Russian tavern building

The Russian Tavern Building is one of the most colorful architectural landmarks of Gomel, preserving the appearance of the pre-revolutionary urban development. This site is of interest to tourists fascinated by the history of Belarusian cities and 19th-century culture. It is included in many tours around Belarus and deserves special attention due to its rich history and architectural features.

History

The appearance of the building is associated with an active phase of urban development in Gomel in the early 19th century. In 1822, a Russian tavern was built on a street that was later known as Millionnaya. The project is believed to have been designed by British architect John Clark, who played a significant role in shaping the city’s appearance at the time. The tavern served not only as a place for food and rest but also as a roadside inn: the first floor housed a dining room, rooms for coachmen and the owner, while the second floor featured guest rooms.
Over the years, the building changed owners and purposes: in the 1830s, it came under the authority of the military engineering department, later housing a cadet school and the office of the 160th Abkhaz Infantry Regiment. Before World War II, it served as barracks for NKVD personnel. In 1949, the building was restored and has since functioned as an administrative office.

Architecture

Originally, the building had a U-shaped layout: the first floor was made of brick, and the second was wooden. A special emphasis in the architecture was placed on the wide arched window above the main entrance and the symmetrical arrangement of the elements. After postwar reconstruction, the building was reshaped into a T-layout, the passage to the courtyard was removed, and a pediment with decorative elements was added to the second floor. Today, it displays features of late classicism with elements of retrospective stylization while preserving its historical character.

Excursions

The Russian Tavern building in Gomel is part of popular tours around Belarus, including themed tours of historic regional sites. It can be visited as part of comprehensive programs or during individual city exploration. It is especially convenient to book a tour with a visit to this building when traveling to Gomel or during an excursion from Minsk — the route includes exploring the city center, historical buildings, and cultural landmarks. This site will surely fascinate lovers of architecture, military history, and urban legends.