Chernihiv Regional Youth Library

Erected at the end of the 18th century, the library building survived shelling by the Bolsheviks in 1918-1919 and the Second World War under the bombs of the German Nazis. But it was ruined as a result of an airstrike by Russian troops on March 11, 2022. 

At the end of the 19th century, the craft class of the orphanage functioned in this building. During 1900-1901, it was rebuilt in the pseudo-Gothic style — decorated with pointed arches and pilasters of various shapes. And in 1902, the Museum of Ukrainian Antiquities, one of the first and most famous museums of Ukraine, was opened here.

From the beginning, the museum bore the name of patron and collector Vasyl Tarnovsky. The exhibition was based on his unique collection of historical and cultural relics. An important part of the collection was Shevchenkiana. Tarnovsky was an ardent admirer of the poet and, until the end of his life, collected monuments and materials related to him. 

Among the most famous collections of the museum are monuments of the archeology of primitive societies and Kyivan Rus, autographs of state and cultural figures, more than 1,500 portraits of prominent historical figures, rare manuscripts, and old prints. Of special value was the section of Cossack antiquities, which contained about 1,000 monuments. Subsequently, Tarnovsky's collection became part of the Chernihiv Historical Museum and other museums. 

In 1978, a youth library was opened in the museum building; its collection included more than 60,000 publications. In recent years, more than 10,000 young residents of Chernihiv had the opportunity to use printed publications. Until the Russians dropped three high-explosive 500-kilogram bombs on the courtyard of the library and the stadium near it.