Features of the architecture of german colonies southern Bessarabia

Abstract

German colonists made a huge contribution to the development of southern Bessarabia. Their farms were an important part of the economic complex of these territories, and the settlements were exemplary villages. The Germans greatly influenced the architectural appearance of these lands, creating their own unforgettable and distinctive style. The aim of the article is to consider the architectural features of the German colonies of Southern Bessarabia. To do this, the author drew a wide range of sources, including the results of the research project «Material Culture of the German Population of Southern Bessarabia», which was conducted in the former German colonies in the south of the modern Odessa region. It is established that the German colonies of Southern Bessarabia have a number of architectural features that can be traced from one settlement to another and create a single characteristic complex. In particular, the planning of settlements was almost the same for most colonies. Yards were also organized and built according to similar projects. German houses, which include a large number of outbuildings, are found in every settlement. The appearance of the houses and courtyards of the German colonists of Southern Bessarabia showed a peculiar Southern colonial style, which had little to do with the appearance of peasant estates in Germany.