Dom S Zhar-Ptitsami

If you find yourself in a city like Tomsk, be sure to visit one of its most striking landmarks. The House with Firebirds is an outstanding monument of wooden architecture and is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful buildings that Russia takes pride in. Built in 1903 by architect Pyotr Fedorovsky, this wing of merchant Leonty Zhelyabo's estate embodies the fairytale charm of Siberian architecture.

House with Firebirds. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The building impresses with its unique eclectic decor. The main ornaments of the facade are the carved firebirds crowning the roof and window frames. Complex carvings, an abundance of bay windows, and decorative scrolls create a stunning lace-like effect that looks especially spectacular in sunny weather. Despite its venerable age and status as a federal cultural heritage site, the house remains residential, preserving the warmth and comfort of a true urban estate.

Thanks to its originality, the House with Firebirds has become an unofficial symbol of the city: its images decorate postcards, souvenirs, and travel guides. This place attracts history buffs and connoisseurs of fine arts, offering a chance to touch the living history and craftsmanship of the woodcarvers of the last century.

Finding this architectural masterpiece is easy, as it is located in the city's historic center. Below are the key contact details for navigation.

The main pleasure of visiting this place is aesthetic contemplation. You can spend a long time studying the incredible wood carvings, looking at the figures of mythical birds and whimsical ornaments on the window frames. For photography enthusiasts, this is one of the best locations in the city: the house looks different depending on the lighting, and in the rays of the sunset, its elements literally begin to "glow" with gold.

Since the building is residential and access to the interior is closed, your interaction will be limited to an exterior inspection. However, this is a great reason to walk around the entire Zhelyabo Estate to see not only the famous wing but also the main house and other buildings in the complex. Such a walk allows you to feel the scale of merchant life at the beginning of the 20th century.

A visit to the House with Firebirds is perfect for those interested in architectural photography or sketching. If you want to see the original decorative fragments that were replaced during restoration, we also recommend stopping by the Museum of Wooden Architecture—it houses authentic elements that once adorned this building.

The house is located in the heart of the city at Krasnoarmeyskaya ul., 67/1. If you are in the central area, it is easily accessible on foot. A walk from the University Grove or Lenin Square will take no more than 10–15 minutes at a leisurely pace, allowing you to enjoy the atmosphere of the old streets along the way.

For those who prefer public transport, various buses, shuttle vans (marshrutkas), and trams run to the "Universitetskaya Ploshchad" or "Ulitsa Krasnoarmeyskaya" stops. From the Tomsk-1 railway station, you can reach the site by taxi in about 15–20 minutes or by taking buses No. 4 or No. 7.

If you plan to arrive by private car, please note that there is no dedicated parking at the building, and street parking spaces in the center are often occupied. It is recommended to leave your car in nearby permitted areas on adjacent streets and complete the route on foot.

The history of this site began in 1896, when retired sergeant major and Second Guild merchant Leonty Zhelyabo began developing his urban estate. The House with Firebirds itself appeared as part of the complex later, in 1903. According to local legend, this ornate wing was a wedding gift from the merchant to his daughter, Varvara. The project was designed by the talented architect Pyotr Fedorovsky, who successfully blended professional architectural training with folk traditions.

The building's style is described as eclectic with a strong influence of national motifs. Researchers pay special attention to the carved "scrolls" on the window frames: there is a theory that they symbolize Torah scrolls, reflecting the Jewish heritage of the estate owner. Despite its exceptional decorativeness, the house has always remained residential. After nationalization during the Soviet years, it was divided into apartments, a function it retains to this day.

By the early 2000s, the unique wooden building required urgent repairs. A large-scale restoration carried out in 2008 returned the monument to its historical glory: the facades were restored and the roof was replaced. Interestingly, part of the original decor—the legendary firebirds themselves—is now kept in the Museum of Wooden Architecture, while exact modern copies are installed on the roof.

To view the exterior of the building and take a few memorable photos, you will need about 20–40 minutes. This is quite enough time to carefully examine the intricate wood carvings on the facades and appreciate the overall composition of the wing.

If you plan to walk through the entire territory of the Zhelyabo merchant estate and explore other nearby wooden masterpieces on Krasnoarmeyskaya Street, it is worth setting aside about 1–1.5 hours for your visit. This will allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of "wooden" Tomsk without rushing and capture high-quality photos in different lighting conditions.

Since the House with Firebirds is a residential building, its architectural beauty is available for viewing from the street at any time of day. You can admire the fairytale carvings in both daylight and evening twilight.

Exploring the surroundings of Krasnoarmeyskaya Street will allow you to dive deeper into the history of Siberian architecture. Very close to the Zhelyabo estate are other iconic landmarks that will harmoniously complement your walk.