Inconspicuous Uzhgorod artifacts of past ages (PHOTOS)

The photos below are just a drop in the sea.

In fact, Uzhgorod, at least its old, historical part, is filled with such small, not very noticeable but very interesting artifacts reminding us of past times, past epochs.  Not only the most famous, the most popular Czechoslovakian or Austro-Hungarian era. The Soviet era also left a lot of interesting objects.

The first example is a small shop at the end of Bercheni street. Perhaps some archive researcher can find out what store was located there in the beginning. But in this century alone, this premises has been occupied by several different studios, workshops, shops selling everything from second-hand clothes to spare parts. Now the store is empty, it is for rent. 

However, the most interesting thing about it is the old shutters closing the windows. They are authentic from the Austro-Hungarian period.Although many layers of paint hide the past beauty and an interesting engineering idea.  Look at these locks, these lions from the elements of the decor. Come and touch the history.

And look at the handle of the door, which is now locked waiting for the new tenant… 

It is almost a miracle that these shutters have been preserved in our time. And I hope that they will not be replaced during the next repair. Although careful restoration, of course, is necessary…

Two more interesting objects from the famous Galagov. The most well-known artifacts are, of course, hydrants. But look, how the drainage was arranged back there. Water was drained not on sidewalks, as is often done now, but into underground pipes.

Interesting, isn’t it? Unfortunately, most of it is not used now…

Nearby, we noticed another artifact from the past – a heavy metal hatch in the cellar window. These doors were used to deliver firewood and coal for basement boilers.

There are not many of them left. Let’s take a closer look and find out the manufacturer …

By the way, these hatches are clearly from more recent times than the Rafanda building, they are smaller than the windows, which means that they were probably installed after the occupation of Czechoslovakia, but (since they were made in Budapest) before the arrival of the Soviet troops. And the authentic windows look like this.

Now, they are mostly abandoned, rust-eaten, and in most cases replaced with faceless double-glazed windows…

Or something like this…

Leaving the Rafanda, let’s pay attention to the magnificent lanterns with the numbers of entrances. Simplicity, style, charisma…

 I mentioned the Soviet era at the beginning for a reason. Because among the interesting artifacts of the city, I was struck by a plain plate in the socialist propaganda style, which has also been miraculously preserved in one of the yards of a five-story building in the Shakhta. Good metal, wonderful enamel. Not like some modern piece of plastic! And the artist’s hand is immediately noticable, this is not a printer after all…

Honestly, sometimes I’m afraid to publicize such photos. I’m afraid to attract the attention of some "collector" who will come here in the night with cutters and steal these unique things. And will take them out of the environment where they belong. Well, let’s hope that this photo review will not cause any harm.

And finally, a situation where destruction is beneficial.

Military sites in Soviet times were surrounded by solid concrete fences. Ordinary citizens were not allowed to see what was going on inside. Even if it’s not some super-secret missile facility, but just a military hospital. Like the one on Drugety street.

Now, the fence is not maintained and it has begun to crumble. And it turned out that… it is for the better! The concrete "coat" was hiding a very attractive, light forged fence! Admit that if this metal "skeleton" is stripped bare, both the street and the building of the hospital will look much more aesthetically pleasing!

I wish all readers lots of aesthetics and history around!