Personally, you can visit and see all the sights and ancient palaces and temples located in the Leningrad region, usually even no time for local residents. Too many interesting and beautiful places in this region. But some of them are special and should be visited at the earliest opportunity. Such attractions include the museum-estate "Rozhdestveno". Traditionally, this estate is associated with the Nabokov family (the same one in which the great writer was born). But in fact the estate has a more ancient and interesting history.
Rozhdestveno village and manor house
In 1499, according to historical sources, in place of the modern village and the palace there was a graveyard named after Great Nicholas. Peter the Great after the end of the Northern War transferred these lands to the prince Alexei. The new master ordered to build the church of the Most-Holy Nativity of the Virgin on the highest elevation. It is believed that it was the temple that got its name and the whole settlement. When the prince died, Catherine the First gave the village the status of a district town. For 20 years a new church, stone houses, a military school and a guest yard have appeared here. However, in 1796 Rozhdestveno - this again sat down, handed over for life to the adviser NE. Ephraim and all his descendants Paul the First. The majestic manor house, in which the museum exposition is located today, was supposedly built at the end of the eighteenth century, the architect is unknown.
Nabokov in Rozhdestveno
The family of Ephraim owned the estate for slightly more than half a century. In 1857 the estate was sold to Yu.D. Manukhin, and after it was owned by the merchant of the First Guild K.Ya. Bush. In the autumn of 1890 the estate was bought by I.V. Rukavishnikov is a state councilor, gold miner. After his death, his son and the palace inherit the land. The next owner of the estate is Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov (nephew of IV Rukavishnikov). However, the family of the great writer did not long enjoy life in the new estate: the estate was taken over by the Nabokovs in 1916 shortly before the revolution. But, in spite of this, today the museum-estate "Rozhdestveno" is dedicated to the creativity of the writer and the life of his family. In the manor house the interiors are reconstructed, here you can see many original household items, personal belongings and documents of the Nabokov family.
Museum-Estate "Rozhdestveno": a photo in our days and modern history
After the revolution of 1917, in various years in a luxurious manor house there was a hostel, the headquarters of enemy troops (during the Great Patriotic War), a school. In 1974, there already is a museum-estate "Rozhdestveno" - dedicated to the history of the region. The collection was quite young - collected during the previous 20 years in the local library. Despite this, the museum of local lore survived and gradually developed. In 1988, the exposition was included in the branches of the united regional museums. In 1995, the building was badly damaged during a fire. But, despite this sad historical fact, the museum-estate of Nabokov "Rozhdestveno" today again receives guests. The house was reconstructed, literally rebuilt. Today, the first floor looks the same as when the last owners of the estate lived. The exposition is open to tourists. In addition to the chic interiors, here you can see a collection of exotic butterflies and family albums of the Nabokovs. On the second floor there are a library, an archive and other office space.
How to get to the Nabokov Museum?
The exact address of the estate: Leningrad region, Gatchina district, Rozhdestveno village. From St. Petersburg, you can get here by car (about 70 km) or public transport. From the Baltic Station , trains to the North Station are regularly followed. Next, you need to take bus number 121 or 500 and drive to Rozhdestveno village. On a personal car it is more convenient to leave the metro station Moskovskaya. Then you need to follow the signs or use the navigator.
Museum-Estate "Rozhdestveno" is on all modern maps and is noted as a cultural object. In addition to the main exhibition, there are regularly held a variety of thematic exhibitions and interesting events. An old park has been preserved around the manor house, and nearby there are picturesque caves. Feel free to go on a trip if your goal is "Rozhdestveno" (museum-estate). How to get to the estate, you will tell anyone in the village. Focus on the homonymous settlement, and then the estate complex you will find with ease.