Yasnaya Polyana is the family estate of Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy. It was here that the writer was born and lived most of his life, here the most significant works were created. Today, a memorial complex has been created in the estate, which all connoisseurs of the great Russian literature strive to visit.
Manor history
The Tolstoy family settled in the estate in 1824, right after the wedding. At first, the territory was relatively small, but Nikolai Ilyich seriously took up the improvement of the estate, acquired the adjacent land and began to rebuild the main building. At the same time, the count was able to buy out another family estate and several more estates. His wife, Maria Nikolaevna, was completely focused on family and children; over the years of marriage, the Tolstoy had 4 sons and a daughter. Mother died when the future writer Lev Nikolaevich was only 2 years old. After 8 years, my father was gone. Despite the early losses, childhood was happy, life was in full swing in the house, guests came, a measured patriarchal life was preserved.
After the division of the parents' property between the grown children, Yasnaya Polyana went to the youngest son, Lev Nikolaevich. Initially, the young master took up the farm with zeal, but could not fully immerse himself in village life, and the peasants did not accept the improvement. Disappointed, Tolstoy leaves for military service and is absent for a long time, entrusting the estate to the manager. During this time, the architectural ensemble has undergone some changes, the main house was sold for scrap and taken out. Returning to the estate, Lev Nikolaevich settled in the outbuilding, gradually it was he who became the Tolstoy family nest. Family furniture, portraits and other artifacts were transported here. In 1862 Tolstoy's young wife Sofya Andreevna came here.
The young couple took up the farm. Flower beds were laid out around the house, and the building itself became more comfortable and spacious. The territory of the famous Yasnaya Polyana gardens increased, they not only decorated the estate, but also brought additional income. A school for peasant children was built nearby, greenhouses and extensive stables for racehorses were set up.
In 1892, Lev Nikolaevich renounced the rights to the estate, transferring it to his wife and younger (soon deceased son). In 1910, the count left the family nest forever, bequeathed to bury himself on the edge of a ravine in the forest, without any honors. The will of the great writer was fulfilled.
What is included in the complex: sights and architectural ensemble
The estate consists of several buildings, picturesquely located in a vast park. The main building is the Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy house-museum (former wing, expanded and improved). Inside, the atmosphere is recreated, corresponding to the time when the writer's family lived here. Light spacious rooms, plain walls, simple furniture, a minimum of luxurious decorations - such an entourage was atypical for landowners' houses. The decoration and pride of the museum is the writer's rich personal library.
The main administrative building is the Volkonsky house. Nearby is the Kuzminskys' wing - a former school. Today, traveling exhibitions and thematic expositions are organized here. The keepers of the museum complex try to maintain the atmosphere created during the writer's life. On the territory of the park there are:
- operating greenhouses and stables;
- carriage shed;
- riga, livestock, garden house, carpentry and coachman's.
In the garden there is Leo Tolstoy's favorite bench, the landscape is complemented by birch bridges and a bathing house. All objects are marked on signs placed in the park.
Contemporary museum: exhibitions and events
In the late 1980s, the estate received the status of a memorial museum reserve. This increased the capabilities of the keepers and allowed them to spend more money on the restoration and maintenance of artifacts. In the house of the Lev Tolstoy family, the furnishings of 1910 have been carefully recreated, the furniture and small furnishings are genuine, the exposition includes the personal belongings of the writer's relatives. The correctly selected collection is appreciated by the world community and included in the UNESCO register.
Today the complex offers several interesting programs for guests. The main one is a tour of the permanent exhibition, either alone or with a guide. The magnificent landscapes attract photography lovers against the backdrop of Russian nature; newlyweds constantly come here. A wedding photo session in Yasnaya Polyana is an indispensable item in the celebrations of newlyweds in Tula and the region.
On the territory of the complex, festivals, holidays, and themed events are constantly organized. Among the most famous projects:
- "Garden of Geniuses". It unites 7 countries representing the classics of world literature. Includes art readings, concerts, performances.
- Nettle Festival. Folk festivities and all kinds of events dedicated to the Russian outback, folklore, history. They are held at the branch of the estate museum - the village of Krapivna.
- "Motley Glade". International Festival of Folk Art. Lasts 5 days, includes master classes, a craft fair, a concert and a demonstration of Russian folk costumes.
- International Writing Meetings. They are held annually and bring together authors from different countries. The program includes exchange of experience and opinions, discussion of the works of L. N. Tolstoy, informal communication.
In the house of culture of the village of Yasnaya Polyana, thematic literary lectures, seminars, open discussions and film screenings are constantly held. All events are announced on the museum's website, projects are designed for both professionals and ordinary visitors to the complex.
The museum complex makes extensive use of its own advantages: a huge territory and a well-groomed park. Guests can hike the trails and practice horse riding. In the summer, most of the programs take place outdoors. Tourists are offered meaningful excursions, themed quests, special events for children, Russian language courses for foreigners and much more.
Information for visitors
You can get to Yasnaya Polyana by car, bus, minibus or train. Most of the routes pass through Tula, but entry through the village of Pervomaisky is possible. There are signs on the highway. The way from Moscow to the museum complex will take 3-4 hours, depending on the chosen method of transportation.
Entrance to the reserve is by tickets, you can buy them at the local ticket office or tourist office. The opening hours of the memorial buildings and the park are available on the museum's website. There you can also choose a suitable program; prefabricated excursions are provided, accompanied by independently organized groups. An individual tourist service is offered, including in foreign languages: English, French, German. The entrance ticket price is from 200 to 300 rubles, you can walk in the park for only 50 rubles. Amateur photography and video filming in the garden is free, but taking photos indoors is prohibited. Tourists can buy thematic souvenirs and books; there is a kiosk on the territory of the complex.
The Yasnaya Polyana hotel complex with a conference hall and a cafe is located in the green area, not far from the museum. There is also a small VIP-building with a restaurant "Noble Estate" and its own bakery. The cafe and restaurant serves dishes according to the recipes of Sofya Andreevna Tolstoy, including the famous Ankovsky pie. Weddings, banquets and other special events are often organized here.
