Ushkova House (Kazan)

Photos

  • Дом Ушковой (Казань). Photo 1
  • Дом Ушковой (Казань). Photo 2
  • Дом Ушковой (Казань). Photo 3
  • Дом Ушковой (Казань). Photo 4
  • Дом Ушковой (Казань). Photo 5
  • Дом Ушковой (Казань). Photo 6

Description

The house of Zinaida Nikolaevna Ushkova in Kazan is an outstanding example of early 20th century architecture in an eclectic style. This is a two-story brick building with small flat risalits on the facades, which is externally distinguished by its plastered finish.

The architectural composition of the house, its decorative decoration and interior are distinguished by high craftsmanship, despite the mixture of different styles. On the facades of the building you can see elements of Baroque, Empire and other styles. The lower floor of the house has a deep horizontal rustication, treated to look like a fur coat, and rectangular window displays, decorated with profiled drafts and metal sandals.

The upper part of the facades is decorated with stucco ornaments with Baroque elements, and the most important compositional parts of the building are highlighted with images of eagles and dragons. The windows on the upper floor have various shapes and are framed with exquisite decoration with intertwined garlands and pilasters.

The interior of the house is also superbly executed and reflects various styles, such as Empire, Baroque, Rococo and pseudo-oriental styles. The rooms use a variety of furniture to match the style of each room, and the floors are often made of stacked parquet.

Particularly noteworthy are rooms such as the Empire style state room with rich ornamentation, the Rococo dining room with a marble fireplace and the Moorish room with doors decorated with Arabic script.

Also worth noting is the unique “grotto garden” on the top floor, which imitates a cave with stalactites and climbing plants.

The Ushkova House has a rich history, from its construction at the beginning of the 20th century to its use as the main library building. Today it is a federal cultural heritage site awaiting restoration for a new use.

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