A masterpiece of Byzantine and Moorish design hidden in the heart of Ukraine
In short: Built between 1864 and 1882, the Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans is a stunning architectural fusion. Once a symbol of religious tolerance in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this UNESCO World Heritage Site now serves as the home of Chernivtsi University, housing history within its ornate, multi-cultural walls.
The Residence was born from necessity. After the Habsburg monarchy incorporated Bukovina in 1782, the local bishop’s seat was moved to Chernivtsi. The initial residence, completed in 1783, was a disaster; it was small, damp, and prone to fungal growth, eventually collapsing in 1790. For decades, successive bishops were forced to live in rented rooms until Eugenie Hacman successfully lobbied the administration in Lemberg for a dignified home. In 1860, the Religious Affairs Ministry launched a design competition, which the Czech architect Josef Hlávka won.
Hlávka’s vision was ambitious, drawing on regional building traditions and global influences, including the Alhambra. The resulting complex is a dramatic blend of Byzantine and Moorish styles. The construction process was fraught with challenges, including technical difficulties, Hlávka’s illness, and administrative friction that led to his resignation. His successor, Feliks Ksiezarski, struggled to maintain progress, but the ensemble was finally consecrated in the winter of 1882/3. The site includes the Metropolitan’s palace, a seminary, and a monastery, all arranged around a grand courtyard.
The site is rich with symbolic detail. The monastery’s clock tower features Stars of David, honoring the Jewish community’s contributions to the project. Inside, the Synodal Hall—now the Marble Hall—once displayed portraits of Austrian monarchs. The Red Hall is celebrated as a wooden jewel box with intricate wall paintings. Beyond its aesthetic value, the site holds political significance; it was here that the union of Bukovina with Romania was voted upon in 1918. After suffering damage during World War II, the complex was repurposed by the Soviet administration before being restored and eventually recognized by UNESCO in 2011.
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