The Moscow region is richly preserved to this day by ancient noble estates, which are of interest to people who are fond of domestic history. Having visited and examined wonderful architectural ensembles, tourists will be inspired by the spirit of antiquity and will receive aesthetic pleasure from the contemplation of picturesque places.
One of the attractions of the Moscow region is the Goncharovs' estate (Yaropolets), located in the Volokolamsk district on the Lame River in the village of Yaropolie. Everyone who has ever visited these places speaks of its uniqueness, atmosphere and beauty. The reviews of tourists who visited the estate indicate that the history of this place is still alive.
Historical reference
What is unusual in the estate of the Goncharovs? Yaropolets is an unusual village. This is confirmed by numerous reviews of those who happened to be there. The estate was founded by the Ukrainian hetman Doroshenko on land received in 1684 from the Russian Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich for his service. The name of the estate comes from the combination of the words “field field” and is due to the fact that hunting dogs were bred at this place. The estate is a whole complex of ancient buildings for various purposes that make up an integrated architectural ensemble.
The owners of the estate
Over the course of several centuries, the owners of the estate have repeatedly changed. It was transmitted as a dowry and belonged to the Zagryazhsky and Goncharov family. It was here that the mother-in-law of the poet A.S. Pushkin Natalia Ivanovna Goncharova was born. Every future wife and muse of the great poet Natalia Goncharova came here every summer . Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, having married Natalya Nikolaevna Goncharova, also visited the estate several times.
Before the revolution of 1917, the estate was owned by the Goncharov family. Thanks to the efforts of the last owner of the estate, Elena Borisovna Goncharova, a four-grade zemstvo school was opened in the village of Yaropolie. Already in Soviet times, Elena Borisovna achieved the registration of the estate as a cultural monument. In 1918, the department for museums and the protection of monuments of the People's Commissariat of Education issued a "security certificate", according to which the estate was not subject to requisition.
Manor during the war
During the Great Patriotic War, the village of Yaropolie was occupied by German troops. During the occupation, the estate was significantly damaged. The roof, floors were destroyed. A part of the facade decor was also lost. The largest damage was caused to the estate after the explosion of the German ammunition depot located in the immediate vicinity of the buildings. After the war, the estate of the parents of Natalia Goncharova in Yaropolets was in a dilapidated state for fifteen years. Local residents made their contribution to its destruction, taking apart building materials suitable for use. The state of the estate in the late forties of the XX century was recorded in the movie “On the Count's Ruins”. In 1953, the mausoleum of the founder of the estate Hetman Doroshenko was demolished. In general, the state of the estate after the war remained very deplorable.
New life
A new life for the estate began in 1960 after its transfer to the organization of the rest house of the Moscow Aviation Institute. At this time, it was restored according to the project created by the Mosoblrestoration restoration trust. The restoration was carried out taking into account further use as a holiday home. At the same time, the park and adjacent facilities were not restored. In 1970, the Goncharovs' estate (Yaropolets) was completely restored and acquired its pre-war appearance. At the same time, many elements of the decor disappeared from the interior, the premises acquired a different internal layout. During the restoration, modern materials were used, which made the interior faceless. The internal premises became typical, the historical appearance was not respected. Despite the fact that the restoration was not aimed at restoring the historical appearance of the estate, it generally played a positive role, and thanks to the work carried out, the estate was preserved in the village of Yarolets. The Goncharovs' estate is a holiday home. Now here you can not only touch history, but also have a good rest.
During the restoration, the Pushkin Room was put in order. Today the room is the only one in which the historical interior of the 19th century is preserved. Restoration work was carried out on the pictures of 1937. The columns were rebuilt thanks to a sample accidentally found in the attic.
In the reviews of tourists, individual buildings on the estate are often mentioned. The estate of the Goncharovs (Yaropoltse) looks very attractive. The photo will not fully reflect all the grandeur of the structure.
Church of St. John the Baptist
What is now in the estate of the Goncharovs in Yaropolets? The earliest of the manor buildings is a brick church, built in 1755 by order of the then owner of the estate A. A. Zagryazhsky. The interior of the church has side entrances with stepped arches. The walls are covered with frescoes describing biblical subjects. Today, services are held in the church.
One of the main reasons to go to the village of Yaropolets is the Goncharovs' estate. What other buildings are on the estate?
Lord's house
During the restoration carried out after the war, the interior of the manor house was most reliably transferred. Due to the connection with the biography of the great poet, the estate of the Goncharovs in the Soviet period was preserved. The manor house and the room in which the poet lived during a visit to the estate was restored in accordance with the historical era. The house is connected to two outbuildings by galleries. The main decoration of the manor house is a portico of six columns. Behind it is a semicircular loggia. At the entrance to the park there is also a portico. White decor contrasted well with red brick walls. The walls inside the master’s house were originally decorated with murals depicting park views framed by borders. Interior design elements were borrowed from the interiors of the Arkhangelskoye estate. In the second half of the 18th century, an outbuilding consisting of two floors was built opposite the temple. During its construction, special attention was paid to the observance of stylistic unity with the church. Two wings of the house are connected by a half-tube and converge at an angle. Half-balloons and entrances are decorated with paired pilasters. The manager lived on the second floor of the outbuilding. Today, all this can be seen in the village of Yarolets. The Goncharovs' estate - address: Moscow region, Volokolamsk district, Yarolets village, ul. Pushkinskaya, 19.
Stable housing
The yard is surrounded by a metal fence with pillars of white stone. The design option of the manor complex with arched buildings is typical of the architecture of the XVIII century. In the courtyard of the estate there are a horse carriage and a stable. In the center of the Kurdonera stands a bust of A.S. Pushkin. Thus, the Goncharovs' estate (Yaropolets) is a wonderful example of the manor architecture of the Classicism era. Buildings and structures make up a harmonious, holistic architectural ensemble. The most appropriate option for the further use of this unique monument of Russian architecture would be the continuation of restoration work and the transformation of the estate into a museum of landlord life of the late XVIII - early XIX centuries. Restoration work carried out at a modern level would help restore their historical appearance to buildings and recreate the atmosphere of everyday life of bygone eras.
Weaving workshops
On the estate there were industrial buildings. To date, weaving workshops erected at the end of the 18th century have been preserved, representing one-story buildings facing the courdoner. Workshops were decorated only from the ends. The presence on the estate of various buildings for industrial purposes is typical of a landowner estate. Production was aimed at satisfying the needs of the estate owners, and also part of the production was for sale and became a source of income. With the exception of weaving workshops, production facilities have not been preserved. In those days, the village of Yarolets flourished. The Goncharovs estate also contributed to this.
A park
Initially, judging by the surviving plan, the park was small and located opposite the house. Alleys fanned from the center of the park. There was a greenhouse in the park, in which numerous varieties of fruit trees exotic for the Moscow Region were grown. The best part of the park was the mountain above the Lama River. There were various figures on it, and all of it was covered with turf. At the end of the 18th century, the figures adorning the park were removed. A fence was installed around the perimeter, which was a fortress wall made in the Gothic style. The fence was decorated with red bricks and portals and towers decorated with white details.
Unusual buildings
By now, the part of the wall that separates the estate from the village of Yaropolets has been preserved. The Goncharovs' estate is located not far from the river, near which the ruins of a two-story building, erroneously called a hunting lodge, have been preserved. There is an assumption that in fact this building is a Masonic temple. This statement is based on the fact that one of the owners of the estate - B. A. Zagryazhsky - was a freemason. However, the absence of Masonic symbols on the building suggests otherwise. Thus, the purpose of this building has not been reliably established. Designing the park ensemble of the estate, the architect managed to harmoniously combine the two styles. Buildings created in the style of classicism are organically complemented by Gothic buildings.
Unfortunately, not a single sculpture has survived to this day, which served as a decoration of the park ensemble. Also, the two-story theater located near the estate was not preserved.
How to get to the estate?
Judging by the reviews, the picturesque area, surrounded by the estate, is especially attractive for tourists. Currently, numerous trees (poplar, birch, linden and larch) grow in the former park, apparently planted during the construction of the estate. The only surviving linden alley called Pushkinskaya leads to a round island surrounded by a canal connected to the Lama River. Such a wonderful place is in the village of Yarolets Goncharovs' estate. How to get to such amazing places? By car, drive along Novorizhskoe highway. After 100 km there will be the city of Volokolamsk. Having passed it, you should move to the village of Yaropolets, which is 10 km from the city.
Thus, the Goncharovs' estate, being one of the brightest sights of the Moscow region, can be recommended for visiting by tourists who want to touch a piece of the historical past of our country.