Time to read: 6 minutes(s)

Near Tyumen, in a former gardening complex for shipbuilders, stands the fairytale home of Nikolai Popov, a craftsman and enthusiast. The 73-year-old retiree has spent the last six years building the hut, decorating it with items the owners decided to get rid of. While neighbors and tourists call his structure a pile of trash, he's nailing down yet another trinket. He says he'll keep doing this as long as he can.

Instead of a burnt house, there is a colorful palace

A painted chest, a local church, grandfather's minaret. That's the name of Nikolai Popov's house, clearly visible from the highway. It appears to be a large, brightly coloured mansion, but in reality, it's a split-level building. Drive closer and take a closer look, and you'll see it's like a Soviet postcard—benches, outbuildings, multi-coloured iron sheets on the awning, windows, and uneven rooms. A pensioner built it entirely with his own hands.

Nikolai Popov worked at the Tyumen Shipyard for 35 years. He started as a mechanic, then became the head of the transport section, providing the shipyard with everything it needed to "deliver, transport, lift, and lower." He proudly recalls how he provided rail, water, and road transport for everyone. As an employee of the shipyard, he was given a plot of land 20 kilometers outside of Tyumen. He built a single-story brick house, then a second wooden one. The house remained ordinary throughout its history, becoming "extraordinary" only a few years ago, after a fire.

I'm a lover of truth, I strive for justice. Our road has been narrowed and isn't being repaired, and our forest is being built over. I don't keep quiet about it. So, my house was burned down. The second floor was completely destroyed, only the first floor—the stone one—survived. Everything had to be rebuilt—that's when I started taking what was under my feet.

— Nikolai Popov tells the publication “NotMoscow Speaking.”

Now, in his free time, the man wanders from one abandoned house to another in Tyumen, from one garbage dump to the next, collecting unwanted items: old broken watches, records, children's toys, embossed panels, "I love Tyumen" advertising banners, ceramic figurines, chandeliers, icons, Soviet red stars, hubcaps, old peeling fences, and thousands of other things. Then he nails them to the house.

"I found something, and my soul was unleashed. The thing is, I do all this for the soul, for my family. When you build for the soul, the soul rejoices. I built something, drew a bird, nailed something down—the soul felt good," says Nikolai Popov. "I walk around the city's dumps, the places where houses are torn down and lives are destroyed. I pick up something no one wants, and I already know where it's going. I remake it, I forge it."

Gradually, the Popov mansion grew—all the newly discovered items required new space: a second floor, an attic, a balcony, an extension, stairs, and walkways were added. The grounds around the house weren't neglected either; the entire fence was covered in advertising banners and huge artificial flowers. And in the garden, Nikolai built a playground for his grandson: it's also magical and complex.

"I don't have a favorite element of the house. I love my family. Family isn't a thing, but it's the most precious thing I have. Especially my grandson—I do everything for him: I made a nursery like this," Nikolai says, leading the way to show the house closer.

To nail the picture into place, Nikolai takes a ladder, places it against the wall of the house, climbs up, and calls his wife for help. Maria sighs and goes to him. She doesn't like her husband's infatuation, but she doesn't resist, doesn't argue, or dissuade Nikolai from his plan. She simply supports the huge metal sheets, hands over the wooden pieces, trinkets, and various other elements that have found a place on the wall.

All I can do is support him. He collects these little things, makes things, and I either hold them or carry them—that's my job. My husband walks around the city, to dumps, trash bins, broken and abandoned houses, bringing things, we load them into the car and drive them here. He sees something and already knows where it belongs. He has his own plan and layout in his head. I don't like all this, but I like my husband—he's golden. We've been together for 50 years." She adds that she's glad Nikolai has a hobby.

Maria, Nikolai's wife, tells the story.

"He's a former athlete, after all, trophies, medals, all that. He's always been into sports, and now he's retired. Because of all the stuff he's got, he walks a lot, moves a lot, he's living it!"

For Maria herself, Nikolai built a kitchen from found items - he gave her his garage for this project.

The Popovs' neighbors have mixed feelings about their mansion: some condemn it, others are glad that their neighbor and their gardening community have received attention. The Popovs say no one has done anything nasty, and that's the main thing.

"My husband received an offer to turn the house into a museum. But what museum? It's just our home," Maria says as she leaves.

The family will spend the summer at their dacha, and when the weather gets colder, they will return to the city, where Nikolai Popov will begin a new search for unique items for his home.