united24 turns ukrainian architecture into LEGO building sets

united24 REBUILDs UKRAINE, LEGO BRICK BY LEGO BRICK

United24, Ukraine’s official fundraising platform, has partnered with several LEGO creators to produce five unique building sets that recreate iconic Ukrainian landmarks. The project features sets of The Golden Gate, Khan Palace, Pidhirtsi Castle, Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, and Mykolaiv Astronomical Observatory. Interested individuals can win one of these sets by making a donation of $24 or more towards rebuilding a school in Ukraine. A total of 15 sets—three for each model—will be raffled off.

the Khan Palace built by Polish LEGO creator Maciej Kocot | all images courtesy of United24

the Khan Palace

One of the five LEGO sets presented by United24 (find more here) is the Khan Palace in Crimea. This palace is the only example of Crimean Tatar palace architecture in the world and served as the main residence of the Crimean Khanate rulers, the House of Giray. Built in the 16th century, it remains a unique architectural complex representing Islamic Mediterranean and Black Sea culture in Europe. According to United24, since 2014, the occupying Russian authorities have been gradually destroying the building’s authentic structure under the guise of restoration.

close-up of the Khan Palace building set

the ODESA NATIONAL ACADEMIC OPERA AND BALLET THEATRE

The building sets also feature the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the oldest opera house in Ukraine, which opened in 1810. During World War II, a special anti-aircraft unit was assigned to protect the theater from bombing, with guns installed on nearby roofs to defend the city during the 73-day siege. Over 80 years later, anti-aircraft units and anti-tank ‘hedgehogs’ have reappeared around the opera house due to the current conflict. Despite ongoing shelling, Ukraine’s oldest opera house continues to operate. ‘This model comprises nearly 5,000 bricks and features complex angles and curves, making it one of my most challenging yet rewarding builds,’ says German LEGO creator Daniel Seidl.

the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre LEGO set by Daniel Seidl

close-up shot of the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre set

the PIDHIRTSI CASTLE

Constructed between 1635 and 1640, Pidhirtsi Castle stands as a true gem of Western European architecture and serves as an iconic addition to the building sets that will be raffled. Unlike numerous other structures in Western Ukraine, Pidhirtsi Castle was not built for defensive purposes but rather for leisure. The extensive building project encompassed a landscape park and two churches, and in the 18th century, a theater was added within the palace grounds. Recognizing its significance, the World Monuments Fund has included Pidhirtsi Castle in the list of 100 objects of world historical and architectural heritage that are at risk of being lost to humanity.

close-up shot of the Pidhirtsi Castle set

the GOLDEN GATE

United24 also introduces a LEGO building set featuring the Golden Gate. This iconic structure, over a thousand years old, served as the main gate for the capital of the Kyivan Rus and stands as one of the oldest buildings in Eastern Europe. In medieval Kyiv, the Golden Gate fulfilled multiple vital roles—it was a defensive stronghold, a grand entrance, and even housed a church. Today, it remains Kyiv’s hallmark—a symbol synonymous with the capital of Ukraine. ‘I was truly humbled to design the Golden Gate set. I really enjoyed the challenge of combining a stone-based castle with a wooden structure,’ says the creator behind the LEGO version of the building, Eric Law.

the Golden Gate bulding set by Eric Law

detail of the Golden Gate set

MYKOLAIV ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY

Last but certainly not least, among the LEGO sets is the Mykolaiv Astronomical Observatory, established in 1821 and recognized as one of the oldest naval observatories in Eastern Europe. In the early 1960s, it acquired the Carl Zeiss zone astrograph, enhancing its capabilities significantly. Since then, its photographic observations of celestial bodies within the solar system are renowned for their accuracy, ranking among the finest in the world. Notably, in 2007, the Mykolaiv Observatory earned a place on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage Sites. ‘Today, this unique architectural structure is under threat of destruction due to the constant shelling of Mykolaiv by Russia,’ writes United24.

the Mykolaiv Astronomical Observatory LEGO set by Alexander Yermolaev