This magnificent house of pleasant turquois color is undoubtedly the highlight of the historical Zastryzhennia (a district of Chernihiv on the left bank of the Stryzhen river). Located on old Mykhailofedorivska street, it embodies the best techniques of wooden architecture in its decoration.
An open four-window façade with a front door is visually divided into two unequal parts. Lateral pilasters which flange the façade are decorated with a winding ornament topped with palmettes – elements shaped as palm leaves. The pilasters end with small, nice-looking crowns.
The cornice consists of a row of vertical ornately shaped planks, the so-called embroidered towels. The frieze demonstrates the same ornate finishing as that of the pilasters, which in its landscape layout reminds of a stylized number eight – the symbol of infinity.
It’s worth taking special pride in the front doors which are preserved in their original appearance and still perform their direct function, which is rather an exception when looking at most houses with old doors facing the street. Door panels are executed with a so-called diamond rustication catapulting passersby to the days of old Chernihiv – a welcoming city keen on friendly visits. An original forged roof over the porch complements the elaborate wooden lacework with a not less sophisticated forged decoration.
It is difficult to identify the name of the exact owner among numerous Cossack, noble and middle-class families which inhabited this part of the city. However, it is said that the house could have belonged to an old and renown Yenkiv family.
For more information on the wooden architecture of Chernihiv and ready walking routes please visit https://demer.cn.ua/en/