Ryabushinsky Mansion

In the very heart of the capital, on the quiet Malaya Nikitskaya Street, stands an amazing building that is rightfully considered one of the main architectural treasures of the Art Nouveau era. This mansion tells the story of three outstanding personalities and remains a symbol of the creative genius of the early 20th century.

History of the creation of the architectural masterpiece

Construction of the famous mansion began in 1900 on the initiative of Stepan Pavlovich Ryabushinsky — a representative of an influential merchant dynasty. This extraordinary man combined the talent of an entrepreneur, the passion of a collector of ancient Russian icons, and a subtle understanding of art.

The Ryabushinsky dynasty

The Ryabushinsky family embodied the best traditions of Russian merchants. The founder of the dynasty, Mikhail Yakovlevich, moved from the Kaluga Governorate to Moscow at the beginning of the 19th century, where he managed to create a powerful industrial empire. By the middle of the century the family owned:

• Several textile factories
• Banking institutions
• Newspaper and magazine publishing houses
• Russia’s first automobile plant

Fyodor Shekhtel — the innovative architect

To realise his dream, Stepan Ryabushinsky turned to Fyodor Osipovich Shekhtel — an architect whose name was already famous in the capital. At the turn of the century the master became famous for participating in the Paris World Exhibition and for several striking Moscow projects. Construction was completed by 1903, and the result exceeded all expectations.

Architectural features in the Art Nouveau style

Shekhtel’s creation demonstrates all the characteristic features of the Art Nouveau style, known in Europe as Art Nouveau. The building impresses with its harmonious combination of grace and functionality.

Design principles

The architect followed a concept that was revolutionary for its time — “a building for the person”. Design began from the inside: the centrepiece of the composition was the grand staircase, around which the other rooms were organically arranged.

Façade and exterior decoration

The exterior of the mansion is distinguished by a free composition without repeating elements:

• The facing is made of light glazed brick
• Every window has a unique shape
• The mosaic frieze is decorated with images of orchids
• The window frames resemble graceful flower petals
• The wrought-iron fence creates a wave-like pattern

Interesting fact: for the mosaic, Shekhtel personally made sketches from live flowers. Thanks to inclusions of shiny smalt, the frieze shimmers in the sun, creating a mesmerising effect.

Interior decoration: immersion in an underwater world

The interiors of the mansion were created with the participation of the great artist Mikhail Vrubel. The authors thought through every detail, filling the space with symbolic meaning.

Design concept

The ground floor is dedicated to the water element. This theme is traced in many elements:

• Door handles are made in the shape of seahorses
• The parquet is laid in a pattern imitating sea waves
• The ceiling stucco on the ceiling resembles seaweed and duckweed
• The colour scheme is maintained in blue-green tones

The first floor symbolises the earth element — here were the family’s living rooms and a restoration workshop for icons.

The wave staircase: the main attraction

The link between the floors is an amazing 12-metre-long marble staircase. It is made of grey marble and gracefully curves like a frozen sea wave. A massive lamp styled as a jellyfish is built into the railing of the first tier. It is believed that Shekhtel drew inspiration for this masterpiece from the works of the legendary Antoni Gaudí.

Stained-glass windows and decorative elements

Nine coloured stained-glass windows are placed throughout the house. Particular attention is drawn to:

1. The stained-glass window in the hallway with a landscape against a blue sky — its colours change depending on the lighting and viewing angle
2. The balcony above the staircase with wrought-iron railing in the shape of an owl
3. The column on the first floor with a capital of intertwined lilies and salamanders, symbolising the struggle between good and evil

The secret Old Believers’ chapel

Since the Ryabushinskys were Old Believers and their faith was not officially recognised by the church, Shekhtel designed a hidden home church. It could only be accessed through a narrow corridor and staircase on the first floor. The room is decorated in the style of ancient Byzantine temples with vaults and a round window in the centre of the dome.

Soviet era: from palace to museum

Years of change

After the 1917 revolution, the Ryabushinsky family emigrated to Italy. The luxurious mansion was nationalised, and at different times it housed:

• The People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs
• A publishing house
• An institute of psychoanalysis
• An experimental kindergarten (attended by Vasily Stalin)

During the constant change of owners, a significant part of the original furnishings was lost: Shekhtel’s furniture disappeared, the ventilation system was dismantled, and the marble fireplace was removed.

Maxim Gorky — the new owner

In 1931 the mansion was given to the writer Maxim Gorky, who lived here until his death in 1936. Interestingly, the writer did not appreciate the architectural refinements: he converted the rooms to suit his needs, turned the living room into a library, and hardly used the famous staircase. Under Gorky the house became the centre of the capital’s cultural life. Famous writers and artists gathered here, and sometimes Joseph Stalin himself visited — during such visits the area was cordoned off by security.

Gorky’s Museum-Apartment today

Since 1965 the building has housed a museum dedicated to the life and work of the writer. The 1930s furnishings have been preserved in five rooms on the ground floor.

Museum exhibition

Visitors can see:

• Gorky’s study — with the desk on which the writer’s personal belongings remain, and a collection of two hundred Japanese netsuke and okimono figurines
• The library — the former living room with numerous bookcases
• The bedroom — a modest room with windows overlooking the garden and a seascape of Sorrento
• The dining room and the secretary’s room

On the first floor there are materials about the writer’s final days and the life of his son’s family. In the attic you can see the secret chapel and an exhibition about the Ryabushinsky dynasty.

Practical information for visitors

Location

Address: Moscow, Malaya Nikitskaya Street 6/2, building 5. The building is located at the intersection of Malaya Nikitskaya and Spiridonovka. You can get there in several ways:

• On foot from Arbatskaya, Tverskaya, Pushkinskaya or Chekhovskaya metro stations — 10–15 minutes
• By bus along Bolshaya Nikitskaya to the Nikitskiye Vorota stop
• On foot from Red Square via Bolshaya Nikitskaya — 25–30 minutes

Opening hours

The museum is open:

• Wednesday – Sunday: 11:00 to 17:30
• Ticket office open until 17:00
• Closed: Monday and Tuesday
• Sanitary day: last Thursday of every month
• Also closed on public holidays

Recommended visit duration: 1.5–2 hours.

Ticket prices

Prices vary depending on the visitor category:

• Adults — 350 rubles
• Students — 200 rubles
• Children under 15 — 150 rubles
• Foreign citizens — 450 rubles
• Photo and video shooting — 100 rubles

Discounts are available for certain categories. Check the official museum website for up-to-date information. Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket office on site.

Why you should visit the Ryabushinsky Mansion

This unique place allows you to:

1. See an outstanding example of Russian Art Nouveau architecture
2. Appreciate the mastery of Fyodor Shekhtel and Mikhail Vrubel
3. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the early 20th century
4. Get acquainted with Maxim Gorky’s everyday life
5. Unravel the symbolism of the interiors
6. Photograph the legendary wave staircase

The mansion attracts both architecture lovers and admirers of Russian literature. Every detail here is thought out to the smallest detail and has artistic value.

Guided tours

To not miss important details, it is recommended to book a tour with a professional guide. An experienced guide will tell you:

• Interesting facts from the history of the mansion’s creation
• About the symbolism of architectural elements
• About the fates of the building’s owners
• About Shekhtel’s other works in Moscow

Tours must be booked in advance by phone.

Conclusion

The Ryabushinsky Mansion is not just a museum, but a living monument of an era where the fates of outstanding people intertwined and the genius of great masters was embodied. The building on Malaya Nikitskaya remains one of the brightest examples of Art Nouveau in Russia and a must-see point on the route of every connoisseur of architecture and history. A walk through this amazing house will transport you a century back, let you feel the atmosphere of the Silver Age and admire the creative courage of the architect who created a true work of art. Each visit reveals new details: graceful stained-glass windows, symbolic stucco, the mysterious play of light and shadow — all this makes the Ryabushinsky Mansion a place you want to return to again and again.