Residence of the Metropolitans of Bukovina and Dalmatia

The Residence of the Metropolitans of Bukovina and Dalmatia in Chernivtsi is an outstanding architectural ensemble in the Eclectic style with a predominance of the Neo-Byzantine trend, erected between 1864 and 1882 based on the design of the Czech architect Josef Hlávka on the site of the old episcopal residence. The complex, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011, consists of three monumental, two-story brick buildings—the Metropolitan, Seminary (with the Church of the Three Holy Hierarchs), and Monastic buildings—which are grouped around a grand cour d'honneur, evoking the appearance of a medieval castle. The exterior decor is striking for its use of carved stone, red terracotta, and multicolored glazed tiles arranged in patterns that mimic Bukovinian carpets. The main Metropolitan building contains magnificent halls: the majestic Marble Hall (the former Synodal Hall), decorated with white and black marble, alabaster columns, and frescoes depicting religious and historical themes; the Red Hall (the Synod Meeting Room), with an interior resembling a carved wooden jewelry box lined with Chinese silk, parquet flooring made of precious wood species, and unique Venetian mirrors; as well as the Green and Blue halls. The Seminary building was intended for the Greek Orthodox Theological Faculty and the Theological Seminary. Since 1947, the Residence has housed the Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, and the ensemble itself stands as a symbol of the peaceful coexistence of different cultures and styles, blending European achievements with regional traditions.