Maidan Svobody ('Freedom Square') (Kharkiv)

 square, interesting place, invisible

Freedom or Liberty Square (Ukrainian: Майдан Свободи, Maidan Svobody; Russian: Площадь Свободы, Ploshchad Svobody) in Kharkiv is one of the largest city squares in Europe.

In 19th-20th centuries here was the Veterynarna Ploshcha (Veterinary Square), because here was the building of the Veterinary Institute (since 1962 new Palace of Pioneers was located in its building, now – the Regional Children and Youth Creativity Palace). The most part of this area was a wasteland.

Since inception (planning – 1923-1925, paving – 1930-1931) to 1991 this square was called Dzerzhynskoho Square after 'iron' Felix Dzerzhynskyi, the founder of the Bolshevik secret police (the CheKa, precursor of the KGB).
In 1991, when Ukraine became independent, it was renamed to Maidan Svobody ('Freedom Square').

A monumental statue of Lenin was erected on the square in 1964, and was demolished in 2014.

The main part of the square is limited to the west by the place of former Lenin monument, to the east by Sumska Street, to the north by the 'Kharkiv' hotel and to the south by Shevchenko garden/park.

It is approximately 690-750 meters long and 96-125 meters wide.
The total area is approximately 12 hectares (30 acres).