Studied In Kiev. The house with chimeras: history, photos

Kiev at all times been known for its architectural landmarks. Unfortunately, many of them suffered during the Second world war and was lost forever, however, and among the remaining there are many objects that deserve attention. These include the House with chimeras.

Kiev early 20th-century architectural design was largely obliged to the Creator and owner of this structure — Vladislav Gorodetsky, who is also the author of kenesa of Kiev, St. Nicholas Church and the National art Museum.

Kyiv, House with chimeras: the story of an argument

Before 1900 in the area where today is located the theater. Ivan Franko was a vast marsh Goat. After the decision of the city authorities it was drained, the resulting land was taken for the construction of public buildings, and the rest were auctioned off to private individuals. In one such public auction was attended by prominent architect Vladislav Gorodetsky. To the surprise of his friends, he was very cheap bought land on the bluff. Soon after, in one of Kiev restaurants Gorodetsky was found with two colleagues: Vladimir Leontovich and Alexander Kobelev. During the conversation he told them about the purchase and that he intends to build on the vacant lot apartment house using only cement and concrete. A dispute arose as Leontovich and males did not believe that the acquired land suitable for building, and new at the time building materials in General can be used as main. Then Gorodetsky, who was regarded as extremely betting man, made them a bet for a large sum, and promised that in 2 years he will surprise Kiev.

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The House with chimeras really began to build on the slope next to the theatre and only used the cement and concrete. All work was carried out in record time. In particular, although the construction was started only in March, exterior walls finished to build to 21 August 1901 and brickwork and the roof was completed on September 13.

In less than two years, rejected on the site there was a building called the House with chimeras. Kiev, a photo of which related to the beginning of the 20th century often depicted this structure has acquired a new attraction.

Description

Are You going to Kiev? The house with chimeras is one of those attractions that you must visit.

The Building was built in the art Nouveau style which was very fashionable in the early 20th century, and resembles a large cube. In this case, the square of Ivan Franko building has 6 floors, and from the Bankova street — three. According to the architectural concept of the era of the ceremonial, residential and business premises are isolated from each other.

External design

The Exterior of the House with chimeras is the work of a talented Italian sculptor Elio Sala, who used in their work, the sketches of Gorodetskiy, with whom he had a long-standing friendship. Researchers believe that the architect who dreamed all his life to go hunting in Africa, created the exterior, reminiscent of a mountain range characteristic of the Black continent. On top of it, the idea Gorodetsky, was supposed to be a mountain lake and waterfall, which depicted the steps of the main entrance.

To strengthen the impression of being in Africa on the walls of the house installed the concrete heads of giraffes, rhinos, lions, antelopes, crocodiles and other representatives of the African fauna. The roof was decorated with sea monsters, giant toads and Nereid, and with its angles to the sidewalks pulled downpipes disguised as the trunk of an elephant.

Layout

Many tourists say that the first thing to visit, arriving in Kiev-House with chimeras. Photos, inside him made and presented on the brochures, staggering beauty, what can we then say about reality.

The Residential premises in the building located fan, which allows maximum use of natural lighting.

Originally on the first floor of the House with chimeras were two stables, a Laundry room, which could use the servants of all the residents, two rooms for grooms and 2 apartments, which were rented out. Each of them, except for the bedroom and the living room had a hallway, a kitchen, a bathroom and a storeroom.

On the other floor there is one spacious apartment. They provide rooms for servants, several toilets and two storerooms.

Best apartment, consisting of 13 rooms, which were located on the fourth floor belonged to Gorodetsky and his family. Another such apartment was the floor above was rented.

In relation to their tenants Gorodetsky was an attentive and hospitable host. He was willing to put its residents in the morning with fresh milk, so the house was a small barn. It was designed so that the smell does not penetrate into the apartment.

Interiors

The Interior of the house was a continuation of the external. According to experts, the idea of the architect was as follows: opening the door to the main entrance, the visitor had to enter the foyer of the house, decorated like the bottom of African lakes. Such an Association was to create an image of an octopus coming down fromthe ceiling, and fish, whose image was everywhere.

The interiors of the house are also embellished with stained glass hunting theme, with paintings and stucco work. Even the wall lamps are in the shape of flowers, and a floor lamp in the lobby, reminiscent of the tails of the fish, intertwined Lotus and algae.

Destiny structures

Gorodetsky was an extraordinary personality. His passion was hunting, which he devoted all of his free time. Shortly after the completion of the house, the architect realized his dream and went on Safari in Africa. On this trip he not only spent all their savings, but also owed to creditors. After returning to Kiev, he had to pawn their offspring, and later sold it at auction. According to legend, Gorodetsky had cursed the future owners of the building, as with a heavy heart, parted with the house, where he wanted to spend the rest of her days.

The New owner of the construction were Daniel Balakhovsky, who served at the French Consulate. However, he did not remain long in this capacity, and soon sold the house to Samuel NIMETU.

History of the house after 1917

The October revolution has brought a major change in the life of the city. In particular, the process of nationalization of private buildings, including those that are proud of Kiev. The house with chimeras was among them, and was turned into a large communal.

In 1921, it has placed the headquarters of the foresty brigade, and later — the Veterinary Department of the Kiev VO.

The House with chimeras in Kiev, the tours which are very popular with tourists, was badly damaged during world war II. After the expulsion from Kiev fascists for some time he was abandoned, and then it somehow repaired and converted into a residence for actors who served in the theater of Ivan Franko.

In the late 1960s, the Communist party found the House with chimeras-new use - it was used as a, as we would say today, an elite clinic for the party leadership of Ukraine.

Owned by the Ministry of health of the USSR, the building was until the collapse of the Soviet Union, after which the departmental clinic was closed, and the future structures have been threatened.

The condition of the building at the beginning of 1990-ies

For more than thousand years of history only what the monuments did not lose Kiev! The house with chimeras was able to grasp that. In the early 90-ies of the pile of buildings has ceased to perform a supporting function and at the junction of the belt and pile foundations, the house was split into 2 parts. One of them leaned toward the presidential residence at 33 cm, and the other — in the direction of the theater named after Ivan Franko 10 cm, it Became apparent that urgent need to take measures of reconstruction, or the next generation of inhabitants of the Ukrainian capital will see the House with chimeras. Kiev will lose one of its main attractions, and architecture students will learn it only from photographs.

In 1998, the research Institute of restoration has developed the project of reconstruction of the building, however, its implementation had to be postponed for some time.

Reconstruction

The restoration Project of the House with chimeras was approved by the government of Ukraine in 2003. During restoration work, workers removed earth, strengthened the Foundation and restored the interior and murals 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 Bankova restorers was more than 30 cm is required for production work, meaning restructuring constructions, and contrary to the principles of restoration. In this regard, even had to install the curves of the window frame.

Have Built not only the House with chimeras inside has also been made to work on the restoration of objects located in which areas, such as artificial lake, a garden with beautiful Alpine slide and fountains.

How to use today

Immediately after the completion of reconstruction, in November 2004, the building was opened as a cultural centre. With 3 to 5 floors were refurbished and turned into the premises for official events. In particular, the House with chimeras today there are halls, where the ceremony of ambassadors presenting credentials, briefings, negotiations tete-a-tete rooms are available for receptions. In addition, on the first floor are located the offices of employees of the presidential Secretariat and the state Protocol.

Kyiv, House with chimeras: the tour

Although the building today is used for official events, subject to certain conditions there allow visitors in.

At any time of the year there are many who want to see this attraction, including foreigners and those who first arrived in Kiev. The house with chimeras, the tour inside is only for organized groups you can visit, if you have a passport. Remember that photography and videography inside the building is prohibited.

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

The Standard trips into the House with chimeras is about 1 hour. As a rule, they are organised on Saturdays, as part of a tour group canonly accessible by appointment. The estimated cost of visiting this attraction is 230 UAH (about 700 rubles).

The House with chimeras, Kiev: address and how to reach

This famous landmark of the capital of Ukraine located on Bankova street (building 10). You can get there by metro to station "Khreschatyk” with an exit to Institutskaya street. Then you should go to the street Bankova. You can also go to the subway station "Khreschatyk” with the entrance to Gorodetskogo street, pass through the square Franko, past the theatre and climb up.

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