In Starokonyushenny Lane there is an unremarkable mansion, as if coming out of a Russian fairy tale about a hut on chicken legs. This house does not stand out too much from the rest of the buildings, but this does not prevent it from being a valuable cultural object of federal significance. This unpretentious building is the Porokhovschikovs' mansion, which has been the place of residence and work of many talented and creative people. Next to it is another house, more elaborate in its appearance. It also belonged to Alexander Porokhovshchikov - a well-known philanthropist and public figure - and was the premises where great decisions were made and incredible ideas were put into practice.
Mansion Location
The last house of the Porokhovshchikovs is located in the very center of Moscow, at the address: Starokonyushenny lane, house 36. Today it is an object of cultural heritage of Russia and a tourist attraction. A photo of Porokhovschikov’s house is available below.
The mansion was built next to the already existing apartment building on the Arbat, at that time transferred to the Russian Society of Doctors. Only the new house was facing the Starokonyushenny lane. The old mansion is also preserved, but no longer belonged to its owner.
The appearance of the house
The Porokhovschikovs' House in Starokonyushenny combines two extremes in its appearance: a picturesque architectural view and fairly overall dimensions. The building was built on an ancient foundation of wood in the 19th century, which until now has not been restored, leaving it in its original form. The mansion itself consists of massive logs stacked on top of each other.
In the photo of the Porokhovschikovs' house on Arbat, it can be seen that the building looks more elaborate than the neighboring one. It is made in the Gothic style, has three floors, towering above the rest of the mansions.
The Gunpowder's apartment buildings have a rich cultural heritage. At one time, many famous people lived and worked here. Therefore, to date, the house of the Gunpowder is a place of excursions for many lovers of cultural values.
Mansion architecture
The house on Starokonyushenny was built on an ancient wooden foundation, which has been preserved in its original form to this day. Large logs are stacked on top of the foundation, forming an example of Russian architecture of that time. In addition, the entire appearance of the mansion is made in the national style. On the walls there are decorations - carved cornices, patterned platbands and valances.
Despite the rather inconspicuous appearance, the Porokhovschikovs' house in Starokonyushenny has gained fame around the world thanks to traditional architecture. He was presented at the World Exhibition in Vienna in 1873 as a contestant. And even won one of the main prizes in the field of architecture.
The mansion was designed by architects D.V. Lyushin and A.L. Gun. The house of Alexander Porokhovshchikov - a public figure and philanthropist - was created by his personal order. It was built in 1871, and later the famous woodcarver Kolpakov created a completed look for the mansion, decorating it with patterns. The construction is its own interpretation of architects and builders of Russian folk art. The exterior of the house does not copy elements of traditional architecture, but creates their transformed appearance.
Mansion Project Creator
Gun Andrei Leontyevich - the main author of the project of the Porokhovschikovs' house - was born in 1841. He was educated at the Imperial Academy of Arts in Architecture. Since 1907, he became its full member, took an active part in the development of many projects of buildings in St. Petersburg. There he was a teacher at the School of Civil Engineers. Along with this, he participated in improving the appearance of his native city.
Nevertheless, some projects of A. L. Guna are also found in Moscow. One of his most famous works is the construction of a part of the building of the Slavic Bazaar restaurant along Nikolskaya Street. There, Andrei Gun performed the decoration of the concert hall, creating its original interior. Unfortunately, to date, this work has not been preserved. Therefore, the house of Porokhovshchikov in Starokonyushenny Lane is the most vivid example of the author of the style of architecture in Moscow.
Lease home space
Alexander Porokhovshchikov outlined a project to create his apartment building on the site of an existing building - the old mansion of state adviser and public figure Nikolai Griboedov. It was a close relative of the famous classic whose house was also a historically important place. He was visited by great people, famous personalities lived here.
At one time, Griboedov’s mansion was home to Denis Davydov, a poet whom Pushkin called his mentor. Alexander Sergeyevich said that “Denis Davydov himself taught him to be original and not to become anybody’s imitator.” Being a lyceum student, the poet often went to the house on the Arbat, amazed at the firm principles and worldview of his master. Davydov - the general, commander of the partisan movement - was happy to host young Pushkin, giving him valuable advice and life lessons.
Build process
In 1869, Porokhovshchikov bought a plot of land on the Arbat and, according to the project of architect Robert Gedike, built a new house there, so unusual for the inhabitants of the street. It was a Gothic-style building, decorated with spiers and carved fences, made with the usual scope for a philanthropist. The photo of the Porokhovschikovs' house on Arbat shows that the mansion consists of three floors, has windows of different shapes and looks out of place among other buildings - representatives of the classicism style.
Next to this site Porokhovshchikov is building another rental house, which is also different in architecture from others. It will be a traditional Russian hut designed by A. G. Gun. Only unlike the first, this mansion remained in the full ownership of the owner until the end of his life.
History of the Gunpowder Mansions
The history of the house of Porokhovshchikov is rich in famous names and significant dates. The mansion on the Arbat was originally built as rental housing. For a long time, Russian doctors worked here, occupying most of the area. After some time, the philanthropist Alexander Porokhovshchikov gave the building to medical workers for private use, leaving only a mansion in Starokonyushenny.
Initially, the building, outwardly very similar to a hut, was intended for the residence of members of the Porokhovshchikov family. But some time later, too, it turned into a semblance of a tenement house, giving shelter to many famous public figures.
Apartment building
Porokhovshchikov’s house in Starokonyushenny seemed outwardly small. But in reality, at different times, the agency for selling Chikolev's sewing machines, the editorial office of a well-known newspaper, the society of teachers with a school attached to it, and many other organizations were located there. Later, the philosopher Sergei Trubetskoy lived in the house for a long time. In Soviet times, the Dobrolyubov Public Library and the Museum of Glory named after the 77th Division were located here.
The house on the Arbat was "sheltered" by the Society of Russian Doctors, who received patients and performed operations there.
Society of Russian Doctors
In the mid-19th century, the Society of Russian Doctors settled in one of the buildings on the Arbat. One of the central pharmacies was located there, as well as a public hospital where doctors diagnosed patients. But soon, medical workers were forced to leave their homes because of disagreements with the owner of the leased premises. Therefore, they had to look for a new place for the hospital, and nearby, so that later there would be disagreements with competitors. This place was the apartment house of the Porokhovshchikovs on the Arbat.
The creation of the Society of Russian Doctors was a response to the existence of the Society of German Doctors, who wanted to monopolize medicine in Moscow in order to increase earnings. Moscow doctors, on the other hand, took about 20 kopecks per patient, which was a symbolic sum. If the patient did not have money at all, then he was treated for free. The pharmacy at the hospital also provided medicines to patients at no cost.
The Society of Russian Doctors became the place where many famous scientists in the field of medicine began their activities. Fyodor Inozemtsev, the founder of the company, first performed surgery under general ether anesthesia. The well-known oncologist Petr Herzen began his practice here, as well as the creator of the healing water Smirnov. The clinic was equipped with the first physiotherapy room.
Drawing lessons
Doctors from Russian society, who settled on the Arbat, not only treated the sick, but also published newspapers and lecture courses. At the beginning of the 20th century, Arbat was inhabited by doctors and doctors, and not by people of art, as is commonly believed. At the same time, artists and writers coexisted with doctors and created their works while in the next room. So, "Drawing and Painting Classes" were also located in the house of Porokhovshchikovs on the Arbat and here they put their plans into practice. The second floor of the mansion was occupied by creative people who worked under the leadership of Yuon and Dudin.
Painters, in addition, was not alien to politics. And when in 1905, numerous members of the society of the classes of drawing and painting took to the barricades to defend their views, the society almost came to a close.
On the third floor of the house on Arbat there were furnished rooms. Here, at one time, the famous mathematician Luzin, the founding author of the school of independent thinking, lived.
House on Starokonyushenny
The first tenant of the Porokhovshchikov mansion on Starokonyushenny was Chikolev, who organized a neck machine sales agency here. After him, the publishing houses of the Gazeta Gatsuka newspaper and the Calendar newspaper settled in the building.
At the end of the 19th century, there was also a school of the Society of Teachers and Teachers, where lessons were taught in mathematics, science and singing. Later, the mansion was converted into rental housing for wealthy people, where the philosopher Trubetskoy lived and worked for a long time.
In Soviet times, the Dobrolyubov Library and the Museum of Military Glory of the 77th Rifle Division were located in the houses on Starokonyushenny. There are many legends that during this period a secret object of the Soviet authorities was located in the basement of the building. It tortured people with valuable information to the government. But the veracity of these stories remains unproven.
At the end of the 20th century, the house on Starokonyushennoye fell into disrepair. It no longer housed cultural sites and did not live famous people. To this day it is in disrepair, it requires a large amount of material costs for restoration.
