Kiev Ukraine House of Contracts

overview

Kiev city House of Contracts was built in 1815-1817 to the design of the St Petersburg architect Vasily Geste. It was intended for the conclusion of commercial agreements and for business meetings. The short sides have four-columned Doric porticos with pediments, the long sides have six-columned porticos without pediments. Its clear-cut forms, axial composition, and restrained decoration give the building a monumental severity.

House of Contracts is situated in the heart of Podil (the Kontraktova square), a park-like square named for the large. Dating from 1817, the building is now filled with restaurants, galleries and businesses. A few blocks to the north-west is the chilling but fascinating Chernobyl Museum, where exhibits document the worst nuclear disaster in history - bringing home the fact that it happened only 100km (62mi) to the north.