Abramtsevo Estate (museum-reserve)
Abramtsevo Estate is a luxurious estate 60 km from Moscow, turned into a museum-reserve with the same name after the revolutionary events of 1917. The estate appeared several centuries ago, but it became truly famous thanks to the writer S. T. Aksakov and the industrialist S. I. Mamontov. I. Mamontov. Both owners of the estate sought not only to create a place of comfortable rest for themselves. Both Aksakov and Mamontov tried to turn the estate into a small cultural center. The picturesque nature of Abramtsevo gave inspiration to many representatives of creative professions of the XIX century. And Savva Mamontov’s love of collecting antiques made the estate a museum even before the change of the state system.
Video: Abramtsevo Estate
Contents- History of Abramtsevo Estate
- The Girl with Peaches
Abramtsevo Sights - Excursions
- What visitors say
- How to get there
History of Abramtsevo Estate
The estate was first mentioned in documents of the 16th century. At that time the estate belonged to the landowner Volynsky. In 1843 Abramtsevo became the property of the writer S. T. Aksakov, an admirer of rural life and a passionate hunter. Sergei Timofeevich’s guests were many prominent people of the first half of the XIX century. In the estate Aksakov wrote the famous fairy tale about the scarlet flower.
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Girl with Peaches
‘A hut on chicken legs’
This is the name of the strange gazebo, which is considered to be the hallmark of the Abramtsevo estate. The original building is located near the church. The idea of the project of the gazebo belongs to the painter Vasnetsov. “Izbushka” was built in 1883. It got its name due to its similarity to the famous fairy tale building, where the evil sorceress Baba Yaga lived.
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The Church of the Savior of the Nerukotvorny
The idea of creating a religious building in the estate belongs to the artist Vasily Palenov. The painter wanted to recreate in the estate of his friend medieval Orthodox church. The iconostasis of the small church is of special artistic value. All the icons here were painted by artists who were frequent guests of the Mamontovs.
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Medical building
The building was erected in 1938, when the estate, which at that time was a rest house for cinematographers, became a sanatorium. The medical building was built in a pseudo-classical style. Currently, the building serves to house the exposition “Russian Artists of the 20th Century in Abramtsevo.”
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Stone Babes
The attention of visitors to the estate is attracted by two stone female figures. Historians believe that the sculptures were created by Scythians. “Stone women” are found in many cities of the Azov region. The specimens presented in the estate were transported to Abramtsevo from the territory of modern Ukraine. The figures were discovered near Kharkov during the construction of the Pridneprovskaya railroad.
.The Artist’s Workshop
The small building serves to store museum exhibits. The real artist’s workshop is located in the basement of this building. To find the entrance to it, you need to approach the building from the left side. Guests of the workshop are invited to create their own painted plate.
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Kitchen
Next to the studio is a small wooden building. It once housed a kitchen. The building is now used as a museum of peasant life. Not far from the workshop and kitchen you can see another attraction – a bench created by Vrubel. The bench has not been used for its intended purpose for a long time and is surrounded by special protective glass.
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Баня-теремок
The Russian-style building was built in the late 1870s according to the project of architect I. P. Ropet (real surname – Petrov). The building received the name “teremok” due to the low door and small windows under the high roof. The bathhouse was used not only for hygienic procedures, but also as living quarters for guests of the Abramtsevo estate. After the estate became a museum, this building was used to store documentation. Nowadays it houses carpentry made on the territory of the estate in the pre-revolutionary years.
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Polenov’s House
This one-story wooden building is also called Polenov’s dacha. The house was erected in the early 1880s for the painter and his young wife, with whom he had just married in the estate church. At his dacha Polenov lived and worked. Home theatrical performances were also arranged here. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the building was rented out. In 1914-1915 the dacha was used as an infirmary. After the revolution, the building housed living quarters and the dining room of the rest home.
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Park
The huge homestead park is laid out on three terraces. The lowest one, located by the river, is considered the most picturesque. One can always enjoy the nature of the estate, but the park seems especially beautiful in the first half of fall.
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Tours
The museum complex is open daily from April through October. You can see the exhibits from 10.00 to 18.00 on weekdays and from 10.00 to 20.00 on weekends. The park at the Abramtsevo estate opens at 10.00 and closes at 20.00 (21.00 on weekends). Only excursion groups are allowed into the main building.
.What visitors say
Visiting Abramtsevo is one of the best ways to spend a weekend with the whole family for many Muscovites and residents of the Moscow region. Most guests of the estate remain satisfied with their visit. Each of the monuments presented on the territory of the estate is interesting in its own way. Professional guides give fascinating lectures about the history of the estate and answer visitors’ questions.
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Among the few disadvantages of the museum called the high cost of tickets, souvenirs and photography. Thus, a ticket to the main manor house costs 300 rubles, a visit to the Church of the Savior, Bathhouse, Kitchen and Workshop – 400 rubles, a visit to the dacha Polenov – 150 rubles, a walk in the Museum Park – 60 rubles. The guests of the Abramtsevo estate should not forget that the money they invested in visiting the estate does not only go to the salaries of the staff. Considerable funds are invested in the development of the complex and repair work.
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How to get there
Abramtsevo estate is located in Sergiev Posadsky district of Moscow region near the village with the same name. You can get to the estate from the capital’s Yaroslavsky railway station. Trains going through Sergiev Posad, Balakirevo or Alexandrov are suitable for the trip. On average, the journey will take a little more than an hour. You need to get off at the station “Abramtsevo” and walk about two kilometers along the path. Special signs attached to trees will help the traveler not to lose his way.
.To get to the estate you can also use the route cab № 55, coming from Sergiev Posad. On your own transport from the capital you can get there along the Yaroslavskoye highway. You should go to the turn to Radonezh and Leshkovo, then to Khotkovo, and then turn to the Abramtsevo estate, located at the end of the main road.
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