The cult building was erected in 1898-1902 by order of the Kyiv Karaite community. And although there were no more than 300 of them in Kyiv at that time, among them were quite wealthy people who could afford to buy a plot in the city center, order an original project and provide construction.
The author of the project is the famous architect Vladislav Gorodetsky. Set with a narrow faç ade along the building line of the street, between the then often old-fashioned whitewashed houses, the kenasa really looked impressive - and architecture, and color, and a strange oriental bath. Skillfully possessing knowledge of historical styles, V. Gorodetsky artistically interpreted this knowledge, not deviating, at first glance, from the established characteristics of style, and, at the same time, in his own way composing archaic elements in purely modern conditions of cramped land, taking into account urban planning requirements.
The sculptural and finishing works in the kenasa were performed by the Italian Elia Sala, and his work had no analogues in Kyiv. It seems that all the richness of the Moorish, Orientalist trend is reflected in the decorations of the kenasa. Particularly impressive was the ceiling, reminiscent of the fabulous stalactite vaults of caves. Extremely complex and elegantly whimsical patterns covered everything intended for the exterior and interior. In addition to carefully outlined and recreated in cement architectural and sculptural decorations kenas, striking and metal details, which, unfortunately, have survived only in part. These are openwork spiral staircases, a pair of wrought-iron floor lamps, located on both sides of the main entrance - signs of the architect's modernized approach to the archaic building. Heavy shuttered doors, intricate pattern of window fillings, stained glass, etc. are still pleasing to the eye.
Unfortunately, in the course of repair and reconstruction works in 1968, the decor of the hall was damaged due to the most "threatening" stalactite details of the ceiling. At the same time, the Arabic-language inscriptions around the portal were destroyed. Somewhat earlier, a very important and valuable detail of the building was dismantled - a unique corrugated zinc dome in Kyiv, which crowned the kenasa, giving it a unique look and resemblance to the domes of Central Asia. Even later, the fence and the openwork gate of the same pattern, which closed the entrance to the deep portal, were ruthlessly destroyed.
In Soviet times, the activities of the Karaite community were banned, the building housed educational institutions, a puppet theater, a cinema, and since 1981 - the Republican Actor's House.
The author of the project is the famous architect Vladislav Gorodetsky. Set with a narrow faç ade along the building line of the street, between the then often old-fashioned whitewashed houses, the kenasa really looked impressive - and architecture, and color, and a strange oriental bath. Skillfully possessing knowledge of historical styles, V. Gorodetsky artistically interpreted this knowledge, not deviating, at first glance, from the established characteristics of style, and, at the same time, in his own way composing archaic elements in purely modern conditions of cramped land, taking into account urban planning requirements.
The sculptural and finishing works in the kenasa were performed by the Italian Elia Sala, and his work had no analogues in Kyiv. It seems that all the richness of the Moorish, Orientalist trend is reflected in the decorations of the kenasa. Particularly impressive was the ceiling, reminiscent of the fabulous stalactite vaults of caves. Extremely complex and elegantly whimsical patterns covered everything intended for the exterior and interior. In addition to carefully outlined and recreated in cement architectural and sculptural decorations kenas, striking and metal details, which, unfortunately, have survived only in part. These are openwork spiral staircases, a pair of wrought-iron floor lamps, located on both sides of the main entrance - signs of the architect's modernized approach to the archaic building. Heavy shuttered doors, intricate pattern of window fillings, stained glass, etc. are still pleasing to the eye.
Unfortunately, in the course of repair and reconstruction works in 1968, the decor of the hall was damaged due to the most "threatening" stalactite details of the ceiling. At the same time, the Arabic-language inscriptions around the portal were destroyed. Somewhat earlier, a very important and valuable detail of the building was dismantled - a unique corrugated zinc dome in Kyiv, which crowned the kenasa, giving it a unique look and resemblance to the domes of Central Asia. Even later, the fence and the openwork gate of the same pattern, which closed the entrance to the deep portal, were ruthlessly destroyed.
In Soviet times, the activities of the Karaite community were banned, the building housed educational institutions, a puppet theater, a cinema, and since 1981 - the Republican Actor's House.
Translated automatically from Ukrainian. View original
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