The Kuskovo estate is one of the most beautiful noble residences in Russia. Sheremetyev Estate Museum Kuskovo: history, how to get there, what to see Grotto in the estate
The Gorenki estate is located literally a ten-minute drive from Moscow, on the traffic-plagued Entuziastov Highway, formerly known as the Vladimir Road. Who would have thought that the tattered fence, past which I drove hundreds of times, there is a wonderful estate, which in the age of the nobility was very famous, it was owned by the Dolgorukys, Razumovskys, and Yusupovs.
Gorenki Estate
One Sunday, my friends and I went on a tour of the Moscow region as part of a group of like-minded people and an excellent guide. The Gorenki estate was appointed as the meeting place. Following the directions of the navigator, we turned right, leaving the Enthusiasts Highway to a strange fence and an unobstructed entrance. Grandparents were constantly driving in and out of the arch in their cars, clearly going to the dacha (judging by the seedlings in the car, the Panama hats on their heads, and the shovels and pitchforks sticking out of the windows). It turned out that there is a seedling nursery popular among summer residents. And later I learned from the guide that on the territory of Gorenok there was one of the most famous botanical gardens in the Moscow region, perhaps this fact somehow influenced the location of the nursery.
We parked near the nursery, poured hot coffee from a thermos and, chatting happily, waited for the cars of the rest of the excursion participants.
The first thing that struck me was the feeling that we were somewhere outside the city, in the middle of a forest, and as if there were no modern highways, new buildings or hypermarkets a hundred steps away from here.
As soon as everyone had gathered, the guide took us to the park area of the estate, stopped in front of the main house and began to introduce us to the history of this place. By the way, entry to the territory is free; you don’t have to ask security.
Gorenki Estate
The estate got its name from the Gorenki River, on the banks of which it is located. Scribes mentioned Gorenki in books back at the end of the 16th century, so the guide had a lot to tell - we listened to the stories for at least 40 minutes, despite the strong wind and the viscous mud from the mud under our feet.
Various owners lived on this land. By the end of the 17th century, a village was formed here, where there were 6 peasant households. After 15 years, the Lords appeared in Gorenki. The steward of Emperor Peter I founded an estate here, which was intended for his daughter Praskovya as a dowry. It was Prince Yuri Khilkov.
A few years later, Praskovya became the wife of Alexei Dolgorukov. Her husband built the first palace here, and before construction began, he also added Chizhevo to the Gorenki estate. Their son Ivan was successful at the imperial court and had an excellent career.
Peter II often visited Gorenki, and soon Ivan Dolgoruky became a favorite of the young emperor. His father had a plan to marry the sovereign to his young daughter Catherine. Things were heading towards a wedding, even an engagement took place, but the dreams of the enterprising father were destroyed by the unexpected death of the emperor. The Dolgorukys tried to draw up a forged will, according to which Peter declared his bride to be his heir, but no one believed this paper. Instead of intermarrying with the highest persons, the Dolgorukovs went into distant exile, and their lands were confiscated.
In 1747, the estate was bought by Count Alexei Razumovsky. The famous favorite of Empress Catherine the Great is building a stone house here, and also building a church on the estate in the name of the All-Merciful Savior. After the count died, Gorenki was inherited by his brother Kirill. He decided to give Gorenki to his half-son Alexei. Having acquired a new owner, Gorenki blossomed. Alexey completely rebuilt the palace, and in front of it he laid out an amazing park, which was decorated with cascades of ponds and cool grottoes. The owner of the estate was engaged in collecting rare plants, therefore, a botanical garden was gradually formed on the territory of the estate. For this purpose, several greenhouses were erected, which could boast more than 7 thousand different plants.
Until the mid-19th century, the Razumovsky Botanical Garden was considered a miracle near Moscow. The count's guests looked with interest at the bamboo and palm trees, Jamaican cedar and cypress trees. Nowadays you won’t surprise anyone with a palm tree, but in the 18-19th century no one went on vacation to the Maldives. Even outlandish American spruces grew here. Serious scientists, travelers, and naturalists began to visit Gorenka. In addition to plants, valuable collections of books and art objects were kept in the estate. Just think what a botanical garden could be like now! But the count's heirs did not appreciate the collection.
Gorenki Estate
After the death of the count-collector, they sold his brainchild to Count Yusupov. Yusupov moved Razumovsky’s valuable collections and library to his other residence, which was located in the Arkhangelskoye estate. Surely, many have been to Arkhangelskoye and were amazed at the beauty of this estate. Now we know that the Gorenki estate, which most residents of the Moscow region have not even heard of, made a huge contribution to this.
Yusupov did not own Gorenki for long. After some time, he sold the estate to Nikolai Volkov. The new owner of the estate was a guardsman, leader of the Moscow nobility and decided to approach the issue of developing the estate from a practical side. Instead of lush celebrations or cheerful balls, I decided to get down to business, especially since the large rooms of the palace were perfect for this. In his chambers he built a very hectic paper mill. Volkov also did not notice the beauty of the local park, created by the previous owners with warmth and good taste. On its territory, he created a small foundry - a plant for the manufacture of machine tools. The merchant Vasily Tretyakov became his companion.
Production equipment hummed right in the palace interiors, and their owner was not at all embarrassed by this. The luxurious chambers of the spoiled princes began to inexorably collapse. The right side of the building fell into disrepair the most. Already at the stage of installation of the machines, they pierced ancient ceilings, which the owner ordered to simply seal with plaster.
After the closure of the paper weaving factory in 1885, the estate was no longer needed and fell into complete disrepair. For a long time he did not have a zealous owner. Only 25 years later the estate was acquired by the manufacturer Sevryugov. Under him, the park and palace were restored. But soon the government changed in the country.
Gorenki Estate
The revolution abolished private property. The executive committee was located in the estate. Stalin, who everywhere he went tried to do something that would remind him of his homeland, ordered the planting of his favorite coniferous trees. That is why near Gorenki we can now see pine trees that at least a little remind us of the Caucasian landscapes.
Even later, part of the palace was transferred to an orphanage, and then the estate was turned into a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients.
Many cultural figures also loved to spend time in Gorenki. Meyerhold came here with his wife Zinaida Reich, the first wife of Sergei Yesenin. They had a dacha in the vicinity of the estate. The flower of creative bohemia came to visit them - Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Olesha, Tolstoy, Garin. Here, in nature, the children of Sergei Yesenin grew up, who after the divorce remained with their mother.
What is now in the Gorenki Estate
Now in Gorenki there is a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients. Hearing this, I shivered slightly, but since we were walking around and didn’t go into buildings, there was nothing to be afraid of. In addition to our group, people with dogs and couples were walking through the park, apparently because entry to the territory is free.
There is a lot to see at the Gorenki estate. The manor house is well preserved.
Manor's house of the Gorenki estate
It is believed that it was built by the architect Menelas at the end of the 18th century. A large majestic colonnade connects it with the outbuildings.
Colonnade of the Gorenki estate
Colonnade of the Gorenki estate
In addition, to the left of the main house you can find an artificial grotto, which, however, is almost destroyed, but you can still admire its faded beauty, as well as the driveway, shaped like a semicircle. The grotto served for storing food and drinks that required refrigeration. For example, Gorenok’s guests loved to drink cold champagne, which at that time was considered a very exotic drink.
Grotto at the Gorenki estate
In the park you can also find an ancient, almost collapsed staircase that went down to a pond that has now disappeared.
Ancient staircase to the pond
Finally, a farewell look at the estate.
Gorenki Estate
How to get to Gorenok
To take a walk around the estate, you need to get to Balashikha. By car the trip will be tireless and short. The Gorenki estate is located approximately five kilometers from the Moscow Ring Road along the Entuziastov Highway.
By bus you can get from Novogireevo metro station to the stop "Sanatorium Red Rose", minibuses 291 (peak hours), 444, 322, 25, 1012, 108, 110, 125, 193, 588, 473, 291 (not during peak hours), 550, 886, 587, 993.
One of the many attractions of Moscow is the “Ruins” grotto, located in the Alexander Garden. Its original meaning was a reminder of the revival of the city after the devastation of Napoleon's troops in 1812. An interesting fact is that the walls of the grotto contain fragments of buildings that were destroyed during that difficult period for Russia. The author and restorer of the structure is Osip Ivanovich Bove. The structure was built in 1841 and was not only a monument, but also a decoration, since artificial grottoes in those years were a newfangled element in landscape architecture.
The “Ruins” grotto is a small recess located at the foot of the Middle Arsenal Tower of the Kremlin. This is a beautiful semicircular arch, which is made of black granite and red brick, framing a marble gate with four low columns. During the royal walks through the garden, as well as on the days of special events, the royal orchestra was located in the grotto, since live music was an integral part of the parks Tsarist Russia. Currently, the grotto is a favorite place for newlyweds.
Pavilion Grotto in the Kuskovo estate
One of the most interesting buildings in Kuskovo is the Grotto, built in 1755-1761 under the leadership of F. Argunov. The Baroque stone pavilion on a three-stage plinth is lavishly decorated with sculpture in the niches, decorations on the pediments, and lion masks above the windows. The walls of the Grotto are decorated with colored glass and limestone tuff. According to the architect's plan, the Grotto was supposed to personify the elements of stone and water.
Address: Russia, Moscow, Yunosti street (Ryazansky Prospekt metro station)
Main attractions: Palace, Italian house, Dutch house, Grotto Pavilion, Hermitage Pavilion, Large stone greenhouse, Church of the All-Merciful Savior
Coordinates: 55°44"10.7"N 37°48"30.9"E
Cultural heritage site Russian Federation
History of the estate
The first information about the estate is found in chronicles of the 16th century. The ancient estate, occupying more than 30 hectares of land, was located in the east of Moscow and belonged to one of the richest noble families in Russia - the Sheremetevs. At the beginning of the 17th century, apart from the boyar's courtyard and a wooden church, there was nothing else on the estate.
General view of the estate
Its heyday dates back to the 18th century, when the owner of the estate was Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev. He turned an ordinary courtyard into a luxurious architectural ensemble consisting of a palace, a park area and ponds. The owner organized lavish receptions at the estate, which sometimes attracted tens of thousands of guests.
Pavilions and elegant gazebos appeared for entertainment events held in the courtyard. In addition, the buildings of a greenhouse, a menagerie, a hunting lodge and a cabinet of curiosities were built. After the revolutionary events of 1917, the estate was nationalized, and two years later it became the State Museum, which was subsequently combined with the collection of the Museum of Ceramics.
Manor Palace
The estate territory is divided into three parts: the dammed area with the Menagerie, the English park “Guy” and the strict French park. The best preserved part of the estate is that located in its center.
The main place here is given to the palace or Great House, which was erected by order of the owner of the estate in the traditions of early classicism. Construction work was led by the architect Karl Blank, and they were carried out from 1769 to 1775. The palace building was built of wood, which was later plastered and painted with soft pink paint.
Church of the All-Merciful Savior with bell tower
The decoration of the façade was a portico with a colonnade. The one in the center bore the monogram of the Sheremetev family - the letters “PS” were located under the count’s crown. The porticos were decorated with carvings on the sides. The palace had two floors. The lower floor was occupied by wine cellars and utility rooms, and on the top floor the owner held receptions. You could get into the palace building via the main staircase.
Pavilion "Grotto"
There was an Italian House for meeting guests or small receptions. It was built in the middle of the 18th century under the leadership of Yuri Ivanovich Kologrivov.
On the shore of the pond, an elegant Dutch house has survived to this day. It appeared earlier than other estate buildings. The unusual name was chosen by the owner of Kuskovo - Sheremetev, as a memory of the love of Tsar Peter I for Holland. The house was surrounded by a garden with tulips, and it looked very festive and attractive.
Pavilion "Greenhouse"
Another unusual building– Baroque pavilion “Grotto”, personifying the elements of water and stone. It was built according to the design of Ivan Petrovich Argunov for 6 years, starting in 1755. The walls of the pavilion are decorated with limestone tuff and multi-colored glass.
For those who wanted privacy, there was the Hermitage pavilion, made in the traditions of early classicism. Here guests could have a private conversation and even have lunch, since special mechanisms raised the dining table into the Hermitage hall, located on the top floor.
Italian house
In the east of the park area there is an “Aviary” - a large round wooden cage designed for unusual birds. Dances and concerts were held in the central part of the Orangerie pavilion. It was connected by glass passages to other, smaller pavilions. To satisfy spiritual needs, the Church of the All-Merciful Savior stood on the Sheremetev estate.
Dutch house
Interior decoration of manor buildings
To this day, the palace has preserved original interiors- fireplaces made of marble, mirrors of unusual shapes, paintings, parquet, stucco, etc. The furniture in the halls is decorated with carvings and gilding, and the walls are covered with silk upholstery. The creation of interiors was carried out by Russian serfs and free craftsmen, as well as foreign furniture makers and masters of decorative and applied arts.
Swiss house
The porcelain collection of the Sheremetev family is exhibited in the Dutch House. These are mainly vases and tableware. Here you can also see beautiful paintings. The first floor of the house is decorated with unusual panels made of colored marble and antique sculptures.
The Grotto pavilion is divided into three parts - northern and southern rooms, and a central hall. On its walls hang landscapes depicting the sea and decorated with shells. In the pavilion you can see porcelain items made in the shape of various sea creatures. The central hall of the “Grotto” is painted like marble.
Hermitage Pavilion
Design of manor parks
There are many sculptures installed in the austere French park. This is the only example of a garden preserved in Moscow from the 18th century. The regular park contains small ponds, along the banks of which the main estate pavilions stand. The picturesque English park "Guy" did not have so many buildings. Here was only the House of Solitude, where the count’s family lived. The premises of the menagerie were located on the site of Zaprudny Park.
The Kuskovo Estate Museum is a unique museum where the palace and park ensemble of the 18th century has been amazingly preserved. For several centuries, this “noble nest” belonged to representatives of the Sheremetev count family. The Kuskovo estate reached its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev took possession of the estate. The sophistication of the architecture, magnificent parks - landscape and regular, the mirror surface of the ponds - all this served as a backdrop, surrounded by grandiose theatrical celebrations. They were especially magnificent on the occasion of the arrival of royalty - Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, Polish King Stanislav Poniatowski and Austrian Emperor Joseph II were there. Catherine the Great visited the estate six times! To entertain the guests, the owner of Kuskov, Count P.B. Sheremetev built pavilions in the regular park dedicated to various European countries: the Italian and Dutch houses and the French Hermitage pavilion, which still delight museum visitors today. A real "pearl" palace and park ensemble The estate is a wooden Palace, built in the mid-18th century and has preserved its interiors to this day. Among the unique and one-of-a-kind buildings is the Grotto park pavilion, which symbolizes the cave of the underwater kingdom. The Kuskovsky Grotto is the only one that has preserved its “grottoic” decoration, in the creation of which numerous sea and river shells were used. Among Moscow estate parks, the Kuskovo estate park also occupies a special place. This is the only park of its kind in Moscow that has preserved its layout and is decorated with 18th-century sculpture. In 1919, the estate became a museum. In 1932, the Museum of Ceramics was transferred to Kuskovo, created on the basis of the art collection of A.V., nationalized after the revolution. Morozova. In 1937, the two museums were legally united. Today the museum is the owner of one of the world's largest collections of ceramics and glass from various countries from antiquity to modern times. Every year, the museum organizes exhibitions, holds classical music concerts, and revives ancient traditions of estate celebrations, receptions and festivities. Directions: metro station “Ryazansky Prospekt”, then bus. 133 and 208 to the stop. "Museum of Kuskovo"; metro station "Vykhino", then bus. 620, route. taxi 9M to the stop. "Museum of Kuskovo"; metro station "Novogireevo", then trol. 64, auto. 615, 247 to the stop. "Street of Youth".
Good afternoon friends! Moscow has many places for lovers of history, culture, and simply for those who like to walk through the park with a camera, or walk with children around the old city estate. Unfortunately, abandoned architectural monuments are not uncommon in Russia. The Gorenki estate is one of these places. It was once called the miracle of Moscow.
Unique botanical experiments took place here. Foreign guests came to marvel and learn what could be grown in gardens and parks.
First of all, I enjoyed the walk. We went with quite a large group and no one regretted the time spent in the old estate one bit. But, frankly, it’s sad to see such disregard for culture and one’s history.
Today we want to tell you about one of the largest estates near Moscow from the 18th century - early XIX century. It belonged to the old family of Counts Razumovsky. These are not its only famous owners.
A little history
The very first mention of a settlement on the Gorenka River occurs in the middle of the 16th century in the scribe book of the Moscow district for 1576 - 1578.
At that time, there was the Zolotilova Heath and the village of Korobkino, which consisted of several peasant and bobyl households. With good land for arable land, forest and lake.
The first wooden palace was built here by Prince Yuri Khilkov, the room steward of Peter I. The master's courtyard, then the place was already called Grenki, he gave to Prince Alexei Dolgorukov as a dowry for his daughter Praskovya.
Life on the estate changes dramatically. Alexey Dolgorukov expands his holdings and builds the first stone palace here.
As a result of palace intrigues, the son of Alexei Dolgorukov ends up in exile, and the Gorenka estate goes to the new owner - Alexei Kirillovich Razumovsky.
In 1747, Razumovsky decides to rebuild the house. He begins the construction of a church in the name of the All-Merciful Savior.
After his death, the estate passes to his brother Kirill, and then to his son Alexei.
Miracle near Moscow
Under Alexei Razumovsky, the real flourishing of the estate began.
- The palace was landscaped.
- A front entrance with tall white columns in a classical style appeared.
- A wonderful park was laid out.
- Artificial cascading ponds and grottoes were made.
- In 1809, the first Botanical Society in Russia was created in Gorenki.
Razumovsky himself was fond of breeding rare plants.
- This is how greenhouses and a large botanical garden appeared, in which about 7,000 of the most diverse and amazing plants from all over the world. There were also tropical plants that were difficult to grow and breed in our climate.
- The botanist F.B. worked at the estate. Fisher. After a while, he became the director of the Botanical Garden in St. Petersburg.
- Until 1830, the Razumovsky Botanical Garden was called one of the wonders of Moscow.
- Jamaican cedars and bamboo, real palm trees, and southern cypress trees were grown here. Travelers came here to admire such wonders.
After the death of Count Razumovsky, the decline and ruin of the estate begins. The heirs sold off all the best that had been created over the years.
Even collectible trees were resold. The estate did not just lose its uniqueness and grandeur. The wonderful park and the beautiful palace were about to disappear, sold brick by brick.
A sad story, but typical not only for Russia and Moscow. All over the world, great cultural monuments have disappeared for various reasons. Fortunately, in every land there were, are and will be caring people who do what they can to save cultural monuments.
Giveaway
Neighboring landowners buy curiosities and unique exhibits on the cheap. In 1827, Prince Nikolai Borisovich Yusupov bought the entire estate. He transports some collections and the library to his other estate in Arkhangelskoye.
The estate is bought by the district leader of the nobility (no, not Kisa Vorobyaninov), but by Guard Colonel Nikolai Volkov. He is not interested in culture and history, he is a representative of a new formation - a man who makes money.
Weaving looms were located in the princely chambers, and soon a cotton-printing and paper-weaving factory began operating right here.
A foundry producing machine tools is located in a beautiful park.
In 1885, production closed. The palace and park are falling into disrepair.
Many of the greatest cultural monuments are destroyed and disappear from the face of the earth for various reasons. Their story is sad and can be found in any culture. Take, for example, cities and temples lost in the jungle: Angkor Wat in Cambodia or India.
Fortunately, there have always been, are and will be caring people who do what they can to save and preserve the cultural monuments of their homeland.
For the Gorenki estate, such a savior was the manufacturer Vladimir Sevryugov. In 1910, he buys what remains of the once great estate. Together with the architect Sergei Chernyshev, he is restoring the palace and park.
But now the estate is facing political and economic changes.
After the end of the revolution, the headquarters of the volost executive committee was moved to Gorenki.
Part of the palace was given to the Stepan Razin orphanage.
In 1925, the Red Rose sanatorium was located here. This beautiful name carries a tuberculosis dispensary.
Already in 1926, one of the dachas on the territory of Gorensky Park was bought by Zinaida Reich and her husband, the famous director Vsevolod Meyerhold.
Zinaida Reich is Yesenin's first wife.
After Meyerhold was arrested, his archive was kept at dacha No. 3 (now Yesenin Street 3).
Our days
Today the estate complex belongs to the administrative district of Balashikha. The district property management held an auction and part of the territory was sold.
On the one hand, it is an architectural monument and a living heritage of Russian culture. On the other hand, there is land that is willingly bought. Thus, part of the lands of the former Gorenki estate was sold for private residential construction.
You can walk around the area, which is still “public”. What can we see here today?
- colonnade of the old palace
- part of the park
- church
The children of Sergei Yesenin once ran along these alleys, and significant figures from Russian history strolled. Now, the park is almost deserted.
Entrance to the estate is free, through the old gate, from the Gorkovskoye Highway (Entuziastov Highway).
The former greenhouse now houses the Flos garden nursery. Can buy good plants, including rare ones, despite the fact that the estate is classified as a historical heritage.
How to get there
- From Kursky station
Go to Gorenki station. From the station to the Estate it is another 2 km. You can get there by any bus departing from the station. - From metro station "Partizanskaya"
To Balashikha, by bus 336.
Address: Balashikha, Entuziastov highway, 2
Gorenki Estate on the map
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