In Minsk, the famous "prison warden's balcony" disappeared from a historic house on Valadarskaha Street
The solitary balcony with a wrought-iron railing on Valadarskaha Street, 4 was the main highlight of the house, which tourists were told about during city tours.
The disappearance of the historical element was noticed in Threads. Tourists were previously told a city legend associated with this house.
The story went something like this: when the head of the prison moved into this house, he demanded that his apartment be different from the housing of his subordinates. As a result, a balcony was made only for him, which survived to our days.
But, let's hope this is not the end of the balcony: the house on Valadarskaha Street, 4 indeed has the status of a historical and cultural heritage site, and two new metal channels, which will serve as support for a new balcony slab, are already sticking out of its wall. A planned major renovation is currently being carried out here.
The legend is partly based on historical fact. This house is indeed closely connected with the history of the infamous prison castle (Valadarka), located nearby. As the historical reference testifies, the building was erected in the 1890s as a residential building for the administration of the Minsk prison. It was built outside the main prison fence. On the first floor, there was a large four-room apartment for the prison warden himself, Iosif Volyan, as well as apartments for his assistants.
Initially, the building was two-story and unplastered, and its brickwork imitated rustication and had rich decor, but in the middle of the XX century, a third floor was added and it was plastered, significantly simplifying its original appearance. It is possible that the balcony was not the only one on the facade, but simply others have not survived to our time.
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