Linen Factory - such a strange name is given to an urban-type settlement located 32 km from Kaluga. The ancient settlement of workers would hardly be of interest to anyone today, if not for the unique attraction that is part of it. It is here that the Goncharovs' estate is located, whose exact address is: Kaluga Region, Cloth Factory, Trudovaya Street, 1a.
A brief history of the village
Once upon a time in the place of a modern settlement there was an old churchyard with the mysterious name Vzgomonie. In 1718, Peter the Great issued a decree to build a factory for the production of sailing canvas in this area. This responsible work was entrusted to the merchant from Kaluga - T.F. Karamyshev. But he took into business two companions - his nephew G.I.Schepochkin and A.A. Goncharov (ancestor N.N. Goncharova - the wife of A.S. Pushkin).
The fabric produced not only met the needs of the Russian fleet, but was also exported to England. Very soon, here, by order of the emperor, a paper mill was opened. After the death of Karamyshev, other partners decided to divide the matter. And Goncharov became the sole owner of the linen production. Soon, even the locals forgot the name Vzgomonie. The village was named after the main industrial facility. What is noteworthy, today Kaluga Region is famous for this production. Linen Factory - a village in which the company, founded in 1718, still operates.
Manor building
Afanasy Abramovich Goncharov quickly earned a fortune in the production of paintings. Already in 1760, he begins the construction of a residential building in the immediate vicinity of his factory, known throughout the country. A similar proximity of the industrial and the master's house is not typical for this period. However, A. A. Goncharov was very proud of his production and did not experience inconvenience from the proximity of the plant.
In his will, the industrialist indicates that all immovable property of the family cannot be sold or mortgaged. After the death of the grandfather and father, the owner of the estate becomes A.N. Goncharov (Natalya Goncharova’s own grandfather). Like many wealthy heirs of that time, he quickly spent all the inheritance received. Family affairs went so badly that when Natalya Nikolaevna married Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, the poet’s dowry was issued by the plant’s products.
Kaluga Region, Linen Factory: famous guests of the Goncharovs estate
During its heyday, the Goncharovs estate was distinguished by wealth and sophistication. The main apartment building was large enough. The interiors were luxurious and fashionable by the standards of their time. Around the estate was a huge park, historically divided into three zones. In 1775, Catherine II personally visited the local factories and estate. The empress liked the organization of production and the estate itself.
Linen Factory (Kaluga Region) is also known as the place of headquarters of M.I. Kutuzov. In 1812, he stayed here after the Battle of Maloyaroslavets. Twice visited the estate of the Goncharovs and A.S. Pushkin. He first visited the estate as a fiance of Natalya Nikolaevna and lived here for several days (1830). And then, as a legitimate husband, the great poet again came to his wife’s family estate. He lived here for two whole weeks (1834). The estate (Linen Factory, Kaluga Region) was very popular with Pushkin. Alexander Sergeevich wrote that he would gladly stay here if he were the owner of local factories.
Black pages of the history of the Goncharovs estate
The descendants of Athanasius Abramovich Goncharov were the owners of factories and the estate complex until 1917. In 1918, all industrial facilities and buildings located on the estate were nationalized. What is noteworthy, the plant operates today. Among the assortment of its products, you can find stationery familiar to every student. The fate of the manor house was completely different. In 1920, the main building of the estate was transferred to the school of the village. But the educational institution did not last long within its walls. The Great Patriotic War began, the school was closed, and the estate was badly damaged by enemy invaders.
Museum complex "Goncharovs Estate"
Today the village of Polotnyany Zavod of the Kaluga Region is known as a fairly large tourist center. The manor complex has been turned into a museum. It offers guided tours and a variety of cultural events. Work on the restoration of the main house began in the 1970s. For tourists, the museum complex was opened in 1999, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin. Of greatest interest is the main residential building. It is now open for visitors to 18 rooms in which the interior decoration and interior decoration have been reconstructed.
The museum exposition tells about the life of the Goncharov family and reflects the life of the noble family of that time. A significant part of the collection is dedicated personally to A.S. Pushkin. In this museum you can see not only his portraits, but also manuscripts and the reconstructed atmosphere of the study. The museum complex, located at: Kaluga region, Cloth factory, st. Labor, various sights are included. These are Spassky entrance gates, equestrian tower, green area fencing, groom’s house, buildings and ruins of a linen factory. In the park you can see the arbor, which is a reconstruction of the one in which A.S. Pushkin liked to relax, and a monument to the great poet.
Tourist info
Entrance to the museum complex is free. Tickets are purchased only for visiting the main manor house. The exposition is open from Wednesday to Sunday inclusive. You can get on a tour from 11.00 to 18.00. The exact address of the museum: Kaluga region, Dzerzhinsky district, Cloth factory, st. Labor, 1a.
The main thing is to enter the village. Further, you can easily find the manor complex. You can get here from Kaluga by private car or by bus. Do not rush to leave after visiting the most famous landmark. There are other interesting objects in the Linen Factory: the Transfiguration Church, Shchepochkin's estate. Many tourists are impressed by the historical buildings of the city center, here you can see many old houses.