House of Keren, building in Taganrog, Schmidt street
The House of Keren is a single-story building with a cellar on Schmidt Street in Taganrog, designed by architect Dupont de Laru in the 19th century and featuring classical style elements. The facade is divided into three sections and has four semi-columns supporting a pediment with ornamental details, while the center windows are decorated with special carved ornaments.
The building was designed by architect Dupont de Laru in the 19th century and served various owners including Pavel Daro from 1810, Italian Ivan Ruffo from 1890 to 1906, and Belgian diplomat Wilhelm Keren from 1915 onward. It received official recognition as an architecture and history monument in 1992 to protect its importance to the region.
The building takes its name from a Belgian diplomat who owned it in the early 1900s and served as a consul in the city. Its classical facade with three distinct sections and semi-columns reflects local construction traditions that were valued during that period.
The building sits on Schmidt Street in Taganrog's city center and is easily accessible on foot, with rewards for those who look closely at the facade details and informational signs. Visit during daylight hours when light best reveals the architectural features, and consider joining a local guided tour for additional context about the building's past.
The main entrance door is unusually positioned not in the center of the facade but on the left side, giving the building a distinctive feature despite its classical symmetry. This unexpected asymmetrical placement of the door sets it apart from other classical buildings in the city.
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