Step into the captivating world of Kuzminki. It’s a story about the history of a place, about an estate that was once home to some of Russia’s most powerful families. From the grandeur of the original estate to its eventual transformation into a park, Kuzminki has a rich and fascinating history.
The main attraction is the Vlakhernskoye-Kuzminki, a former estate of the Stroganov and Golitsyn families. The place was named after the Icon of Theotokos Vlakhernskaya. You can still see a replica of this icon in the estate’s church. The territory of modern Kuzminki belonged to the Simon monastery, but in 1702, Peter the Great gave it to Grigory Dmitriyevich Stroganov.
Imagine being able to stroll through the estate’s grand gardens, a haven of tranquility where the remnants of the past stand as silent witnesses to a vibrant history. The mansion was rebuilt several times, boasting side wings connected to the main house with two semi-circular galleries. The 1830s saw the entrance to the manor court being adorned with iron candelabra and griffins, crafted by J. Colombo.
Kuzminki has seen its fair share of changes. While the church and the bell tower were restored in 1995 under Yelena Vorontsova’s guidance, the mansion fell into disrepair after the Russian revolution. Many of the original buildings were repurposed, becoming laboratories, residential, and administrative buildings, a far cry from their former glory. Despite these transformations, the buildings still stand tall, evoking a sense of past grandeur and the whispers of past lives.
Don’t miss out on the beautiful Riding Court, built in 1805 and rebuilt in 1823 by architect Domenico Gilardi. It stands on the left bank of the Upper Pond, near the dam, a testament to the once-active equestrian lifestyle that enriched this place. Today, Kuzminki is a place where you can discover the rich legacy of aristocratic Russia, a place where history and nature merge. It’s a place where you can step back in time, soak in the serenity, and let your imagination run wild with stories of the people who once called this estate home.