🔗 Share this article Safeguarding the Capital's Heritage: A City Reconstructing Itself Under the Threat of Conflict. Lesia Danylenko proudly presented her freshly fitted front door. Volunteers had affectionately dubbed its elegant transom window the “pastry”, a whimsical nod to its curved shape. “Personally, I believe it’s more of a peacock,” she stated, admiring its tree limb-inspired details. The renovation effort at one of Kyiv’s turn-of-the-century art nouveau houses was supported by residents, who celebrated with several neighbourhood pavement parties. It was also an demonstration of resistance in the face of a foreign power, she elaborated: “We are trying to live like normal people in spite of the war. It’s about shaping our life in the most positive way. Fear does not drive us of remaining in our homeland. I had the option to depart, starting anew to a foreign land. Conversely, I’m here. The new entrance shows our dedication to our homeland.” “We are trying to live like ordinary people in spite of the war. It’s about organizing our life in the most positive way.” Protecting Kyiv’s architectural heritage may appear unusual at a time when missile strikes routinely fall the capital, bringing death and destruction. Since the onset of the current year, aerial raids have been significantly intensified. After each assault, workers board up broken windows with plywood and attempt, where possible, to secure residential buildings. Among the Bombs, a Fight for History Amid the bombs, a collective of activists has been attempting to preserve the city’s crumbling mansions, built in a playful style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the downtown Shevchenkivskyi district. It was built in 1906 and was first the home of a prosperous fur dealer. Its exterior is decorated with horse chestnut leaves and delicate camomile flowers. “These structures stand as symbols of Kyiv. These properties are uncommon today,” Danylenko noted. The mansion was designed by an architect of Central European origin. Several other buildings close by display comparable art nouveau characteristics, including an irregular shape – with a pointed turret on one side and a small tower on the other. One much-loved house in the area boasts two forlorn white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a imp. Dual Threats to History But armed conflict is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face unprincipled developers who raze listed buildings, corrupt officials and a political leadership indifferent or hostile to the city’s vast architectural history. The harsh winter climate imposes another burden. “Kyiv is a city where capital prevails. We are missing substantive political will to save our heritage,” said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He claimed the city’s leadership was closely associated with many of the developers who bulldoze important houses. Perov stated that the plan for the capital is reminiscent of a previous decade. The mayor denies these claims, attributing them from political rivals. Perov said many of the public-spirited activists who once protected older properties were now engaged in combat or had been killed. The ongoing conflict meant that everyone was facing monetary strain, he added, including those in the legal system who mysteriously ruled in favour of questionable new-build schemes. “The longer this goes on the more we see deterioration of our society and public institutions,” he contended. Loss and Disregard One notorious example of destruction is in the riverside Podil neighbourhood. The street was home to classical 19th-century houses. A developer who obtained the plot had committed to preserve its attractive brick facade. In the immediate aftermath of the onset of major hostilities, heavy machinery razed it to the ground. Recently, a crane excavated foundations for a new shopping and business centre, monitored by a stern security guard. Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was faint chance for the remaining blue-green houses on the site. Sometimes developers destroyed old properties while stating they were doing “historical excavation”, he said. A former political system also caused immense damage on the capital, rebuilding its primary street after the second world war so it could allow for military vehicles. Carrying the Torch One of Kyiv’s most prominent champions of historic buildings, a cultural activist, was killed in 2022 while engaged in a eastern city. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were persevering in his crucial preservation work. There were at one time 3,500 masonry mansions in Kyiv, many constructed for the city’s wealthy entrepreneurs. Only 80 of their original doors remain, she said. “It was not aerial bombardments that eliminated them. It was us,” she said with regret. “The war could continue for another 20 years. If we don’t defend architecture now nothing will be left,” she added. Chudna recently helped to restore a unique ivy-draped house built in 1910, which serves as the headquarters of her cultural organization and also serves as a film set and museum. The property has a new red door and original-style railings; inside is a vintage sanitary facility and antique mirrors. “The war could go on for another 20 years. If we don’t defend architecture now not a thing will be left.” The building’s resident, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “incredibly atmospheric and a little bit cold”. Why do many locals not value the past? “Unfortunately they are without education and taste. It’s all about business. We are striving as a country to go to the west. But we are still not yet close from civilization,” he said. Soviet-era ways of thinking remained, with people reluctant to take personal responsibility for their built surroundings, he added. Resilience in Action Some buildings are falling apart because of official neglect. Chudna indicated a once-magical villa concealed behind a modern hospital. Its roof had fallen; pigeons roosted among its shattered windows; refuse lay under a whimsical tower. “Often we lose the battle,” she conceded. “Restoration is therapy for us. We are attempting to save all this heritage and beauty.” In the face of destruction and commercial interests, these activists continue their work, one door at a time, believing that to preserve a city’s heart, you must first save its stones.
Lesia Danylenko proudly presented her freshly fitted front door. Volunteers had affectionately dubbed its elegant transom window the “pastry”, a whimsical nod to its curved shape. “Personally, I believe it’s more of a peacock,” she stated, admiring its tree limb-inspired details. The renovation effort at one of Kyiv’s turn-of-the-century art nouveau houses was supported by residents, who celebrated with several neighbourhood pavement parties. It was also an demonstration of resistance in the face of a foreign power, she elaborated: “We are trying to live like normal people in spite of the war. It’s about shaping our life in the most positive way. Fear does not drive us of remaining in our homeland. I had the option to depart, starting anew to a foreign land. Conversely, I’m here. The new entrance shows our dedication to our homeland.” “We are trying to live like ordinary people in spite of the war. It’s about organizing our life in the most positive way.” Protecting Kyiv’s architectural heritage may appear unusual at a time when missile strikes routinely fall the capital, bringing death and destruction. Since the onset of the current year, aerial raids have been significantly intensified. After each assault, workers board up broken windows with plywood and attempt, where possible, to secure residential buildings. Among the Bombs, a Fight for History Amid the bombs, a collective of activists has been attempting to preserve the city’s crumbling mansions, built in a playful style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the downtown Shevchenkivskyi district. It was built in 1906 and was first the home of a prosperous fur dealer. Its exterior is decorated with horse chestnut leaves and delicate camomile flowers. “These structures stand as symbols of Kyiv. These properties are uncommon today,” Danylenko noted. The mansion was designed by an architect of Central European origin. Several other buildings close by display comparable art nouveau characteristics, including an irregular shape – with a pointed turret on one side and a small tower on the other. One much-loved house in the area boasts two forlorn white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a imp. Dual Threats to History But armed conflict is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face unprincipled developers who raze listed buildings, corrupt officials and a political leadership indifferent or hostile to the city’s vast architectural history. The harsh winter climate imposes another burden. “Kyiv is a city where capital prevails. We are missing substantive political will to save our heritage,” said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He claimed the city’s leadership was closely associated with many of the developers who bulldoze important houses. Perov stated that the plan for the capital is reminiscent of a previous decade. The mayor denies these claims, attributing them from political rivals. Perov said many of the public-spirited activists who once protected older properties were now engaged in combat or had been killed. The ongoing conflict meant that everyone was facing monetary strain, he added, including those in the legal system who mysteriously ruled in favour of questionable new-build schemes. “The longer this goes on the more we see deterioration of our society and public institutions,” he contended. Loss and Disregard One notorious example of destruction is in the riverside Podil neighbourhood. The street was home to classical 19th-century houses. A developer who obtained the plot had committed to preserve its attractive brick facade. In the immediate aftermath of the onset of major hostilities, heavy machinery razed it to the ground. Recently, a crane excavated foundations for a new shopping and business centre, monitored by a stern security guard. Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was faint chance for the remaining blue-green houses on the site. Sometimes developers destroyed old properties while stating they were doing “historical excavation”, he said. A former political system also caused immense damage on the capital, rebuilding its primary street after the second world war so it could allow for military vehicles. Carrying the Torch One of Kyiv’s most prominent champions of historic buildings, a cultural activist, was killed in 2022 while engaged in a eastern city. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were persevering in his crucial preservation work. There were at one time 3,500 masonry mansions in Kyiv, many constructed for the city’s wealthy entrepreneurs. Only 80 of their original doors remain, she said. “It was not aerial bombardments that eliminated them. It was us,” she said with regret. “The war could continue for another 20 years. If we don’t defend architecture now nothing will be left,” she added. Chudna recently helped to restore a unique ivy-draped house built in 1910, which serves as the headquarters of her cultural organization and also serves as a film set and museum. The property has a new red door and original-style railings; inside is a vintage sanitary facility and antique mirrors. “The war could go on for another 20 years. If we don’t defend architecture now not a thing will be left.” The building’s resident, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “incredibly atmospheric and a little bit cold”. Why do many locals not value the past? “Unfortunately they are without education and taste. It’s all about business. We are striving as a country to go to the west. But we are still not yet close from civilization,” he said. Soviet-era ways of thinking remained, with people reluctant to take personal responsibility for their built surroundings, he added. Resilience in Action Some buildings are falling apart because of official neglect. Chudna indicated a once-magical villa concealed behind a modern hospital. Its roof had fallen; pigeons roosted among its shattered windows; refuse lay under a whimsical tower. “Often we lose the battle,” she conceded. “Restoration is therapy for us. We are attempting to save all this heritage and beauty.” In the face of destruction and commercial interests, these activists continue their work, one door at a time, believing that to preserve a city’s heart, you must first save its stones.