Photos of the interiors of merchant Markov's estate in Nizhny Novgorod have been published.

      On June 11, 2026, 17:36 Culture and Leisure NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" - Alexandra Turovskaya Nizhny Novgorod residents were shown the interiors of the estate of merchant Arseniy Vasilyevich Markov, located on Ilyinskaya Street, where one of the educational buildings of NNGASU is now situated. The visit to the historical building was part of a press tour timed to the opening of the exhibition "Family Values" (6+) at the Rukavishnikov Estate. The event was attended by a correspondent from NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." The building, in a yellow-brown color scheme, is designed in a style reminiscent of Florentine palaces of the early Renaissance. The facades feature characteristics typical of Italian architecture—large arched openings, volume plasticity, and decorative elements that are not typical for Nizhny Novgorod's construction of that era. According to one version, the estate was created in this style due to Markov's wife's desire to live in a castle, a dream realized by her loving husband—the last representative of the famous merchant lineage.

      Some researchers date the construction to 1905, while others to a decade later—1915. The construction took one season; however, internal work, such as plumbing, sewage, and heating hidden behind carved oak doors, continued in the following years. The main facade of the mansion, facing Ilinka, is adorned with masks in the form of lion heads and bas-reliefs with plant patterns. The main house became the dominant feature of the estate, which also included a carriage house, garden, stable, and stone gates.

      An undeniable decoration of the mansion is the marble grand staircase, reminiscent of an expressive wave with carved floral elements. Next to it is a bas-relief in the form of a woman's head, whose curls intertwine with bulrushes. The burgundy walls and white ceiling in the vestibule are abundant with golden lines intertwining into a plant ornament. Ascending the staircase, one is greeted by a large stained glass window depicting a graceful peacock. In this part of the building, it dominates: the walls in light yellow and green shades, as well as the few white ornaments, serve as a backdrop for this work of art. By the way, this stained glass in the mansion is not the only one.

      The unique interiors of the mansion are often associated with the name of the famous architect Fyodor Shekhtel. However, as of today, there is no documentary evidence of his authorship. The question remains debatable. With the arrival of Soviet power, the building was expropriated. In the following years, various institutions were located here, including a department of the NKVD. In the 1940s and 1950s, the premises were re-planned for the needs of the anti-tuberculosis dispensary, part of the historical interiors was lost, and some window openings on the facades were bricked up. Since 1985, the building housed a student clinic. In 2006-2008, the mansion was transferred to the Nizhny Novgorod State Architectural and Construction University. With the support of the city authorities, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out. Today, the building houses departments, classes, and conferences. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on the main events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999-2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.