Ponizovsky House

Embassy of Afghanistan in Moscow
Посольство Афганистана в Москве
Location Moscow
Address 42 Povarskaya Street
Ambassador Zalmai Aziz

The Embassy of Afghanistan in Moscow (Persian: سفارت کبرای جمهوری اسلامی افغانستان در مسكو) is the diplomatic mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Russian Federation. It is located at 42 Povarskaya Street (Russian: Поварская ул., 42) in the Arbat district of Moscow.[1][2]

The mission is housed in historical Ponizovsky House, designed by Lev Kekushev,[3] although its exterior was later radically altered and does not display signs of Kekushev's Art Nouveau style.

In 1902 Jacob Reck's development company purchased a large Volchkov estate, split it in two lots, and invited Kekushev to desigh two luxury mansions for resale. The better known Mindovsky House (present-day Embassy of New Zealand) was set right on the street corner, with the main entrance facing the spacious inner courtyard. Ponizovsky House was set back from Povarskaya street line, allowing a narrow strip of garden between the wall and sidewalk; its main entrance faces the corner of Povarskaya Street and Skatertny Lane. Period photographs show that the building had a flattened yet prominent dome above the main entrance and a smaller curvilinear gable above Povarskaya street facade; overall styling was reserved, with clear vertical lines of windows cut through a tiled wall. In 1914, when Kekushev was already inactive, Ponizovsky House was rebuilt to an neoclassical design, losing the dome and all original exterior finishes.[4]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Afghan Embassy, Moscow.
  1. "Alphabetical list of Afghan Embassies and Consulates". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Retrieved 2008-05-21.
  2. Дипломатические и консульские представительства зарубежных государств в России (in Russian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia). Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  3. "Russian, Afghan foreign ministers unveil renovated Afghan embassy in Moscow.". ITAR-TASS. 7 May 2004. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  4. (Russian) Architectural monuments of Moscow: Earthen town, 1989, p.130 // Памятники архитектуры Москвы. Земляной город. — М.: Искусство, 1989., c. 130

Coordinates: 55°45′24″N 37°35′21″E / 55.75667°N 37.58917°E