Protecting the Capital's Heritage: A City Rebuilding Itself Under the Threat of Conflict.

Lesia Danylenko proudly presented her freshly fitted front door. Local helpers had affectionately dubbed its elegant transom window the “pastry”, a whimsical nod to its curved shape. “Personally, I believe it’s more of a peafowl,” she remarked, appreciating its branch-like ornamentation. The refurbishment initiative at one of Kyiv’s early 20th-century art nouveau houses was made possible by residents, who celebrated with a couple of neighbourhood pavement parties.

It was also an demonstration of opposition towards an invading force, she elaborated: “We strive to live like ordinary people in spite of the war. It’s about shaping our life in the most positive way. Fear does not drive us of remaining in our homeland. The possibility to emigrate existed, moving away to another European nation. On the contrary, I’m here. The new entrance symbolizes our commitment to our homeland.”

“We strive to live like ordinary people in spite of the war. It’s about shaping our life in the most positive way.”

Preserving Kyiv’s architectural heritage seems unusual at a time when missile strikes frequently hit the capital, bringing death and destruction. Since the beginning of the current year, bombing campaigns have been dramatically stepped up. After each strike, workers board up blown-out windows with plywood and attempt, where possible, to secure residential buildings.

Amid the Explosions, a Battle for History

In the midst of war, a group of activists has been working to save the city’s decaying mansions, built in a playful style known as Ukrainian modernism. Danylenko’s house is in the central Shevchenkivskyi district. It was erected in 1906 and was initially the home of a prosperous fur dealer. Its outer walls is decorated with horse chestnut leaves and delicate camomile flowers.

“They are symbols of Kyiv. These properties are uncommon nowadays,” Danylenko stated. The residence was designed by a designer of Austrian-German origin. Several other buildings in the vicinity exhibit analogous art nouveau elements, including a lack of symmetry – with a gothic tower on one side and a projection on the other. One much-loved house in the area boasts two forlorn white stucco cats, as well as owls, masks and a demonic figure.

Multiple Challenges to History

But military aggression is only one threat. Preservation campaigners say they face unprincipled developers who demolish historically significant buildings, unethical officials and a governing class apathetic or hostile to the city’s rich architectural history. The harsh winter climate adds another challenge.

“Kyiv is a city where capital prevails. We are missing genuine political will to save our heritage,” said Dmytro Perov, an activist. He alleged the city’s mayor was allied with many of the developers who destroy important houses. Perov stated that the vision for the capital is reminiscent of a different time. The mayor rejects these claims, attributing them from political rivals.

Perov said many of the community-oriented activists who once defended older properties were now serving in the military or had been killed. The lengthy conflict meant that everyone was facing financial problems, he added, including those in the legal system who mysteriously ruled in favour of dubious new-build schemes. “The longer this goes on the more we see decline of our society and governing institutions,” he contended.

Demolition and Neglect

One egregious example of destruction is in the waterside Podil neighbourhood. The street was the site of classical 19th-century houses. A developer who purchased the plot had pledged to preserve its picturesque brick facade. In the immediate aftermath of the full-scale invasion, diggers razed it to the ground. Recently, a crane dug foundations for a new shopping and business centre, observed by a surly security guard.

Anatolii Pohorily, a heritage supporter, said there was faint chance for the remaining turquoise-painted houses on the site. Sometimes developers destroyed old properties while claiming they were doing “historical excavation”, he said. A previous regime also caused immense damage on the capital, rebuilding its main thoroughfare after the second world war so it could allow for official processions.

Continuing the Work

One of Kyiv’s most notable advocates of historic buildings, a cultural activist, was killed in 2022 while engaged in a contested area. His colleague Nelli Chudna said she and other volunteers were persevering in his important preservation work. There were initially 3,500 masonry mansions in Kyiv, many built for the city’s successful entrepreneurs. Only 80 of their original doors are still in existence, she said.

“It wasn’t foreign rockets that got rid of them. It was us,” she admitted sadly. “The war could continue for another 20 years. If we don’t defend architecture now little will be left,” she added. Chudna recently helped to restore a full of character ivy-draped house built in 1910, which serves as the headquarters of her cultural organization and operates as a film set and museum. The property has a new vermilion portal and authentic railings; inside is a vintage sanitary facility and antique mirrors.

“The war could go on for another 20 years. If we fail to protect architecture now little will be left.”

The building’s occupant, artist Yurii Pikul, described his home as “quite special and a little bit cold”. Why do many residents not value the past? “Unfortunately they lack education and taste. It’s all about business. We are trying as a country to move towards the west. But we are still a way off from civilization,” he said. Previous ways of thinking remained, with people unwilling to take personal responsibility for their architectural setting, he added.

Hope in Restoration

Some buildings are falling apart because of bureaucratic indifference. Chudna showed a once-magical villa hidden behind a modern hospital. Its roof had caved in; pigeons roosted among its broken windows; refuse lay under a fairytale tower. “Frequently we don’t win,” she admitted. “Preservation work is a form of healing for us. We are trying to save all this history and splendour.”

In the face of war and commercial interests, these activists continue their work, one facade at a time, stating that to preserve a city’s heart, you must first save its walls.