Grayvoron: Discover its architecture and urban history

• Grayvoron lies at the confluence of the Vorskla and the smaller Grayvoronka stream, after which it is named.
• The buildings of the boys’ gymnasium represent construction phases from 1877 and 1910.
• The house of merchant I. N. Dmitrenko dates from 1908.
• The “Memorial Slavy” memorial site opened in 2003; the “Dobryy angel mira” complex followed in 2007.

The old boys’ gymnasium building was constructed in 1877 with funds from the local merchant community. It is an example of eclecticism, predominantly featuring Neoclassical elements. Eclecticism refers to combining design elements from different styles; here, the emphasis is on Neoclassical elements.

The new, two-story boys’ gymnasium building was built in 1910 to a design by architect Boris Korniyenko. It stands in Grayvoron’s historic center and also predominantly features Neoclassical elements. The two buildings can be distinguished by their dates and the circumstances of their construction: the older building is noted as having been funded by the local merchant community, while the new building is identified by its architect, number of stories, and location in the historic center.

Built in 1908, the house of merchant I. N. Dmitrenko makes a different architectural statement. It combines elements of medieval castle architecture with Art Nouveau. A spire atop a small corner tower crowns the building; it is considered Grayvoron’s unofficial symbol. Unlike the school buildings, which are characterized by Neoclassical elements, this building emphasizes a combination of different stylistic influences.

Next to the house are the merchant’s shopping arcades. They are the only surviving building of their kind in Grayvoron and feature Neoclassical elements. The house and arcades thus point to different types of merchant architecture. The “Dvoryanskoye sobraniye,” built in 1913 with the involvement of merchant Pyotr Boldyrev, also belongs to this historical theme. On the ground floor, a large hall and several smaller rooms connected by a corridor have been preserved. Today, the building is used as a dormitory for a sanatorium.

Opened on August 7, 2003, the “Memorial Slavy” memorial site commemorates several groups: Grayvoron residents who took part in the battles of the Great Patriotic War; Soviet soldiers who fell in the liberation of the city and district; local heroes of war and labor; and participants in the Civil War.

The new chapel church in honor of Saint Joasaph of Belgorod was built in 1998 on the site of the former chapel. Archbishop Ioann of Belgorod and Stary Oskol consecrated it on December 20. In Ioasafovsky Park, a chapel and a spiritual and educational center form a single architectural ensemble.

The “Dobryy angel mira” architectural and park complex opened on December 8, 2007, and is dedicated to the region’s patrons and benefactors. Together with the memorial site and religious buildings, it shows the variety of Grayvoron’s themes of remembrance and architecture.

Where is Grayvoron located?

Grayvoron lies at the confluence of the Vorskla and the smaller Grayvoronka stream. The city’s name comes from the stream.

What distinguishes the boys’ gymnasium buildings?

The old building was constructed in 1877 with funds from the local merchant community. The two-story new building was built in 1910 to a design by Boris Korniyenko and stands in the historic center.

Who is “Dobryy angel mira” dedicated to?

The “Dobryy angel mira” architectural and park complex is dedicated to the region’s patrons and benefactors. It opened on December 8, 2007.

For the broader travel overview: Grayvoronsky District.