Gorenki estate near Moscow. Sheremetyev Estate Museum Kuskovo: history, how to get there, what to see Design of estate parks

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. The real “pearl” of the palace and park ensemble of the estate is the 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".

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 of imperial 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.

The history of the now famous Kuskovo Estate begins at the end of the 16th century, when the Sheremetevs owned one small plot of this land, a “piece,” as Count Boris Petrovich Sheremetev called it. All other lands in the district belonged to Count Alexei Mikhailovich Cherkassky. Everything changed after the union of the son of Boris Sheremetyev and the only daughter of Alexei Cherkassky. Since then, the Sheremetevs have become the full owners of all this land. But the name remained - Kuskovo. To receive guests, by order of the count, a palace and an estate complex with an adjacent architectural composition were rebuilt, which can still be admired by any visitor to the Kuskovo estate museum. The estate belonged to the Sheremetev family for more than three hundred years, until 1917. In 1918, Kuskovo received the status of a museum-estate.

You can only enter the estate through the ticket office. In 2015, for a walk in the park you need to pay a symbolic amount of 40 rubles. The price for entering each building ranges from 50 to 150 rubles. For the first visit, we decided to limit ourselves to a general ticket for 350 rubles, which included the park, the Palace, the American Greenhouse and the Grotto, and paid 100 rubles separately. for photography. Also, entrance tickets can be purchased in each of the buildings without returning to the ticket office at the entrance.

Park in Kuskovo Estate

We enter a French park with many alleys, ponds and paths. Neatly trimmed trees and shrubs of regular geometric shapes lure you into their green labyrinths. It’s still unclear which way to go, but the guard at the entrance assured us that there are signs all around, so it’s impossible to get lost.

Alley of trees in front of the Italian House.

And here is the Italian house itself.

There are beautiful white statues everywhere.

Another alley, but this one leading to the Grotto.

A series of tunnels made of intertwined branches next to the Palace.

Obviously, Kuskovo is one of the favorite places for wedding ceremonies and photo sessions, where every bride feels like a real princess. During our short walk we managed to see several weddings and just photo sessions.

Ponds are an integral part of the entire park composition. The largest one is located right in front of the Palace. If the weather permits, you can sit on the lawn, read a book or chat with friends.

From the same place there is a wonderful view of the Grotto, the Italian House and the ice cream stand. 🙂

There is also a pond on the back side of the Grotto. Despite its small size, colorful fish swim in the pond, and the banks allow you to go straight down to the water. There is also a third pond on the territory of the estate, opposite the Dutch House, but, unfortunately, we did not have time to visit it.

Walking through the park, we unexpectedly came across a bird aviary in which a family of peacocks lived with their chicks.

The walk among the tall bushes turned out to be somewhat chaotic, every turn was terribly intriguing, my eyes ran wild, I wanted to visit everywhere at the same time, but time was running out, and I had to go to the Palace.

Palace in the Kuskov Estate

The Big House - that’s what the Palace used to be called - was where Count Sheremetev received guests. The carriages drove past a large pond and up gentle ramps straight up to the front door.

White and red marble walls in the lobby of the Palace.

To our surprise, one of the rooms turned out to be a billiard room. It turns out that in the second half of the 18th century. billiards was very popular. The room is decorated with a carved fireplace above which is a slightly gloomy panel “Landscape with ruins by the water.” On every wall hang paintings by unknown Russian artists of the 18th century.

The ceiling has five symmetrically arranged panels depicting “Spring”, “Summer”, “Autumn” and “Winter”.

The dining room is spacious and bright. Silk fabrics were not used in its decoration, as they absorb odors.

On the left side of the dining room there is a semicircular niche with a marble bust of Alexander the Great. Adjacent to the dining room is a pantry, which was used for storing dishes.

Typically, all rich houses of that era were heated with tiled stoves, but here there are also marble fireplaces that came to Russia from Western Europe. Probably, with double heating it became twice as warm. 🙂

There is a stove in one corner of the room and a fireplace in the other.

Another marble fireplace with marble busts of the owners of the estate: Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev and his wife Varvara Alekseevna.

The brightest room of the Kuskovo estate is the crimson living room with gilded picture frames and the Falling Leaves chandelier. On the sides of the mirror are marble busts of Field Marshal Boris Petrovich Sheremetev and his wife Countess Anna Petrovna.

The paintings show a ceremonial (full-length) portrait of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna and Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev.

The front bedroom is also a fashion borrowed from Europe. The interior includes portraits of the owners of the estate.

It is not clear what purposes such a small bed was intended for, decorative, or really for relaxation?

The office-office is much more modest than the formal living rooms. Initially, the walls were enlivened by a variety of paintings symmetrically inserted into oak panels in size and subject matter. In the 80s XVIII century the paintings were removed, but traces of their presence can still be seen on the walls.

Of particular value is a table depicting a panorama of Kuskovsky Park. On the tabletop there is not a drawing, but a mosaic made from various types of wood.

A personal restroom, distant from the ceremonial interiors, was intended for putting dresses, wigs and makeup in order. The room is upholstered in English chintz. The room was heated by the only example in the palace of connecting a stove with a fireplace. The restroom perfectly combines an authentic Chinese cabinet, a Russian office cabinet stylized as “China” with a hinged lid, English chairs and a German flower rack. The dressing table is draped in a heavy burgundy fabric with lace in the style of the 18th century.

A secret door disguised as wallpaper. I'd like to know where it leads.

The sofa is a tribute to the fashion that came to Russia from the East in the second half of the 18th century. A room with a large wall-mounted sofa is intended for relaxation. Hanging on the wall are small female portraits in oval frames, the so-called “female heads”, especially fashionable in Russia at that time.

Behind the Divan you can see the Library, which mostly served for storing various scientific objects in display cases: a globe, a star sphere, a camera obscura, a spyglass, glass, bone, mother-of-pearl, etc. These items were supposed to indicate the enlightenment and refined taste of the owner of the estate. The carved gilded chair was made to order in the famous Moscow workshop of P. Spol especially for the arrival of Catherine II in Kuskovo in 1787.

The daily bedchamber was intended for rest during the day. The blue color scheme of walls and furniture creates an atmosphere of peace and comfort. The fireplace is decorated with French marble inserts with paintings “in the Pompeian style.”

The painting of the Everyday Bedchamber is represented by intimate (up to half the body) portraits of the children of Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev.

The art room is a small home gallery. On the walls of the Picture Room there were works of painting from various Western European schools of the 16th-18th centuries: German, Italian, French, Flemish, Dutch. The paintings almost completely covered the walls and the independent value of the paintings was partly lost, since they were selected according to size and subject matter, maintaining a similar color scheme.

The Dance Hall or Mirror Gallery is the largest and most formal hall of the palace, intended for ceremonial dinners and dances. A large number of mirrors visually expands the room. The walls are decorated with gilded wreaths and medallions with profiles of ancient warriors.

This is where the excursion “trail” around the Palace ends, everyone goes out into the courtyard - into a French park, decorated with symmetrical flower beds and various sculptures.

We immediately saw another photo shoot. 🙂 This photo shows especially clearly that the Palace is made of wood!

We walk towards the Great Stone Orangery, look back at the Palace...

Another view of the Palace from the very “heart” of the park.

View from the same place of the Large Stone Greenhouse.

Built in the 1770s. The large stone greenhouse was originally intended to house topiary (figured) plants; now it houses various exhibitions.

American greenhouse in the Kuskovo estate

Our goal was to the right of the Big Stone Greenhouse - this is the American Greenhouse. Previously there were greenhouses for tropical plants, now there is also an exhibition hall. During our visit, there was an exhibition of Russian porcelain from the 18th – early 20th centuries.

For the first time in the history of the museum, the most complete collection of Russian porcelain in the country is presented. The exhibition is structured according to a chronological principle, starting from the mid-18th century. and ending with the beginning of the 20th century. Products from the best porcelain factories in Russia are demonstrated: the Imperial Porcelain Factory, private enterprises of Gardner, Popov, Batenin, Yusupov, Safronov and other factories of Gzhel, Sipyagin, Kudinov, Kornilov, Kuznetsov. We were strictly forbidden to photograph the exhibition.

Pavilion "Grotto" in the Kuskovo Estate

The Grotto Pavilion is the most unusual structure of the entire Estate and another tribute to European fashion! It is the Kuskovsky Grotto that is the only one in Russia that has preserved its original interior decoration to this day.

The first grottoes began to be built in the 16th century. in Italy (translated from Italian as “cave”), inside which either baths or a fountain were installed. At the Kuskovo Estate, the Grotto also played the role of a saving place on a hot summer day. The dome of the pavilion is crowned with a gushing fountain.

“Grottos are made in secluded areas of the garden, or in forests. Their appearance from the outside should represent savagery; but the interior requires decoration with various shells, mirrors, crystallizations and other shiny stones. The entrance to them, to increase the cold, is located on the north side. However, frequent repairs of grottoes entail difficulties.”. (Levshin V.A. “Necessary and complete housekeeping”, 1795)

The grotto consists of three halls: central, northern and southern. The central hall is painted in green and pink marble.

Several paintings made entirely of shells are also exhibited here.

We were told that in the Grotto there is a table that grants wishes. You need to find your zodiac sign on it and make a wish, and it will certainly come true! 🙂

We go to the northern hall, made in cold colors.

There are entire paintings of shells on the ceiling and walls! And every visitor to the pavilion must find dragons on the ceiling. There is also a baby dragon sitting in the photo below! It's brick-colored with a curled tail and a toothy, gaping mouth - on the right in the photo!

And here in the center of the photo a yellow dragon is fighting a green snake.

We move to the southern hall; its color scheme is warm, in contrast to the northern hall. It’s a pity that the photo doesn’t show how the walls sparkle and shimmer when sunlight hits them!

And there's a dragon living on the ceiling too! In the photo below he is at the very top, eating grapes. The photo is not the best, the dragon’s tail has been cut off, but you can see the wings lowered down and the mouth open.

At the other end of the hall (between the windows) sits a beautiful bird of paradise. It’s not very clear what she’s doing, maybe drinking water from the fountain?

The interior design took about 10 years. (1761 – 1775) This work was carried out by the German master Johann Vocht. The decoration used tuff (a porous rock used as a finishing material), glass, pieces of mirrors, gypsum stucco and thousands of shells of 24 types. The dolls installed in the niches of both halls were purchased by Count P.B. Sheremetev in 1775 especially for the Grotto.

Returning home, we were surprised to discover that we hadn’t even visited half of the entire estate! So the visit will have to be repeated. 🙂

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
Object of cultural heritage of the Russian Federation

Content:

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 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. The 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 upper 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 structure is the 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 to retire, 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

The original interiors have been preserved to this day in the palace - marble fireplaces, 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 that has been preserved in Moscow since the 18th century. The regular park contains small ponds, along the banks of which the main estate pavilions stand. There were not so many buildings in the picturesque English park "Guy". 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.

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 such 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 to early 19th centuries. 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 Zolotilov Heath and the village of Korobkino, consisting 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 main entrance with tall white columns in a classical style appeared.
• A wonderful park was created.
• 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 grew. 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. The tuberculosis dispensary has such a beautiful name.

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. You 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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