Gus-Khrustalny does not have a thousand-year history. For a long time this city was considered not a city, but a settlement of workers of a glass manufacture. The homeland of Russian crystal is precisely Gus-Khrustalny. In the collection of the local museum, you will see unique exhibits created by glass blowers back in the 18th century.
Gus-Khrustalny is located on a river called Gus and is located in the Vladimir region. This city was founded in the 18th century. It was called then not a city, but a settlement, a village. The workers of the glass factory, which functioned here, lived in the village. Officially, the year of foundation of the city of Gus-Khrustalny is considered to be 1756. In fact, it became a city much later, in the thirties of the last century. Even the name by which Gus-Khrustalny is known today was not immediately received. This also happened in the last century. In his twenties. Until that time, the settlement was called Gus-Maltsevsky.
Now a small town named Gus-Khrustalny is one of the cities that form the Golden Ring of Russia. Every year, the Crystal Museum located here is visited by many tourists.
The merchant Akim Maltsov is rightfully considered the founder of Gus-Khrustalny. The family of Akim Vasilyevich Maltsov began the construction of a glass manufacture here. This manufactory later became known as the Gusevsky Crystal Factory. It should be noted that such factories were built in these places for a reason, but by order of the government. In order not to cut down forests in the Moscow region, glass factories were slightly "moved".
The Maltsov family has firmly established itself in the glass industry in Russia. It all started back in the 17th century. One of the old-timers of the family, the father of Akim Maltsov, Vasily, was the head of a large glass factory in the Moscow region. He even invited specialists from Bohemia to visit him. Akim Vasilyevich had someone to look up to.
Under Akim Maltsov, more than one new glass factory appeared. Then his son and grandson got down to business. New factories grew, the skills of workers improved. Now the Maltsovs would be called enterprising businessmen. They tirelessly improved the business they were engaged in, tirelessly adopted the experience of specialists from other countries.
A lot of talented Russian craftsmen, who lived right there, with whole families, were involved in the work at the glass manufactory of the future Gus-Khrustalny. New types of glass were invented. Amazing, colorful, unseen. For example, in Asia, glass of golden and silver color, which was produced by the Maltsovs, was in great demand.
Of course, the commercial success was followed by numerous victories in Russian and international competitions. To this day, glass products made by the masters of Gus-Khrustalny are appreciated everywhere. Gusevsky Crystal Factory has won the reputation of one of the leading enterprises in Europe in its industry.
It is a pity that now crystal does not have the popularity that it had in the old days. Gusevsky Crystal Factory was in decline for some time. The workers were not paid wages, and they had to earn their livelihood in various roundabout ways. Now production is slowly resuming.
The tourism business in the city is also gaining momentum. Thousands of tourists visit this place every year. The famous Maltsov Crystal Museum is located here. Without this museum, the story of the people who created the crystal, hand-made fairy tale would be incomplete. The museum, located on the territory of the St. George's Cathedral, has a huge number of unique exhibits. You will be surprised that such splendor can be created with human hands!
They say that the best products of the crystal factory in Gus-Khrustalny began to be collected back in the 18th century. Then they were simply collected in a specially designated room. Later, it was decided to organize a museum. Over time, this museum has turned into an absolutely wonderful and magnificent sight. It demonstrates to all curious exhibits of unprecedented beauty and grace. The exposition of the museum is crowned with an unusual sculpture called "Hymn to Glass".
This small stele made of glass leaves no one indifferent. Its author, the artist V. Muratov, managed to weave a whole explosion of amazing, fragile flowers into the composition. The eternal tree of life that sings its crystal song.
So, dear reader, today you have met a Russian city with a rare capacity for work and an undeniable sense of beauty. He always moved forward so confidently that it was just right to take an example from him. This is a real artist, a city that personifies creativity and masterly owns its amazing profession.
The history of Gus-Khrustalny is completely connected with his vocation. Now you know the names of the creators of our, Russian crystal, true, born industrialists, businessmen. These people can serve as role models to this day. You learned about the amazing Museum of Crystal, which keeps in its collection exhibits that were released back in the 18th century. Of course, you cannot fully imagine the beauty of this or that piece of art, guided by just one description! You must see him personally.