Perhaps, you could think that this fairy building ensemble was constructed many-many centuries ago. However, this project was realised at the end of the 19th century for the rich merchant P.Schukin, famous collector of antiques. His collection was so huge, that he decided to find a perfect spacious place for it. Together with the architect B.Freudenberg he visited villages searching for the ancient patterns, that were reproduced after in the building design. The first building was constructed in 1893 and represented the traditional Russian "terem" with pagan simbols. A year after, he invited another architect A. Erichson to develop the project of the second building, more spacious and a bit austere. In 1905 Schukin gifted his formidable collection to the Russian Empire.
After revolution, Schukin's collection was transported to the Historical Museum, and in 1930s the biological museum was organised in this ensemble.
P.S. Unicorn is my favorite element here, it is so mysteriously seductive. According to the Slavic mythology, the unicorn is the king of all animals and its corn gives to a person enormous health and long life. I like Schukin's choice to make it the central detail :)
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