Even an old Russian estate styled as an Italian palazzo, a Baroque mansion richly decorated with stucco, various sculptures of the Atlases and caryatids, herms of wise heroes, and lion head-shaped mascarons look modest compared to the interior of the famous Rukavishnikov’s Mansion, one of the main attractions of Nizhny Novgorod. No matter what style the tourists prefer, Baroque or classicism, they will love the luxurious mansion. Each of its halls deserves the title of a masterpiece, and each sculpture is no worse than the Louvre exhibits. It is hard to believe that such a pompous house was once made in the style of classicism and had a very modest exterior. Everything changed only in 1875 when the old mansion was bought by the famous Rukavishnikov merchant family. The new owners dreamed of making a luxurious palace fit for a king from this simple stone building. At that time, it was customary for the merchant class to openly demonstrate their wealth. There was a whole cult of luxury to the point of absurdity, which also affected the Rukavishnikov family.

The project of the future family seat was entrusted to the famous Moscow architect Peter Boytsov, who completed the major reconstruction in 1780. The architect created a bright example of eclectic style in all its splendor, which continues to amaze its visitors and adorn tourist postcards of Nizhny Novgorod. The delicate thin wrought-iron gates restored from photographs deserve special attention. They perfectly complete the architectural ensemble.

The majestic mansion on the Upper Volga (Verkhnevolzhskaya) Embankment has now become a permanent home of the “Decent to be at its bidding” exhibition from the Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum. It shows the everyday life and traditions of Nizhny Novgorod merchants and industrialists. Moreover, the mansion is ideal for temporary exhibitions of furniture, church utensils, ancient households and wedding ceremony items.