The Pskov Chambers of the Menshikovs are located in the prestigious area of the Romanova Hill, or, as it is also called by local residents, Romanikhi, on Sovetskaya street . This street has repeatedly changed its name: first it was Great, then began to be called Velikolutskaya, until it changed its name for the third time - to Soviet . In the 17th century there was an active construction of stone buildings, the very center of the Romanova hill was built up by four impressive buildings surrounded by numerous farms GOVERNMENTAL premises .These were the famous Menshikovs' Chambers .
According to popular opinion, the first houses were built by Semyon Menshikov, head of the noble merchant family. In those days it was a stone three-story building with two built-up wooden floors, in which were located bedrooms, rooms and flats. The building had two porches - a front door and a black one, which faced the inner courtyard.
Directly joined to the first chambers were the second ones erected in the 1770s. son of Semen Menshikov - Foma. The building of the second chambers was decorated with a large stone porch with columns and stairs. Here, as, indeed, in the first chambers, everything resembled the traditional arrangement of the merchant's house: the first floor was given for non-residential premises, the second one was occupied by a canopy and a spacious dining room, the third floor was occupied by "amusing chambers" with a particularly luxurious decoration.
The third Menshikov chambers, located slightly apart, were built by one of the younger sons of Semen Menshikov. The building of these chambers looks like a reduced copy of the Chambers of Thomas Menshikov, and with the other buildings of this family it is connected by underground passages. Since the 19th century, the third wards have been stubbornly associated with the name of Marina Mnishek: there were rumors that she visited Pskov and lived right here. At the end of the 17th century, the fourth, last houses of the Menshikov family were built opposite Semen Menshikov's house.
Menshikov's Chambers have a rather dramatic fate. As a result of the catastrophic fire that broke out in Pskov in the early 18th century, they suffered very badly, the floors, premises, and the laying of the third floor burned down. After these events, the Menshikovs 'heirs decided to sell their chambers and never lived there again.
Despite the significant transformation of the original appearance, the Menshikov Chambers always interested connoisseurs of ancient Russian art and architecture, historians, art historians and simply not indifferent citizens. Nowadays, in completely restored first and second chambers, souvenir shops are open, where ceramic products, thematic books are sold, a flower shop is opened, and the museum of the Gonchar factory.
Address: Pskov, ul. Soviet, 50.
Work time: Tuesday - Saturday: 11:00 - 18:00, Saturday and Sunday: days off.
Admission is free.