THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS OF MALY GALAGOV IN UZHHOROD 1919 – 1938.

Abstract

The paper examines the history of the construction of administrative buildings in the new Maly Galagov quarter of Uzhhorod by the government of the Czechoslovakia Republic during the years 1919–1938. After the incorporation of Subcarpathian Rus into the republic in 1919, the question arose regarding developing the region's capital to become autonomous. Numerous officials and experts from various levels, mainly from the Czech lands, arrived in Uzhhorod to organize the administrative apparatus. The city's infrastructure, including administrative buildings, could not accommodate the newly arrived officials. The existing buildings did not meet modern standards or the capacity required for the city's prospective growth. This prompted the central government to consider the construction of ministry branches and other government buildings within tight deadlines. For this purpose, a non-urbanized territory was selected, which required preliminary preparation for the beginning of construction works. Accordingly, building design was carried out in parallel with constructing other objects and laying roads and municipal communications. As a result, by 1938, eleven administrative and other ministry buildings were erected, which are the subject of this research. The basis for the paper is the materials from the State Archives of the Zakarpattia Region in Berehove, particularly Fund No. 21, «Regional Administration of Subcarpathian Ruthenia, Uzhhorod.» The paper is also supplemented by comparing the situation in the architecture of administrative buildings in the republic's cities, such as Prague, Bratislava, and others, based on information from contemporary and modern sources and literature. The paper includes an analysis of the features of anti-crisis, urban planning, and technical solutions. In this context, the issue of stylistics is not overlooked as one of the factors of state policy identity. Through architecture and urban planning, the vectors and priorities set by the Czechoslovak Republic in the multi-ethnic region, which was then Subcarpathian Ruthenia with its capital in Uzhhorod, can be traced. The article presents material introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. Research into the history of the construction of administrative buildings in Uzhhorod during the interwar period will help outline this issue and provide a basis for research on each highlighted object.