'Simakov's Fissure' is growing and gaining new 'friends'.

      Cultural heritage sites that have stood on Vyatka land for nearly 200 years have been "feeling" worse with each passing day after the major renovation carried out in 2024.

      Recall that on April 3 residents of Kirov noticed that the central rotunda had begun to "split at the seams": a huge gap appeared at its base, the paint had cracked, and the columns were covered with rust-colored spots and had "become wavy."

      Nearly five months later Newsler.ru inspected both creations of provincial architect A. E. Timofeev and was horrified. Not a trace remained of their former splendor. The once majestic, previously renovated snow-white rotundas looked like forgotten ruins.

      The first thing that catches the eye when walking down the park's central alley is the orange rims at the bases of the columns. Approaching closer, it becomes clear that these are rusty metal plates that are supposed to encircle a row of slats forming the column. Some of them have already bent away — whether by themselves or with the help of vandals is unclear.

      The "Simakov gap," which the head of the city administration first "palpated" and then took under his control, is only widening. At the end of May three-dimensional "patches" appeared at its top and bottom which, it seems, serve neither a practical nor, let alone, an aesthetic purpose.

      The number of cracks at the base of the rotunda only grows with each "inspection." They are increasing in size, new ones are appearing, and in some places whole chunks of paint (sometimes together with putty) are falling off.

      The riverside rotunda has also suffered, albeit somewhat differently. Here the eye is first drawn to the boards under the dome that have yellowed. Chaotic drips have not only stained the wood but in some places helped expose it.

      The columns have a similar problem: their upper parts (the capitals) and the cap boards have cracked and "peeled." The same, unfortunately, has happened to the slats. Moreover, some of them have "become wavy." The tiles have also decided not to stay in place — be careful when climbing the steps.

      Recall that the renovation of the rotundas in Alexandrovsky Garden in Kirov was postponed several times. Initially the work was scheduled to be completed by October 2, 2023, but due to discovered defects the deadline was moved to December 1. Then the repair dragged on again, and the final completion date became June 1, 2024. In the end the rotundas were officially opened on June 12, on City Day.