One of the most interesting sights in Yalta is the Chekhov House-Museum, in which the greatest Russian classic lived and worked. The famous Belaya Dacha offers visitors not only to learn about the life of the writer, but also travel back in time to the very beginning of the 20th century, when this house was built and became a favorite place for many cultural figures of that period.
The history of the estate during the writer's life
Chekhov always liked Yalta, he told his friends that she was nicer to him than the Riviera, popular at that time among the Russian intelligentsia. When the doctors prescribed Chekhov sea air, he bought the land on the southern coast of Crimea without hesitation and began building the house. In just 10 months, this snow-white house was built with a mezzanine, a turret and a glazed terrace. The writer considered the main advantage of the summer residence to be the view from the windows of each room.
In September 1899, Chekhov moved with his sister and mother to a new home. The rooms in it were small, but bright and comfortable. On the second floor were the bedrooms of the mother and Anton Pavlovich himself, as well as his study and living room. On the mezzanine is the room of the sister, Maria Pavlovna, and on the basement are the guest rooms. The kitchen, as well as the servants' rooms, were in the outbuilding. Chekhov's wife, the Moscow Art Theater actress Olga Knipper, came here only occasionally, on vacation, and did not live permanently. Around the house, Chekhov himself had a garden. Friends and relatives of the writer loved to come here so much, this house was so hospitable and bright. Here were Gorky, and Bunin, and Kuprin, and many others, both during the life of Chekhov and after his death.
One of the most famous works of Chekhov in the whole world was written by him here, for example, “Lady with a Dog”, “Three Sisters”, “Cherry Orchard”. However, Chekhov did not live long in this house; on the night of July 1–2, 1904, he died at a resort in Germany from an exacerbation of lung disease, which he suffered for many years.
Creating a house museum
In a letter written shortly before his death, Chekhov bequeathed to his sister Belaya Dacha and royalties from his plays. So Maria Pavlovna became not only the owner of this house, but also the creator of the museum and its first keeper. The fees helped her repair the Chekhov house-museum in Yalta and keep everything in the writer’s rooms exactly as it was during his lifetime. She recalled that she loved her brother so much that she could not help but preserve everything as he loved. Until 1917, the writer’s sister came to Yalta only in the summer to maintain order in her brother’s rooms, but then she and her mother moved to the White Cottage, and until her death in 1957 did not leave the house. Even in the difficult years of World War II, she did not leave A.P. Chekhov's house-museum in Yalta, which allowed her to save all the exhibits and lifetime things of the writer.
In 1921, the writer’s house became an important cultural object and officially received the status of a museum, and Maria Pavlovna became its director and curator.
Museum complex
Today in Yalta, Chekhov's house-museum is not only the structure of the Belaya Dacha itself, but a whole complex of interesting historical objects.
Firstly, of course, this is a garden laid down by Chekhov himself. It preserved many plants planted with his hands. In addition, there is a real bamboo grove on the territory. There is also the so-called Gorky bench in the garden, it was on it that Gorky liked to sit, who often visited Chekhov.
Out of the buildings, in addition to the house itself, the outbuilding was preserved, for the restoration of which funds were raised literally around the world. Among the sponsors were Hollywood actor Rafe Fiennes, and world-famous playwrights Tom Stoppard and Michael Frain.
Also in the territory of the museum in 1966 a separate building of the literary exposition was built. There is also an administration and a hall for events, selling souvenirs and books.
The interior of the house
Thanks to the efforts of Maria Pavlovna, who for many years lived in Yalta, Chekhov’s house-museum has preserved many unique things that belonged to the writer and characterize the life of that era. In three rooms, namely in the bedroom, the writer's office and in the living room, the exact same conditions were preserved exactly as during the life of Anton Pavlovich.
The interior of the cabinet is quite dark due to the wallpaper - golden lilies on a dark cherry background. But glare from the stained-glass windows of the Venetian window enliven the entire room. The beauty of the stained glass window was also noted by the writer's contemporaries, for example, Kuprin, and many tourists who visit Chekhov’s house-museum in Yalta today notice it. A photo of a window with a stained-glass window is presented below.
In accordance with the fashion of that time, the room is not rectangular and is divided into several zones - a working room with a desk and a Vienna chair, a lounge area by the fireplace, where the writer read correspondence and newspapers.
The writer’s bedroom, on the contrary, is very small and bright, with an ascetic atmosphere: a bed, a simple wardrobe, a table and a wardrobe.
The living room is cozy and small, with access to a glazed terrace, where they drank tea in the summer, and on the Turkish trestle standing here they accommodated guests who did not have enough space in the basement for the night. There is a small dining area in the living room with a sliding table and preserved dishes in the buffet. There are also watches bought by Chekhov in Moscow. The arrows stand at 2:30 a.m., this is the time of the writer's death.
Textiles made by the hands of mother and sister, and paintings written by the father of the writer, as well as large palm branches presented to Chekhov by admirers add to the comfort of the room.
Excursions and lectures at the museum in Yalta
The Chekhov House-Museum is the organizer and organizer of a large number of various events dedicated not only to Chekhov, but also to all Russian culture, for example, the works of Bulgakov, Chaliapin, etc.
So, Chekhov readings are held annually in Yalta, in the framework of which the premieres of performances and films, scientific conferences, exhibitions, and competitions are held. Mind games and contests are regularly held for children, senior pupils and students, music evenings, presentations, many of the events are free. And, of course, leading literary scholars, critics and philologists regularly lecture here on the writer's work, on his life and legacy. You can find out about current and planned exhibitions and events on the museum website.
Visiting Conditions
The Chekhov House-Museum in Yalta is open year-round and receives visitors from 10 am to 6 pm every day except Mondays.
An entrance ticket to the territory costs 200 rubles, the price includes the opportunity to visit the entire complex, as well as shoot video and photos on its territory. You can buy a ticket to the garden for 50 rubles and look at the estate outside. You can also book a private tour. Its cost is 1,500 rubles.
Chekhov House-Museum in Yalta: address, how to get there
Museum address : Crimea, Yalta, st. Kirova 112. The museum is located away from the city center, in a quiet and picturesque place.
Arriving in Crimea, be sure to visit the Chekhov House-Museum in Yalta. You can get directly to it by public transport, for example, by trolleybus No. 1, and also there are many buses to the stop “Chekhov's House-Museum” or “Pionerskaya”.