Rebuilding Ukraine: Lego releases Ukrainian monument models to restore gymnasium destroyed by Russian missile
Lego Creators and United24 created new constructors dedicated to Ukrainian monuments: Kyiv Golden Gate, Bakhchysarai Khan Palace, Pidhoretsky Castle, Odesa National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet and Mykolaiv Astronomical Observatory.
United24 reports this.
"We are happy to present the second drop of the #UKRAINEinLEGOBricks initiative, which introduces the world to the sights of Ukraine. It includes five new models," the message reads.
They were created by creators from four countries:
- Eric Lowe and Mark Segedy from the United States,
- Daniel Seidl from Germany,
- Maciej Kotsot from Poland,
- Oleksandr Yermolaiev from Ukraine.
Kyiv's Golden Gate, which is more than a thousand years old, is the primary fortification gate of the capital of Kyivan Rus and one of the oldest structures in Eastern Europe.
In ancient Kyiv, the Golden Gate served multiple crucial purposes:
- as a defensive structure,
- as a grand entrance,
- and even as a place of worship.
Today, it is Kyiv's visiting card, without which it is impossible to imagine the capital of Ukraine.
The 31.2 cm tall model consists of 2520 parts.
Golden Gate of Kyiv. Photo: UNITED24
The Khan's Palace, the sole instance of Crimean Tatar palace architecture globally, served as the primary abode of the Giray dynasty, rulers of the Crimean Khanate. Since its establishment in the 16th century, it has maintained its one-of-a-kind architectural complex, blending elements of Islamic Mediterranean and Black Sea culture in Europe.
Since 2014, the Russian occupation authorities have been gradually destroying the authenticity of the building under the guise of restoration.
The Khan's Palace became a symbol of the Crimean Tatars' ancient culture and their hope of returning to their homeland.
The 20.5 cm tall model consists of 2238 parts.
Khan Palace. Photo: UNITED24
Built between 1635 and 1640, Pidhoretskyi Castle is a real gem of Western European architecture. Unlike many other buildings in the west of Ukraine, it was not built for defense but for recreation: the building project included a landscape park and two churches, and in the 18th century, a theater was built in the palace.
The World Monuments Fund has added Pidhoretsky Castle to the list of 100 objects of global historical and architectural significance that could potentially be lost to humanity.
The 23.7 cm tall model consists of 7,755 parts.
Pidhoretsky castle. Photo: UNITED24
The oldest opera house in Ukraine opened in 1810 in Odesa.
During the Second World War, the command of the Odesa Defense District allocated a particular anti-aircraft unit to protect the theater from bombing. Cannons were installed on nearby roofs, and they were on duty during the city's 73-day siege.
Just over 80 years later, anti-aircraft units and anti-tank "Czech hedgehogs" have once again been spotted around the Odesa Opera House. This time, it is due to Russia's full-scale war – the modern-day equivalent of the Nazi invaders.
Despite endless Russian shelling, the country's oldest opera house continues to operate.
The 22.7 cm tall model consists of 4,976 parts.
The oldest opera theater in Ukraine. Photo: UNITED24
The Mykolaiv Astronomical Observatory — one of the oldest maritime observatories in Eastern Europe — was founded in 1821.
During the 1960s, the Mykolaiv observatory acquired the "Carl Zeiss" zone astrograph, which has since become renowned for its highly precise photographic observations of the solar system's celestial bodies.
In 2007, the Mykolaiv observatory was added to the UNESCO Preliminary World Heritage List.
Today, this unique architectural structure is under threat of destruction due to the constant shelling of Mykolaiv by Russia.
The 20.3 cm tall model consists of 3,463 parts.
Mykolaiv Astronomical Observatory. Photo: UNITED24
Unique constructors cannot be bought; they can only be won for a contribution of $24 to reconstruct the Velyka Kostroma Gymnasium in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which was hit by a Russian missile on October 11, 2022.
There will be a total of 15 constructors drawn, with three of each type.
For reference:
It should be noted that Lego released the first models featuring notable architectural landmarks of Ukraine—the Motherland monument, the Crimean Swallow's Nest Castle, and the Mariupol old water tower—in November of last year. The funds received were directed to restoring the Kyiv region.
According to reports, Ukrainian artist Oleksandr Lapyna created a model of the well-known Mariupol water tower in the form of a construction set. However, currently, it is only shown in a picture.
