We study Kiev. House with chimeras: history of creation, photo

Kiev at all times was famous for its architectural sights. Unfortunately, many of them suffered during the Second World War and were irretrievably lost, but among the surviving there are many objects that deserve attention. Among them - House with chimeras.

Kiev early 20 th century, its architectural appearance was largely due to the creator and owner of this building - Vladislav Gorodetsky, who is also the author of the projects of the Kiev Kenassa, the church of St. Nicholas and the building of the National Art Museum.

Kiev, House with chimeras: the story of one dispute

Until 1900 in the area where the theater is today. Ivan Franko, there was a vast Goat swamp. After the decision of the city authorities it was drained, the resulting land was allocated for the construction of public buildings, and the rest were auctioned to private individuals. In one of these public tenders took part the famous architect Vladislav Gorodetsky. To the surprise of his friends, he bought a lot on the cliff very cheaply. Soon after, in one of the Kiev restaurants, Gorodetsky met with two colleagues: Vladimir Leontovich and Alexander Kobelev. During the conversation, he told them about the purchase and that he intended to build a profitable house in the wasteland, using only cement and concrete. There was a dispute, because Leontovich and Kobelev did not believe that the acquired land was suitable for construction, while new building materials at that time could be used as general ones. Then Gorodetsky, who was considered an extremely venturesome man, made a big bet with them and promised that in two years he would surprise Kiev.

The house with the chimeras really began to be built on the slope next to the theater and used only cement and concrete. And all the work was done in record time. In particular, although construction was started only in March, the outer walls were completed by August 21, 1901, and the brickwork and roof were completed on September 13.

In less than two years, as a defective site appeared building, which was called the House with chimeras. Kiev, whose photo, dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, often depicts this particular structure, acquired a new attraction.

Description

Are you going to Kiev? A house with chimeras is one of those sights that you have to visit.

The building was built in the Art Nouveau style, which was very fashionable at the beginning of the 20th century, and resembles a large cube. At the same time, from the side of Ivan Franko Square the building has 6 floors, and on the side of Bank Street - three. According to the architectural concept of that era, the ceremonial, residential and business premises are isolated from each other.

Outward appearance

The exterior of the House with the chimeras is the creation of the talented Italian sculptor Elio Sal, who used in his work sketches of the very Gorodetsky, with whom he was linked by an old friendship. Researchers believe that the architect, who dreamed all his life to go hunting in Africa, created an exterior resembling a mountain range typical of the Black Continent. On its summit, according to Gorodetsky's idea, there should have been a mountain lake and a waterfall, which depicted the steps of the main entrance.

To strengthen the impression of being in Africa on the walls of the house, the concrete heads of giraffes, rhinoceroses, lions, antelopes, crocodiles and other representatives of African fauna were installed. The roof was decorated with sea monsters, giant toads and Nereids, and from its corners to the sidewalks drain pipes, disguised as trunks of elephants.

Layout of premises

Many tourists claim that the first thing to visit when you come to Kiev is a house with chimeras. The photos inside it made and presented on the advertising booklets, simply amaze with the beauty, what then to speak about reality.

Residential premises in the building are fan-shaped, which allows maximum use of natural light.

Initially on the first floor of the House with chimeras there were two stables, a laundry, which could be used by the servants of all tenants, two rooms for grooms and two apartments that were rented out. Each of them, except the bedroom and the living room, had an entrance hall, a kitchen, a bathroom and a storage room.

On the remaining floors there was one spacious apartment. There were rooms for servants, several toilets and two storage rooms.

The best apartments, consisting of 13 rooms, which were located on the fourth floor, belonged to Gorodetsky and his family. Another similar apartment was a floor above and rented out.

In relation to his tenants, Gorodetsky was a caring and hospitable host. He wanted to supply his residents with fresh milk in the mornings, so there was a small cowshed in the house. It was designed in such a way that the smell does not penetrate into the apartment.

Interiors

The interior design of the house was a continuation of the exterior. According to experts, the architect's idea was as follows: opening the front door, the visitor was to enter the foyer of the house, designed as the bottom of an African lake. Such an association was to create an image of an octopus coming down from the ceiling, and fish, the image of which was everywhere.

The interior of the house is also decorated with stained-glass windows for hunting subjects, painting and stucco molding. Even the wall lights are in the form of flowers, and the floor lamp in the lobby resembles the tails of fish, interwoven with lotuses and algae.

Destiny of the structure

Gorodetsky was an extraordinary person. His passion was hunting, which he devoted all his free time. Soon after the completion of the house, the architect fulfilled his old dream and went on a safari to Africa. On this trip he not only spent all his savings, but also owed creditors. On his return to Kiev, he had to lay his brainchild, and a little later he was sold at auction. According to the legend, Gorodetsky cursed the future owners of the building, as he parted with a heavy heart to the house where he dreamed to live until the end of his days.

The new owner of the structure was Daniil Balakhovsky, who served under the French consulate. However, he did not stay long in this capacity and soon sold the house to Samuel Nimets.

The history of the house after 1917

The October Revolution brought about great changes in the life of the city. In particular, the process of nationalization of private buildings began, including those that Kiev was proud of. The house with chimeras was among them and was turned into a big communal.

In 1921, they housed the headquarters of the logging squad, and later - the Veterinary Department of the Kiev VO.

The house with chimeras in Kiev, excursions through the halls of which are very popular among tourists, was badly damaged during the Second World War. After the expulsion of the fascists from Kiev, he remained for a while abandoned, and then he was somehow repaired and given up for housing to actors who served in the I. Franko Theater.

In the late 1960s, the Central Committee of the KP found a new home with chimeras - it was used as an elite polyclinic for the top party of Ukraine, as they would say today.

In the property of the Ministry of Health of the Ukrainian SSR the building was located until the collapse of the USSR, after which the departmental clinic was closed, and the future of the structure was under threat.

The state of the building by the early 1990s

For its more than a thousand-year history of what only monuments of architecture did not lose Kiev! A house with chimeras could comprehend the same thing. By the beginning of the nineties piles of structures ceased to perform a supporting function, and in the places of joining the tape and pile foundations the house was split into 2 parts. One of them leaned toward the presidential residence at 33 cm, and another - toward the Ivan Franko Theater at 10 cm. It became obvious that it urgently needs to take measures for reconstruction, otherwise the next generation of residents of the Ukrainian capital will no longer see the House with chimeras. Kiev will lose one of its main attractions, and architectural students will study it only from photographs.

In 1998, the Research Institute for Restoration developed a project to restore the building, but its implementation had to be postponed for a while.

Reconstruction

The project on the restoration of the House with chimeras was approved by the government of Ukraine in 2003. During the restoration work, the workers removed the ground, strengthened the foundation and restored the interiors of the rooms and paintings on the walls.

At the same time they had to face many difficulties. In particular, it was impossible to straighten the house, the slope of which towards the Bank's restorers was more than 30 cm, so it required the production of works meaning the reconstruction of the structure, and contradicted the principles of restoration. In this regard, even had to install curved window frames.

The building was built not only by the House with chimeras inside, works were also carried out to restore objects located in the surrounding territory, such as an artificial lake, a garden with a beautiful alpine slide and fountains.

How it is used today

Immediately after the completion of the reconstruction works, in November 2004, a cultural center was opened in the building. At the same time, from 3 to 5 floors were converted and turned into premises for official events. In particular, in the House with chimeras today there are halls where the ambassadorial credentials, briefings, tet-a-tete talks are held, there are rooms for solemn receptions. In addition, on the first floors there are working offices of the staff of the presidential secretariat and the state protocol.

Kiev, House with chimeras: excursions

Although the building is now used for official events, visitors are allowed to meet certain conditions.

At any time of the year there are many who want to see this landmark, including foreigners and those who first came to Kiev. A house with chimeras, an excursion inside which is conducted only for organized groups, can be visited if you have a passport in your hands. It should be remembered that photos and video shooting inside the building is prohibited.

Usually inspection of the building is combined with a visit to the mansions of Pechersk of the same period, located nearby.

Standard excursions to the House with chimeras take about 1 hour. As a rule, they are organized on Saturdays, and the tourist group can be reached only by appointment. At the same time, the approximate cost of visiting this attraction is 230 hryvnia (about 700 rubles).

House with chimeras, Kiev: address and how to get there

This famous landmark of the capital of Ukraine is on the street. Bankova (construction 10). You can get there by metro to the station "Khreshchatyk" with an exit on the street Institutskaya. Then you should go to the street Bankova. You can also get off at the metro station "Khreshchatyk" with access to Gorodetsky Street, go through I. Franko Square, past the theater, and climb up.

Now you know where the House with chimeras (Kiev) is located, how to get there, you also know, therefore, being in the capital of Ukraine, you can easily find this amazing landmark.