life. The area includes a café, restrooms, a tourist information point, and a shop with branded items. The university offers educational services and co-working space here.

The hub is fully woven into the urban fabric. It’s entirely accessible, with entrances from Kotsiubynskoho and Hlavky Streets, and connects seamlessly and barrier-free with the rest of the Residence.

Entrance Area

This part of the Residence is currently enclosed by a solid wall and a closed gate — a legacy of its former use as a stable yard. But its new public role as a visitor hub calls for visibility and connection to the city.

The solid wall is replaced with a transparent metal fence, opening visual access from the street. The gate on Kotsiubynskoho Street is reopened, and a new ramp creates a smooth, barrier-free connection to Hlavky Street.

The result is a unified, accessible, and welcoming space that invites people in rather than keeping them out.

Buildings

The square is framed by buildings that have lost their original purpose or remain unused. The former stable is repurposed to host services for the visitor hub and small businesses.

The nearby Geography Department building faces the square with its lower-level spaces. These currently remain closed off — the entrance from the courtyard is literally bricked up. We reopen this access and activate the ground floor by introducing a business school that offers professional education and draws educational tourism.

Historic interiors are adapted for classrooms, coworking spaces, and a café — transforming the area into a vibrant, multifunctional urban space with a strong educational core.

Amphitheater

The fourth edge of the square is defined by a change in elevation — making it an ideal place for an amphitheater. Its active side opens onto the square, serving as a platform for performances, film screenings, or simply observing daily life.

The quieter side is nestled in greenery, offering a more intimate setting. Two new connections link the upper and lower levels: a wide staircase integrated into the seating and a gentle ramp that cuts through the retaining wall.

Courtyard at the View Tower

A quiet spot to rest, gather, and decide where to go next — up the tower, into the museum, or off into the park. This open and neutral space, centered around an old oak tree, serves as a moment of pause.

From here, you can access the highest viewpoint in the city — the top of the tower — or step into the museum to explore the history of the Residence and see artifacts from the time of the metropolitans.

The majestic oak hints at what lies just beyond: the dendrological park with its extraordinary collection of plants. Even here, you can already feel the cool breath of the trees.

The Arboretum

The arboretum captivates with its layered beauty, rich vegetation, and remarkable diversity of species. The only thing it lacks — is access.  

Natural Integration
Five out of the eight hectares of the site are occupied by the arboretum — its importance is undeniable. This natural landscape is not separate from the residence but part of its very essence. The hilly terrain forms gentle slopes, while winding paths lead visitors through rises and descents, toward the water and the grotto. Nature is not an addition — it’s embedded in the core of the ensemble.

Diversity
The arboretum is a multi-layered ecosystem, shaped by history and design. It holds a rare botanical collection started by Yevhen Hakman and cultivated by gardeners Viktor Pauli and Hermann Langer. It features dramatic changes in elevation, a unique grotto, and three types of water elements: a lake, ornamental fountains, and a well.

Experiences
Here you can watch fish glide beneath the water's surface and listen to birdsong in the canopy. Touch the calm lake or drink from the historic well. Step into summer during winter inside the greenhouse. Families can gather at the garden café and even take home a plant grown from Hakman’s original collection.

The Lake

People are drawn to water — it brings coolness and creates a unique microclimate. A park with a natural body of water within walking distance is a rare and valuable asset for the city. This is the only park of its kind in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The lake weaves nature into a richer experience through reflection. Water mirrors the trees above, blending ripples, flickers of light, glimpses of fish, and the subtle movement of water lilies. It offers a moment of stillness at the very heart of the park.

Winding through the landscape, the paths lead to the concrete lake basin, descend into the depths of a grotto, and emerge at a mysterious monument that once served as a landmark. These sculptural forms need restoration to once again become highlights of the park.

The trails of the dendrological park open up to sweeping city views — a panorama stretched across the hills.

The Greenhouse

The greenhouse extends the park into a new dimension — blending immersion in greenery with the comfort of a family café. It’s a place to pause and stay a while, offering drinks, food, and essential amenities for a public space. Visitors can take shelter from the rain or warm up in winter.

The terrace opens onto a majestic beech tree. Its vast canopy rises high above, embracing the space with its grandeur.

These structures once nurtured the park’s plant collection. The new vision revives that legacy — bringing life back to the greenhouses and drawing the park closer to its visitors. Now, they house a greenhouse café and a plant market. Guests can purchase a seedling to take home or join a local botany club.

Caring for the plant collection becomes a shared responsibility: visitors are invited to become patrons of the park’s greenery.

The Student Lawn

An Open Space for Free Thinking
Freedom and openness — this lawn reflects the spirit of student life. It doesn’t prescribe what to do. Instead, it becomes what people make of it. Students gather here to study, unwind, and connect. It’s a space shaped by human presence — by shared time, conversation, and spontaneity.

Flexible and Informal
The lawn is designed to be adaptable. It invites both solitude and community. No rigid infrastructure — just a welcoming landscape that easily transforms into an outdoor classroom, a meeting spot, or a quiet retreat.

Space for Many Scenarios
This openness allows for a wide range of uses:
open-air lectures, reading in the grass, yoga sessions, frisbee games, acoustic concerts, or full-scale festivals.
A paved platform can accommodate sports, informal parking, or become a stage foundation for larger events.

The Meadow

The meadow was once part of the park.
Today, it’s used as a service yard — with garages and an empty, disconnected lawn.
We reintegrate it into the park, linking it back to the cour d'honneur.
This connection creates a new entrance and gives the park more openness and flow.

Barriers

The meadow was once a natural extension of the park.
Now, it’s a leftover space—walled off and disconnected.
By removing the barrier, we let the park flow back in, reconnecting the landscape into one continuous whole around the residence.
Trees frame the meadow, bringing shade and softness to the sun-exposed southwest sides of the building.

Potential in the Void

Today, this is an empty space with untapped potential.
At the same time, there's a clear need for a place where students can feel free — to gather, relax, and connect.
The Residence also lacks spaces for large-scale cultural events: exhibitions, concerts, festivals.
This open meadow, free of fixed function, becomes the ideal location.
We introduce new seating and amenities around the perimeter, unlocking a wide range of possible uses.

Garden of Yevhen Hakman

This blooming courtyard continues the rich ornamentation of the church interior.
Stepping inside, the noise fades — and time seems to pause.
Thoughts rise toward the divine.
There’s a quiet sense of grandeur and calm.
The space is filled with a sacred atmosphere, evoking the presence of Yevhen Hakman — founder of the Metropolis, and a prominent religious, civic, political, and cultural figure.
This garden carries his name — the Garden of Metropolitan Yevhen Hakman.

Authenticity in the Details