The Syrotkin House

The Syrotkin House is one of the most striking historic buildings in central Kyiv. It stands at the corner of Prorizna and Volodymyrska streets, just a one-minute walk from the Golden Gate. Completed in 1902, it was the tallest residential building in the city at the time and among the first to feature both an elevator and steam heating.

The building is easy to recognize by its L-shaped façade, elaborate ornamentation, and sculptural details. The most eye-catching elements are the fantastical horned and winged creatures on the third floor — figures that gave rise to a local legend about a “deal with the devil” said to have been made during the building’s construction.

In the early 20th century, the Syrotkin House housed shops, cafés, confectioneries, a pharmacy, and even a hotel, making it one of Kyiv’s most modern mixed-use buildings. After a major fire in 1992, it lost its residential function, but it remains a prominent architectural landmark, known for its character and dramatic history.

Photos: “Kyiv Maps” Facebook page, visitkyiv.com