Merchant Rybinsk

12 points4 km3 hours

Since the 18th century Rybinsk has been an important stop on the route from the Volga region to the Baltic. Over its history it earned the title of “Russia's barge hauler capital,” the country's highest government bodies consulted the brokers of its exchange, and the town is also the birthplace of founders of Hollywood. Take a walk and discover the fascinating stories of this corner of “deep Russia”!

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

📜 Learn the city's history
🏛️🕰️ Compare the eras

Route points (12)

Artists' House in Rybinsk

Point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

Point 2

Artists' House

🏟️ Architectural landmark

Architecture

The Artists' House is an example of Russian-style wooden architecture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its two stories are pierced with 15 windows framed by richly patterned carved surrounds; be sure to photograph them for your collection! You can also spot an openwork semicircular balcony on the corner of the building. At the ends of the building there are two projections above the entrance doors, called oriels, which turn into small turrets, and in the middle, at the corner, two tall tent roofs topped with barrel-shaped crowns. And to think that originally this was just an outbuilding with a second story added on!

The Merchant S. G. Gordeev

Speaking of this house, it's worth starting with its owner, the merchant S. G. Gordeev. Not much is known about him, but by all accounts he came from the lower classes. He grew rich trading grain and dealing in real estate during Rybinsk's economic boom, just when the Rybinsk–Bologoye railroad was laid through the town in 1870.

Gordeev's House in Soviet Times

After the revolution the house was converted into communal apartments. Its condition only got worse until 1986, when the building was declared unfit for habitation and the residents were resettled.

A Sudden Miracle

In 1987 a group of Rybinsk artists led by Alexander Zhdanov decided to reconstruct the terem (wooden mansion). The old building was beyond saving, so they decided to create an almost exact replica with modern conveniences. In 1992 construction was completed, and the new old house, with 6 apartments, a studio, and an exhibition hall, was ready to welcome visitors. And all of this was done by people with no training in construction or architecture.