The house where Kachalov lived: the restoration of the historical rooms of Mikhailov in the center of Kazan is nearing completion.

      The restoration of the Mikhailov rooms is planned to be completed in three months - the premises will be allocated for commercial objects.

      Photo: Galiya Garifullina

      In three months, the restoration of the Mikhailov rooms - a complex of ancient buildings, one of which was home to actor Vasily Kachalov - is expected to be completed in Kazan. The balcony where he once shaved and admired the city has already been restored. Today, a meeting of the Tatar branch of the Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments took place in the renovated tenement house. The article discusses how to protect Soviet mosaics, the future of the Mergasov House, and what volunteers from the "Tom Sawyer Fest" will do this summer.

      To step out onto the balcony where Kachalov shaved

      The restoration of the Mikhailov rooms in Kazan is nearing completion, with initial plans to finish the work by the end of 2025. The building forms the corner of Lobachevsky and Dzerzhinsky streets - the space has exits to both streets. It is particularly famous for being the residence of the renowned actor Vasily Kachalov for two years in the late 19th century. It is expected that the exterior and courtyard will be ready in three months, said Ivan Nikонов, director of the ASG restoration workshops, in response to a question from "Real Time." The interior finishing will be rough - it will be left to the discretion of future tenants.

      Galiya Garifullina / realnoevremya.ru

      — The building began construction in the 1850s. It originally belonged to the parish church. Later, it was sold to merchant Mikhailov, who developed it as a tenement house. Mainly, aspiring actors and students lived in the apartments because we have theaters and universities nearby. Living here was inexpensive, — Ivan Nikонов explained.

      As he later clarified, the tenement house dates back to 1858. It was here that Kachalov stayed. It is said that the artist shaved on the balcony of his room, enjoying the views of Kazan. This balcony has already been restored, and moreover, the entire structure is "original." Half of the wrought iron railing has been preserved, while the other half was recreated by analogy.

      Galiya Garifullina / realnoevremya.ru

      Work has been ongoing since the Universiade

      However, the complex includes not only this building. In 1879, Mikhailov submitted a request to build new structures and began to expand the territory. As a result, a whole P-shaped complex was formed. The total area of the object is about 2,500 square meters, says Ivan Nikонов.

      So what awaits the other buildings on the territory? One of the reconstructed extensions will feature stained glass and skylights. "Perhaps there will be some interesting catering establishment, a cafeteria," Ivan Nikонов speculates. An impressively sized basement, consisting of many rooms, has also been preserved. A bar could open there, believes the director of the restoration workshops.

      Galiya Garifullina / realnoevremya.ru

      The work took several years: in 2013, the object was in an emergency state. The first stage - restoration of the facade, roof, and windows - was completed by the Universiade. In 2017, karst voids were discovered here. "An injection of the foundations was carried out, an incredible amount of material was driven in. After that, the building settled, and the work continued," the expert explained.

      What will "Tom Sawyer Fest" focus on this season

      In the restored Mikhailov rooms, the fate of other historical buildings in the republic was discussed today. A meeting of the Tatar branch of the Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments (TRO VOOpiK) took place here. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the city protection actions influencing the fate of the city - in 2011, Kazan residents opposed the construction of a multi-level parking lot in "Black Lake" park.

      TRO VOOpiK Chairman Stepan Novikov reminded of the most high-profile events related to cultural heritage sites (OКН). This includes the demolition of a century-old building that used to be the builders' club of the Lenin district, the construction of noise protection screens on the Kirov dam, and the tense discussion about the future of the Mergasov House. Recently, in one of the TNV broadcasts, the chairman of the RT Committee for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Sites, Ivan Gushchin, mentioned that it could be dismantled and reassembled. According to him, a decision will be made after the engineering and technical conclusion is released.

      Galiya Garifullina / realnoevremya.ru

      — The engineering survey has not yet been presented to the public and expert community. The fact that it (the Mergasov House - ed.) is not subject to restoration is merely the opinion of certain individuals. I ask the media to discuss this topic only with experts connected to cultural heritage sites. They will all say that the engineering conclusion cannot possibly state: "We recommend demolishing a cultural heritage site," — emphasized Stepan Novikov.

      He added that the wear of the Mikhailov rooms before restoration was 70%. "And yet the building was completely preserved," — pointed out the chairman of TRO VOOpiK.

      TRO VOOpiK council member Glafira Akhmadullina spoke about how the organization fights for mosaic panels. Recall that the Tatarstan Committee for the Protection of OКН refused to include seven Soviet mosaics in Kazan and Chally in the register of monuments.

      Screenshot from the Telegram channel "Tatarstan Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments"

      — We requested clarifications [on the refusals] regarding the mosaics "Meeting Guests" and "Hot Tea" (they are located in the "Tatarstan" hotel - ed.). The Committee formally responded that the administrative regulations do not provide for the submission of materials justifying the refusal. Unofficially, they explain that these objects are part of the building and cannot be registered [as separate entities], — she explained.

      According to Glafira Akhmadullina, recognizing the buildings where the mosaics are located as cultural heritage sites is excessive, and Russian legislation allows for the registration of only individual elements. In several regions, mosaic panels on walls have been recognized as OКН.

      There were also joyful news: the complex of mosaic bus stops on Matyushinsky Tract received temporary status as having the characteristics of cultural heritage sites, as this case involved the protection of the entire stop rather than just part of the structure. Now we must wait for the final decision.

      — I hope there will be no questions from the Committee regarding them. For the others [mosaics], we still hope to compile all our materials and resolve this issue, — she concluded.

      Galiya Garifullina / realnoevremya.ru

      Coordinator of "Tom Sawyer Fest" Anastasia Gizzatova spoke about the movement's plans for 2026. On April 18, the season will open with a Saturday cleanup in the "Kazan Window Frames" park. The main object of work this summer will be an ancient two-story house in the Admiralty settlement on Stolyarov Street. Additionally, plans include work at the Church of the Three Holy Kazan Saints in Lyutkino (Pestrechinsky district) in collaboration with the movement "Where Streams Flow" and a Saturday cleanup at the Gagarin estate (Tenyki).

      Moreover, this week will be "Heritage Week" in Kazan. Residents can expect excursions and lectures - announcements will be published on the VOOpiK social media.

      Galiya Garifullina