Travels, Tips for tourists

House-Museum "Stalin's Dacha" in Sochi

The figure of Stalin provokes conflicting feelings and emotions not only in the post-Soviet space, but also in the world. The interest in his person of those who are concerned and worried about the world, Russian history and politics, not only does not weaken with time, but even with the current geopolitical changes even growing. Last but not least, this interest is fueled by the fact that not all information about his life and death for the purposes of state security has been made public.

Now, when it became possible to open archives and rethink the tragic and great events that happened at that time, many stories, studies, works, live debates, documentaries and feature films and books about Stalin appeared. Thanks to this interest, museums, in which expositions dedicated to the leader of all nations are presented, received a large influx of visitors. One of the most popular museums is the Sochi house-museum "Stalin's Dacha", located among the magnificent nature of the sanatorium "Green Grove".

History of the museum

The famous Stalin's dacha in Sochi, surrounded by the Matsesta Valley on the one hand and the picturesque Agur canyon on the other, is located just 5 kilometers from the center of Sochi and 12 kilometers from the local airport. It occupies 50 hectares of the territory of the Sochi National Park.

In pre-revolutionary times, this place was called the Mikhailovsky estate and belonged to the wealthy industrialist Zenzinov. After the revolution, a sanatorium was opened in a nationalized building, preserving the buildings themselves and the interior, as they were. The former estate is surrounded by deciduous trees, famous Pitsunda cedars, palms and flower beds.

In the 30-40's. Political leaders and heads of various states rested here, enjoying the splendor of nature, curative springs and high altitude air, creating as a result of mixing several air streams a unique microclimate.

Stalin himself gave the order to found a country residence in the "Green Grove" for himself, which was done in 1937. The residence of the leader in Sochi, as well as many other political dachas, was designed by the architect Merzhanov. The only indication was the refusal of the fountains. Most often, Joseph Vissarionovich joined the family, which usually spends the summer here, only in the fall.

Today Stalin's dacha in Sochi has been transformed into a hotel that has preserved the entire entourage of the Soviet Stalinist Empire.

Interior

Appearance and interior decoration of the dacha were not subject to change and returned guests straight to the 30s of the XX century. The discreet, gray-green façade immediately makes it clear about the modest personal needs and unpretentiousness of the former legendary formidable leader of a great power. Surprisingly, the paint on the facade since those times has not flown around and not burnt out.

All the interior rooms were left with their original decoration of valuable wood. Under the ceilings were placed the original chandeliers that shone on the first master. You can see the sofa of Stalin, which was made by his special order, as well as a fireplace. On the table of the leader remained a written instrument of silver, a gift from Mao Zedong.

Parquet, according to which the leader walked, does not creak and now, there are no trace of time on it. But not only the decoration was preserved by Stalin's dacha in Sochi. Photos from the personal archive, books, furniture, carpets and much more remained the same as during the life of the leader.

At the dacha there is also a pool with sea water, which was used by Stalin, and a cinema, where he was entertained by watching movies. There is also a favorite leather sofa stuffed with horsehair. They say that such a stuffing can stop even a flying bullet.

In the building on the ground floor there is a museum where you can see the wax figure of Stalin dressed in a uniform and sitting at the desk with a pipe in his hand. Caretakers tell visitors terrible stories about how the ghost of the leader strolls at night through his possessions.

Excursion routes

The staff of the museum-dacha of Stalin developed several routes, any of which may interest something special.

During this excursion, you can find interesting details about Stalin's life during the rest in the south, see the original rooms of his son Vasily and daughter Svetlana, go up to the second floor and look at the beautiful fireplace hall in which dinners were given. In the building next door there is a billiard room and a cinema (as is known, Stalin was very fond of watching movies).

At the disposal of the leader was prepared 18 residences in different parts of the country. The most favorite was a dacha in the near suburbs, and the second place was firmly occupied by Stalin's dacha in Sochi, in the "Green Grove".

Infrastructure

The territory of the sanatorium is not only the hotel and the house-museum "Stalin's Dacha" in Sochi, but everything that can be useful for high-quality and interesting recreation: pool, billiards, cinema, restaurant, the menu features Georgian cuisine, which they preferred to order To the table is Stalin himself, and his favorite wine is "Khvanchkara."

Next to the dacha there is a "Stalin's meadow", where there is a picnic complex. All tourists from this complex rely on their own beach at the hotel.

Conditions of visiting the museum

You can visit the house museum only with a guide who will tell you a lot of interesting facts and details about the life and way of life of Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin and his entourage when examining all the premises of the house.

Excursions exclusively group. The cost of the guide 300 rubles. The admission ticket costs 150 rubles per person. For the opportunity to take pictures in the house you need to pay 60 rubles.

"Stalin's Dacha" in Sochi is waiting for visitors daily, from 9:30 to 18:00 without breaks. Visiting the museum is one of the most popular Sochi excursions, therefore it is better to book a ticket in advance.