Picture this a whimsical gingerbread house perched on Kamenny Island. This is Dacha Gauswald a unique architectural gem in St Petersburg. Built in 1898 it’s the first Art Nouveau building in Russia. Designed by Vasily Shene and Vladimir Chagin for Eugenia Karlovna Gauswald wife of a baker it’s a masterpiece of wooden architecture.
The Dacha Gauswald is more than just a pretty face. It’s a symbol of a bygone era. A time when Kamenny Island was home to the city’s elite. Think merchant Eliseev prominent scientists and industrialist Putilov. Legends and secrets shroud the island’s history. Lost sailors once saw a massive rock above the water. They explored the land naming it Kamenny Island.
After the 1917 revolution the island’s name changed. It became Workers’ Island. Luxury homes became havens for street children. The Dacha Gauswald became Children’s Colony No 3. Street children lived there until 1923. They took what they could. Beautiful stained glass windows were dismantled. The colored glass became fishing sinkers or toys.
Later the building hosted a sanatorium. It became a holiday village for officials. In the 1990s the Gauswald dacha was sold to Impulse. Sadly the building fell into disrepair. Mold and fungus damaged over 80% of the wooden structures. The city considered demolition. Thankfully that didn’t happen. A restoration project followed. The original wooden structures were rebuilt.
The Dacha Gauswald is a cinematic star. Many films were shot there. Scenes from the popular Sherlock Holmes series were filmed here. Petersburgers call it Irene Adler’s house. The name is a reference to Sherlock Holmes’ beloved. Other films such as The Bat and Don Cesar de Bazan were also filmed in this magnificent building. Famous actors like Vasily Livanov and Mikhail Boyarsky graced its sets.
Today the Dacha Gauswald is a private property. You can’t go inside. However you can admire its unique Art Nouveau style. Its curved lines and asymmetric design make it a must-see sight. The Dacha Gauswald is a testament to St Petersburg’s rich history and architectural heritage. Its story is one of resilience and beauty. It’s a fairytale house frozen in time.