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Another important change that took place in
Moscow in the 17th century was the increased use of masonry in the construction
of dwellings for the boyars and the well-to-do. Until then, stone and bricks
had been used for building churches and fortifications and, as an exception, a
palace for the tsars or a mansion (Palati) for the top boyars, replacing the
wooden "Khoromi." The first known private brick house in Moscow dates
from 1471. It was built by the rich merchant Tarokan; it was soon followed by a
mansion for the boyar Dmitrii Hovrin. The boyars Romanov, the future Russian
dynasty, received their brick mansion only at the end of the 16th century. It
was here that Tsar Mikhail Romanov was born in 1596. In the eighteen-sixties
the mansion was restored and turned into a museum. After being neglected for
several years after the revolution, it was again cleaned and restored and
visitors can see this unique example of the ancient boyar dwelling. Many would
be disappointed to see how simple, modest and small were the living quarters of
the greatest Russian boyars. The existing mansion, built in 1656-1657 for the
"Doumnii Diak" (a sort of a secretary to the tsar) Averkii Kirillov,
represents a considerable improvement. This large, two-story building has a
long entrance hall in the middle, from which doors on both sides lead to its
rooms. In the streets close to and around the Kremlin there were many princely
and boyar palati and khoroma, but none has reached the 20th century in its
original form and shape. The mansion that Prince Vasilii V. Golitsyn, built at
the end of the 17th century was a great luxury for its time. The prince, a
convinced supporter of the western way of life and ideas, was Tsarevna Sophie's
principal adviser and minister of foreign affairs. He spoke several foreign
languages including Latin. Foreign visitors remarked that the Prince was a very
handsome and elegant man. Those who saw his home in the Tverskoy Boulevard
spoke of its great luxury and taste, which could match that of most of the
princely palaces in the west.
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