Zlatopilska Gymnasium

Zlatopilska Gymnasium in Novomyrhorod was founded in 1836 and is an architectural monument. It was the first four-class school, opened on the initiative of the landowners, the Lopokhunin brothers. At first, it was their residence, which they gave over for the needs of the educational institution. The school’s popularity kept growing, and the number of pupils in the classes increased every year. This led to the construction of a separate building — a boys' gymnasium, built with funds from Lazar Brodskyi and his son Izrail Brodskyi.

Photo from goldvoice.club

In 1920, the gymnasium was closed. However, by 1925, the I. Franko School was already operating here. During World War II, the institution’s premises were converted into prisons, where young people were held and later sent to Germany. This caused significant damage to the building itself and its rooms. Later, classes were still held at the gymnasium until 1989, when the building was declared unsafe.

Despite its neglect, the building of Zlatopilska Gymnasium still looks attractive. Its lavishly decorated facades still resemble a real palace.

Interesting facts:

• During the gymnasium’s operation, various well-known figures in Ukraine taught here: M. Zerov, B. Liatoshynskyi, I. Fylypovych, and H. Hrushevskyi.
• The future chairman of the UPR Directorate, writer V. Vynnychenko, studied at the gymnasium and received a diploma after completing his studies externally.
• Until the 50s of the 20th century, the gymnasium had its own gymnasium church. However, its dome with a cross was destroyed by the Soviet authorities and has still not been restored.
• The gymnasium was designed by architects Chekmarov and Arkhipov, who created the building in the eclectic style with elements of Neo-Renaissance.