House of the weeping nymphs
The House of the weeping nymphs[1][2] is located near the city garden at 49 Semenichina Street in Mariupol.
History
The house marks the family tragedy of the city architect Victor Nilsen who designed and built the house for his family and in memory of his beloved daughter. He dedicated this building to his daughter, who died of typhoid fever.
Architecture
The architecture of the house is influenced by the Vienna Secession and Art Nouveau. The house has a high roof, splendid stucco work and patterned cornices. A tower dominates one corner and has a face of a nymph. The nymph's face is similar to the face of Nielsen's daughter, who died of typhus. When it rains, drops flow down the face like tears. It seems that the nymph is crying about Nielsen's family tragedy.
References
- The Architecture of Mariupol — and the legacy of Viktor Nielsen
- Vikroriya Rymshan: Таємниці Маріуполя: що сталося з особняком архітектора Нільсена (English:"Secrets of Mariupol: What happened to the villa of the architect Nielsen?")