izbu

izbu refers to a traditional Russian peasant dwelling. These structures were typically made of timber, with logs forming the walls. The typical izbu was a single-room dwelling, often divided into two main areas by a partition or simply by the arrangement of furniture. One side would be the living area, centered around a large, clay or brick stove which served as the primary source of heat and was also used for cooking. The stove often had a sleeping platform built into it or above it. The other side of the izbu was for storage and sometimes housed livestock, especially in winter. Windows were small, often covered with oiled cloth or animal bladders in earlier times before glass became common. The roof was usually thatched or made of wooden shingles. The layout and construction of an izbu varied slightly depending on the region and local resources, but the fundamental design remained consistent for centuries, reflecting the needs of rural Russian life.