Manor "Glinka", owned by Yakov Willimovich Bruce. Sights of Moscow region

One of the most visited places in the suburbs is the estate of "Glinka", it is one of the oldest monuments of architecture of the XVIII century. In addition, this place is older than other estates of the Moscow region. These places belonged to noblemen named Bruce, who were descended from Yakov Vilimovich, an associate of Peter the Great, a military and statesman, a scholar and a diplomat. All the architectural splendor that strikes a sophisticated traveler, even nowadays, was created approximately in the thirties of the XVIII century, when the ancestor of the dynasty was forced to resign. He was an outstanding man, he loved art, and also was fond of science. Peasants called him a sorcerer.

Jacob Bruce

This person knew almost every contemporary. He came from a Scottish ancestral family, but fate threw him to distant Russia, where, however, he made a very good career. He began his service at the court of Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov, being very young. He continued to serve under the Dual Power, and then swore allegiance to the young and active Peter. By the way, it was he who rushed to the tsar for help during the Streltsy rebellion, and he arranged for himself a future emperor. Peter considered Bruce one of the closest associates, they together took part in many battles of the Russian army.

Jacob Bruce was famous at court for his craving for scientific knowledge, he could rightly be called a polymath, as he was interested in almost all scientific disciplines, in many of them he achieved considerable success. For example, he was well versed in tactics and strategy, had a cannonball, and during his life received the honorary title of General-Field-Mester (ie, the head of artillery). It was he who had the honor of heading Berg-Manufaktur College, and also he founded the famous Navigatsky School. And, of course, very much he is known for creating his own "Bryusov Calendar", which was guided by very many, adjusting his way of life. And this is only a small fraction of what was done by Count Bruce for Imperial Russia.

Yakov Bruce Manor

It's a pity, but with the followers of Peter, the Count did not get a seat at the court, although no one insisted on his resignation. Nevertheless, Jacob Bruce is removed from politics, submits a petition for resignation and moves to a place near his Moscow near Moscow, which he acquired while still young. This estate had a pleasant name "Glinka". It was not a pity for Bruce to leave the dank Petersburg, because the estate was in the very center of natural beauties, and also very near the ancient Russian capital.

Only that's strange: according to the stories of the local population, as well as directly residents living in the nearby village of Glinka, unusual things began to occur in these places. The very house of the master surprised the peasants with his outlandish appearance, he was built in the very fashionable style - Italian baroque. Stucco molding, golden monograms, symmetry and grace seemed very strange against the backdrop of the Russian birch forest and rickety peasant houses.

Legends and secrets

And besides, in the opinion of the peasants, the Count himself was a little strange. For example, many of them marveled at his habit of getting out at night on the roof of his own house, choosing the highest place and looking at something in the sky with a bulky pipe for a long time. Of course, it is now obvious that the Count was only interested in astronomy, but for the peasants this was incomprehensible.

So, if suddenly there was a drought or a thunderstorm, the people believed that this witch-earl did something wrong. What legends did not arise, connected with the name of Jacob Bruce, what tales the locals did not add up. By the way, these same stories were heard later at court as well, as you know, the land is filled with rumors. Eyewitnesses shared impressions that Bruce saddled an iron dragon and floated on it under the clouds, then the paradise music started playing on the cotton of his palms in the park, and she also died down at his command.

And even when Bruce died, the fame of him buzzed for a long time. According to some sources, the undisturbed earl-wizard even after his death wandered about his estate for a long time and frightened new owners or the local population. Strange thing, but those owners who went to the estate of Bruce "Glinka", later, whether imbued with these legends, or if they really saw something strange, ordered to destroy all the sculptural groups on the territory of the estate. But the homestead park was once famous for its refined antique statues. At the same time, the sculptures were not sold or destroyed, they were disposed of very subtly. Some immured in the walls, some plunged to the bottom of the pond. Is not it strange? According to some legends, which are in abundance in these places, it really frightened the new owners that the statues at night had a life to revive.

And again, that's what people say, but since then Bruce began to take vengeance on the new owners of his land. He appeared to them at night in the form of an ethereal spirit, in the corridors there were squeaks and groans, all in the traditions of English fairy tales about ghosts. I had to go to the new owner and the landlady to live in the furthest back room of the house.

To date, lovers of mysticism are still flocking to the building of the manor, some vacationers on the territory of the sanatorium, which is now located, say that the count can be seen now. But how true these stories are, it's difficult to judge. Yakov Bruce's estate in Glinka and now stores many secrets and secrets.

"The Cabinet of Curious Things"

Jacob Bruce, the "warlock", was also a polyglot, not without reason, he was listed at the court and performed there diplomatic functions. He perfectly knew six foreign languages. And in Russian (Russian for him was not his native language), he spoke without any accent.

At the end of the XVII century, Peter the Great, as is known, organized the Grand Embassy for European countries. More than two hundred people took part in this trip, mostly young people who had to comprehend science and crafts, especially maritime affairs. In addition, the king ordered to purchase equipment and engage in hiring various masters and craftsmen. Count Bruce young Peter personally calls, staying in Holland. He needed a count for the upcoming trip to England, because Bruce knew languages perfectly and was very knowledgeable about the rules of etiquette in the English court. But Bruce arrives very late, besides it looks extremely painful, his hand was all burned, and the phalanx of the fingers fused after numerous fractures. The reason for this was a quarrel at the court with the head of the secret order. It was he who ordered to torture the talented scientist Bruce with hot iron. Peter was so angry that according to the descriptions of his contemporaries, it was impossible to calm his anger. He wrote Romodanovsky, in a letter he openly angry with the head of the secret order. This shows how much he valued the labor and personality of Yakov Vilimovich.

His brainchild was the "cabinet of curious things", equal to which was not in the whole country. It was a real museum of all kinds of rarities at home. After the Count died, his "cabinet" was decided to be transferred to the most famous Russian museum of that time - the Kunstkamera.

Architectural features of the estate

This estate can rightly be called the oldest in the whole suburbs. Manors of the Moscow region - this is generally an interesting sight, but this place is truly special. The building of Bruce's house has been preserved in excellent condition, because it will be very interesting for the tourist to visit those places. Outside, the estate of "Glinka" is very typical for its time, it is an exquisite and luxurious baroque (although there were unusual features for such stylistics). But the interior design will make even the experienced traveler wonder. The fact is that Jacob Bruce (the estate of Glinka and its contents did not take him too much) always considered himself not so much a landlord, but a man of science. Almost every room of a huge house was turned into a laboratory or an office for scientific work. It was there that he was engaged in research in the fields of physics, chemistry, mathematics, natural science, astronomy, and so on. All his money, and the salary of the Count was decent, he preferred to spend on equipment, books, instruments for research and the like. This, perhaps, explains why the master at that time each thought abnormal, and some even attributed to him magical abilities. For his eyes he received a lot of nicknames, but most of all he took root Unguarded prince.

Of course, the sorcerer! And who else can in one summer day, when on all signs there should be a debilitating heat, to take and freeze all ponds? And then still put on strange devices on your feet and ride on frozen water? And the view of the main building, perhaps, only reinforced the opinion of the peasants on this score. Bruce was originally from Scotland, perhaps because the first floor of his house is very similar to the Scottish medieval castle, it is all trimmed with hewn stones of a gray hue. This gave the building a slightly ominous appearance, and some hewn cobblestones in the dark seemed terrible muzzles of demonic creatures.

In general, the estate of "Glinka" was created in the Baroque style, the richest and most luxurious, which came to Russia from hot Italy. Absolute symmetry, even in the appearance and layout of the farm buildings, a magnificent park area with a pond in the center and antique statues that greeted people walking along cobbled paths. They resembled heroes from ancient Greek legends, Bruce was very fond of art in all its manifestations. But what became of the statues, you already know.

True, the building itself was also seriously damaged. The fact is that in those places there was a strong fire in the XIX century, it was not possible to completely save the structure, only Bruce's storehouse and laboratory remained intact. Everything else you can see only in the form of reconstruction.

Count's house

The estate of "Glinka" refers to the palace and park type of architectural art. Walking on it, you can see two surviving stone complexes. One can be called ceremonial, and the other - economic. To the parade complex are three wings, as well as the main building - the house of the count. The economic territory is not so interesting, as it underwent many reconstructions in its time.

It's hard to call a house big. For a noble manor it has a very modest size, at the base of it lies a rectangular shape. The house, though elegant in design, but for the classical baroque is very restrained in the decoration. There are only adorned portals, pilasters, a pattern on the platbands. In addition, you can see demon-like shapes carved on the stones of the first floor. On the second floor there are open loggias, where the count liked to breathe air and to admire the starry sky at night. The roof seems to be supported by rows of slender columns, and this small crown of wood crowns all this beauty, where the Earl made his astronomical discoveries.

"Bruce's Laboratory"

From what has come to us in the first-lasting form, obviously stands out the so-called Laboratory of Bruce, it is still customary to call Petrovsky small house. That's it here the tourist and you need to go first thing, because the spectacle is very entertaining. In fact, this is a small pavilion that complements the estate space. Decorative, it is very similar to what you could see in Peterhof. The arched niches along the perimeter of the outer walls preserved a space for statues, snow-white pilasters and capitals.

Inside now do not allow, and do not go there, perhaps, since everything valuable from this laboratory, as it was said before, was taken to St. Petersburg, the museum complex "Kunstkamery."

Sanatorium "Monino"

To date, the entire territory, which is occupied by the estate of "Glinka" in Monino, belongs to the sanatorium. There is a magnificent nature, the institution is perfectly organized rest and medical procedures. Therefore, you can visit the estate not only as a tourist, hungry for new knowledge and impressions, but also for a rest. The places here are truly wonderful.

The western wing of the complex is now given under a museum dedicated to the life and activities of Count Bruce Ya. V. It functions only one day a week, on Sunday, from ten o'clock in the morning.

Location

From the capital to go is not so far away, only fifty kilometers. Finding a homestead is very simple: just turn to Monino, passing along the Gorky highway, then pass through Losino-Petrovsky, and then follow the signs that are specially arranged by the sanatorium administration. You definitely will not get lost.

Coordinates

Address: Glinka Manor, Moscow Region, Shchelkovsky District, Losino-Petrovsky.

It takes only an hour to get from Moscow, if you do not stand in traffic. A fixed-route taxi goes to the village of Losino-Petrovsky. From there it is not difficult to get to the territory of a sanatorium.