Peter the Great’s legacy whispers through these grounds. This isn’t just any estate. This is the Usadba of the Golitsyn family Vlakhernskoye-Kuzminki.
Picture this sprawling estate once belonging to powerful Russian noble families. The Stroganovs first held it. Then it passed to the Golitsyns. Their influence shaped the buildings. The gardens. The very spirit of the place.
The manor house itself a grand affair. It underwent multiple rebuilds. The final version boasted side wings. They connected to the main house via graceful semi-circular galleries. Imagine the elegant gatherings held within those walls. The whispers of secrets shared among the aristocracy.
The Church of the Blachernae Icon of Theotokos stands at the heart of Vlakhernskoye-Kuzminki. A copy of the Theotokos Vlakhernskaya icon once resided within. Sadly it was closed in 1929. Its treasures removed. Its bell tower ruined. The building itself suffered terrible damage. However thanks to Yelena Vorontsova’s efforts. The church and bell tower were painstakingly restored in 1995.
Nearby the Riding Court stands. It was constructed in 1805. Rebuilt in 1823 by architect Domenico Gilardi. Imagine the horses thundering through the court. The echoes of hooves and laughter ringing through the air. Sadly the Music Pavilion within burnt in 1978. The remaining structures fell into disuse. However restoration efforts in the early 2000s brought back its former glory. Even with a recent wooden ceiling collapse in 2019 the Riding Court continues to stand. A testament to its resilience.
J Rauch captured Kuzminki in his paintings during the 1820s and 1840s. His works portray the cast-iron gates. The linden avenue. The manor house. The Riding Court. The Church itself and many other buildings. These offer a glimpse into Vlakhernskoye-Kuzminki’s past. A past of opulence. Of tragedy. And of enduring beauty.
After the revolution in 1917 the mansion became a nationalized property. The All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Veterinary Medicine took over. They occupied the main building until 2001. The estate suffered greatly. Buildings were repurposed. Some even fell to decay.
Today Vlakhernskoye-Kuzminki stands. A reminder of its storied past. It is incorporated into Kuzminki-Lyublino historical park. It is the largest manor house in Moscow. Its numerous buildings. Many of them newly built. Still bear witness to its remarkable history. The spirit of the Stroganovs and the Golitsyns. Still lingers within these walls.