Kimry Art Nouveau

27 points3 km4 hours

Today we'll stroll through the historic center of what was one of the largest villages in the Russian Empire. Before the revolution, Kimry was home to peasant shoemakers who supplied leather goods and footwear to practically the whole country. Every peasant or merchant felt duty-bound to build a bright, handsome house to stand out from the neighbors. That's why Kimry has kept a unique set of peasant-built architecture, which we'll explore from every angle on today's walk.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

📜 Learn the city's history
🏛️🕰️ Compare the eras
🔍🖼️ Spot interesting details

Route points (27)

House of the Peasant Vladimir Spiridonovich Shokin in Kimry

Point on route “Kimry Art Nouveau”

Point 10

House of the Peasant Vladimir Spiridonovich Shokin

🏟️ Architectural landmark • 📜 Historic site

Historical Background

The house of the peasant V. S. Shokin was built in 1915–1917 in the Nordic Art Nouveau style. Vladimir Spiridonovich built it for his family, but they never got to move in: the interior finishing dragged on for several years, and in January 1918 the new authorities nationalized the house. From 1918 to this day it has housed a printing press. The building is unique in a way, because it has barely been restored since it was built. The original facade finish of gray cement with quartz chips survives; the cement rustication of the ground floor, imitating natural stone, is especially striking. The building is asymmetrical, and its original round window, semicircular window, little balcony and rounded bay window have survived, as has an old wooden door with its original stained glass.