Trading House of Merchant Matvey Kubrin
Merchant dynasty
More than a century ago, when Astana was still a small town known as Akmolinsk, the Kubrin merchants resided and conducted their business there. Revered not only within the town but also throughout the region, the Kubrins' dynasty thrived in trade. Their stores were regarded as the finest in town.
The origins of this merchant dynasty can be traced back to Konstantin Kubrin, who had two sons, Andrian and Matvey. They carried on their father's legacy and eventually emerged as prosperous and respected entrepreneurs. The iconic trading house, adorning the old city center for over a century, owes its existence to Matvey Kubrin, Konstantin's second son.
Matvey Kubrin had four sons and four daughters. Vasily, the eldest son, proved to be his father's dependable business partner. Their trade encompassed a diverse range of goods, including medicines, jewelry, household items, stationery, food, shoes, and clothing.
Built to last
Erected to stand the test of time, this one-story building was constructed in accordance with the architectural traditions of the renowned St. Petersburg school. Peasant settlers completed its construction between 1905 and 1907. During the same period, a manor was being built for Vasily Kubrin on a nearby street. Initially, the two structures were connected by an underground passage.
Situated at the intersection of two streets, the trading house's main entrance stands on the corner. Above the entrance lies a dome. The wings of the structure stretch along the streets and offer additional entrances. Noteworthy features of the store include its spacious windows.
In 1915, Matvey Kubrin relocated to Moscow, leaving the business in the hands of his son Vasily. Two years later, during the October Revolution when the Bolsheviks seized power, the trading house and residential estate of the Kubrins were nationalized. Over time, the building served various purposes, housing a workers and peasants club, a library, the first House of Soviets, the county economic department, and even a police station.
Tragically, in 1944, a significant fire ravaged the wooden structures, resulting in the building's closure for a decade. Only in 1984 did this enduring structure receive recognition as a cultural and historical monument. Following Kazakhstan's independence, an extensive reconstruction project restored the trading house of the Kubrin merchants to its original purpose. Today, once again, a shop – more precisely, a supermarket – operates within its walls.
How to get there?
Address: 37 Kenesary St.
The trading house of merchant Matvey Kubrin can be reached by buses # 1, 9, 17, 25, 31, and 32. The nearest bus stop is called «E. Rakhmadiyev Philharmonic Hall».
Other tourist attractions near the trading house:
- Manor of Merchant Vasily Kubrin
- Manor of Merchant P. Moiseyev
- E. Rakhmadiyev Philharmonic Hall
- Tree of Life Fountain
- Museum of Saken Seifullin
- Cathedral of Constantine and Helena
- Arbat Street
- Russian Drama Theater named after M. Gorky
- Monument to Khan Kenesary
- Respublika Avenue
- Esil River Embankment
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