Why were the houses in Troieshchyna, Kyiv, referred to as "parrots" and "doves"? (photos)

Troieschyna is a historic area of Kyiv located on the left bank of the Dnipro River. While some may perceive it as a typical “concrete jungle”, this district boasts an intriguing history.

For instance, this residential complex was constructed at a rapid pace, but the architects chose not to make it "gray" and unexpressive. Instead, they decided to beautify the buildings in a unique way and make them "colorful."

"Telegraph" informs readers about the origins of Troieschyna and why the facades of the apartment buildings here were nicknamed "parrots" and "doves."

How the residential area became "colorful" and the reason behind its unique home decorations

The history of Troieschyna dates back to ancient times — approximately 1026 AD. By 1670, modern Troieschyna was already mentioned as the village of Troietchyna.

While the left bank of the capital was actively being developed with high-rises, the Troieschyna area was still a village. It officially became part of Kyiv on August 26, 1988.

The active construction of the residential area began in the 1980s. Microdistrict No. 5 was the first to be built and inhabited. It was commissioned in 1983, and construction continued vigorously.

Looking at the area today, one can immediately notice the distinctive architecture of Troieschyna. This is due to the rapid pace of construction, which resulted in taller buildings compared to others. Here, the first 22-story high-rise buildings in Kyiv were erected.

The reason for this was the overwhelming demand for apartments during the 1970s and 1980s, necessitating urgent relocation of people. The best solution was the construction of "concrete jungles" — a wide and tall urban residential area.

However, unique color solutions were used for the development of Troieschyna at that time. The architects involved in the project aimed to differentiate the typical high-rise buildings, add colors, and diversify the gray area. Thus, they began to actively incorporate colorful elements and patterns on the facades of the apartment blocks.

Among architects, the area became known as "colorful" due to the presence of red, yellow, blue, and brown buildings.

Initially, the patterns were intended to be made with tiles, but economic constraints prevailed. Consequently, the facades were painted, although they quickly faded. Despite this, the colorful houses are still referred to as "parrots," while the blue ones are called "doves."

It’s worth noting that few are aware that in 1857, a wooden Triumphal Arch was built at the site of the modern Air Fleet Overpass in the capital. This atypical structure for the capital was erected in honor of the visit of Emperor Alexander II and Maria Alexandrovna to Kyiv. The arch has a fascinating and convoluted history that is known to very few.

Previously, "Telegraph" reported that in Kyiv's Podil, there is a house of Peter I, which was built back in the late 17th century. This building is considered the oldest stone structure preserved in the capital and can tell the stories of many individuals.