The fantasy house of architect Golovan

Architect Golovan’s house in Lutsk is one of those man-made masterpieces that are created not only by imagination, but also by the unrestrained will of a man to create and love his work.

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History of the House of Golovan

Architect Mykola Golovan worked for more than 20 years for the benefit of his native city of Lutsk. It so happened that in the late 1970s his own house burned down.

The man managed to get a plot of land in 1980 in the modern historical part of the city – in the Old Town, and at that time this land was a swampy area on the very bank of the Styr. This is where the future masterpiece and architectural monument will grow.

The project of the house was developed by Rostislav Metelnitsky, and the homestead and interior decoration was given to his colleague. It was supposed that Golovan would realize all his fantasies and turn the house into a real work of art. It turned out to be an eclectic style, for which visitors still call it “the house with chimeras”.

At first, the author’s activities were monitored by the authorities, but in the times of perestroika they let go of surveillance and control. Meanwhile, the house grew and developed rapidly.

The wonders of architect Golovanya’s house

Now there are more than 500 sculptures in the house of architect Golovan. All of them are made by the hands of a master from green sandstone or stone. Each sculpture has a unique form and its own history.

The most remarkable creation is a large bas-relief at the entrance to the house – its weight is 1500 kg and it depicts members of Nikolai Golovan’s family.

The house has the status of an architectural monument and for a long time it belonged to the state. In 2008 the dwelling was included in the register of Seven Wonders of Volyn, and only recently (in 2022) the house was transferred to private ownership. It happened after the death of the owner – February 1, 2022. Now his wife is in charge of everything here.

The widow started the reconstruction and repair of some elements, opened the house for tourists, so everyone can visit this miracle of architecture and fantasy.

In the yard and inside the house

If from the street side you can see the fence and partly how the second floor is decorated, what is inside?

To begin with, none of the sculptures is similar to another – each has its own style. At the entrance we are greeted by the composition “With the mouth of a child the truth speaks”, stone lions, images of saints, Jesus Christ and his mother.

But the most interesting and beautiful is just inside the courtyard and the house itself. There is an “Italian courtyard” and even a blacksmith shop. In the backyards you can find still raw blocks and sculptures, which have not yet found a place.

Analogues of Golovan’s house in Ukraine and the world

There are many examples of one person building entire masterpieces out of scrap materials, and devoting a lifetime to it.

For example, there is the Château de Cheval in France, and the house of engineer Khlyapatura in the Dnipro region of Ukraine.

How to get there

Holovon’s house is located at 9 Lutheranska Street, Lutsk. Right behind the Lutheran Church.

You can visit the house of architect Golovan by prior arrangement, otherwise you will have to walk outside and be satisfied with the high fence and what you can see behind it (not much).

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