Among the sights of Kiev there is its own little Notre Dame de Paris — it is The House with Chimeras, one of the main architectural gems of the city. This construction amazes with its fantasy, mystery, beauty and lushness of sculptural decoration, unusual shapes.
Is it appropriate to compare one of the ordinary, albeit beautiful, houses and a priceless French national treasure? Tourists who have seen the House with Chimeras with their own eyes most often compare it with the Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris, but, of course, only in terms of its decor.
The house is very lavishly decorated with whimsical sculptures of many different sizes and shapes. Here you can see both representatives of African fauna — rhinos, elephants, gazelles, etc., and fictional creatures — sea monsters, chimeras and other mysterious characters of various myths. The sculpture decorates the house from outside and inside, and it is equally impressive when viewed from the street and when inside this amazing building. How did it happen that the architecture of Kiev was enriched with such a bright masterpiece, the result of whose original, bold and very creative thought it became?
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For the appearance of the House with Chimeras we should thank the prominent architect of Polish origin W.W. Gorodetsky. Gorodetsky. He became famous for his other creations, such as the Church of St. Nicholas, the building of the City Museum of Antiquities and Arts, recognized as one of the best in Europe auditorium theater Solovtsov, Karaite kenasa — and all this only in Kiev, recognized works of Horodetskyi are in other cities and countries.
According to legend, the construction of the House with Chimeras was the result of a dispute between Gorodetsky and his colleague, who argued that it was impossible to build something sensible on such a precipice, especially in 2 years. As a result, for more than a century we have been watching the majestic building, which was erected 
in 1901-1902, adorns the place where once were the marshes of the Goat Swamp, drained, but, nevertheless, not the most fertile ground for construction. The architect not only won the bet (if there was one), but also embodied his passion for hunting and safari with the help of the talented Italian sculptor Elio Salle in the decoration of the house. Thanks to the joint work of the architect, who voiced his ideas, and the sculptor, who turned them into reality, every tourist who saw this building for the first time, who came to Kiev for a vacation, literally takes a breath away from contemplating such an unusual sight.
In addition to the sculptures, the architecture of the building is also impressive: the house is built in the form of a cube, but from the side of Franko Square it has six floors, and from Bankova Street — only three. This asymmetry gives the Art Nouveau house an additional zest. Together with the artistic design of the sculptures, it creates a completely unique look of the building, completely built of ordinary gray concrete — it is amazing that it is possible to create such beauty from this material! From the front entrance, which is accessed by a small staircase from the street, the house with its small wooden door looks like the mansion of some fairytale character, a great original and lover of dark romance like Count Dracula.
The House of Chimeras is something you just want to admire, to look at, to examine from every angle. And those who have some cherished wish, strive to find a crocodile among exotic animals and mythical creatures. They say it is very difficult to do it, but once you find it, you can be sure that your wish will definitely come true! Together with the enchanting beauty of the interior and exterior of the building, this makes the House with Chimeras one of the most visited sights in Kiev. It is not without reason that you should sign up for excursions, which take place here every Saturday, at least six months before your planned trip to the capital of Ukraine.
Thanks to the excursions tourists get the opportunity to visit not just a beautiful old house, considered one of the main treasures of the rich and diverse architecture of Kiev, but also to see with their own eyes the place where the most honorable citizens of the city gather. Since 2005, the building has received the status of the Small Reception Residence of the President of Ukraine — it hosts personal and official meetings of the first person of the country with guests, awards and other ceremonial events. In addition, in the walls of the House with Chimeras today operates a museum and cultural center «Masterpieces of Art of Ukraine» — one of the branches of the National Museum, which exhibits the most interesting works of sculpture, 
fine art, objects from the funds of the main museums of the country.
If you are going to take a vacation in Kiev — you should definitely see the House with Chimeras, vivid impressions and beautiful photos will be provided! And, perhaps, thanks to this, one of your cherished wishes will come true.
How to get there: from the metro station Khreshchatyk you should go to the escalator leading towards Institutska Street and Gorodetskyi Street, then walk along Gorodetskyi Street past I. Franko Square upwards or along Institutska Street upwards. Franko Street up or go up to Bankova Street, turn right and walk for 3 minutes. It is impossible to pass by the House with Chimeras!