House of Chimeras

House of Chimeras

House of Chimeras is located in Kyiv and is an Art Nouveau building that looks quite bizarre. It was designed and built in 1902 by Vladislav Gorodetsky and has been used as a residence for - and diplomats since 2005.

Between 1901 and 1902, Vladislav Gorodetsky began constructing this building, originally intending it to be his own luxury apartment. However, as the years passed, due to financial reasons, he sold his meticulously designed apartment. Nevertheless, the final exterior and interior of the building were reconstructed and decorated according to his original design. The external decorations of House of Chimeras feature various animal sculptures, such as mermaids, crocodiles, dolphins, toads, catfish, lizards, and elephants, all vividly and lifelike.

There are different legends about the construction of House of Chimeras. One story says the architect made a bet with other architects that he could build a house on this terrain. Another legend claims that the architect’s daughter committed suicide by jumping into the Dnipro River after a broken heart, and the grieving father designed the House of Chimeras as her underground tomb, with the animals representing the river spirits that accompany her.

House with Chimaeras

Must-visit reason: The most bizarre building in Kyiv

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Ukraine[Ukraine]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Kyiv Oblast [Kiev Oblast]

City where the attraction is located: Kyiv [Kiev]