Smirnov's house, Art Nouveau mansion in Presnensky District, Russia
Smirnov's house is an Art Nouveau mansion in Presnensky District featuring eight ceremonial halls, marble staircases, and large windows with faceted glass. The rooms showcase different architectural styles combined within a single building to create visual variety.
The mansion was built between 1901 and 1905 by architect Fyodor Shekhtel as a residence for vodka magnate Pyotr Smirnov. Following Smirnov's death in 1910, the property underwent transformations in how it was used.
The reception halls each display distinct architectural styles including Roman, Egyptian, and Greek designs. Walking through these spaces gives visitors a sense of traveling through different historical periods and artistic traditions.
The mansion is open to visitors for guided tours, special events, and private functions. Parts of the building house office spaces, so some areas may not always be accessible to the general public depending on what is happening that day.
The pink drawing room features hidden electric light bulbs embedded within ornate ceiling stucco moldings that are shaped like opening flower buds. This creative integration of modern lighting into decorative elements was an innovative solution for its era.
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