L.N. Tolstoy is a significant figure of Russian literature. You can learn more about the writer's life and work by visiting his historical homeland. This is the city of Tula. "Clear Glade" is a manor in which Leo Nikolayevich lived and worked. Today it is a huge open-air museum complex. An excursion to this unusual place is a great idea for organizing the leisure of the whole family on weekends, you can get from Moscow in just 2.5 hours.
History of the estate
At the end of the seventeenth century, the construction of the manor began. The first owners were the Kartsevs. Later Yasnaya Polyana was given to the family of Volkonskie, who are relatives of the great writer by her mother. The grandfather of Leo Nikolayevich - Nikolai Volkonsky - was very fond of the estate and was actively engaged in economic affairs, as well as beautification of the vast territory. The writer was born in this estate, here he lived at least 50 years, and when he felt the approach of death, bequeathed to bury him in the Yasnaya Polyana and even he chose a secluded place in the woods near the ravine. These instructions were executed, and the tomb of Tolstoy is unchanged in our days. During the Great Patriotic War, the estate suffered, but it was restored. Thanks to the timely evacuation of the collection, many valuable original scripts remain. After the death of the writer, the museum is managed by his descendants, today the great-great-grandson Vladimir Tolstoy remains the director.
What to see?
Try to plan the trip time so that you have at least 4-5 hours left for a walk through the unique nature reserve. Tula is rich in various attractions. "Clear Glade" - an excursion that does not require haste. Many residents of the region like to come here several times a month, just to relax in nature and think. They say that there is a very special atmosphere here. In addition to avenues, gardens, lawns and reservoirs, some buildings and structures have been preserved on the territory of the manor. The main building is the house of Tolstoy, the most ancient is the house of Volkonsky, the Kuzminsky outhouse has also been preserved. Some farm buildings were also preserved: the coachman's, the smithy, the carpentry, the barn and the rig. Important places are the writer's favorite bench and his grave. Another special attraction is the Tree of Love, birch and oak, the trunks of which twist each other.
Branches of the museum
The protected complex "Tula: Yasnaya Polyana" has several branches. Start the inspection is still from the estate. Please note - excursion service is booked in advance, but you can use the guide's services on the spot (with a quick set of the group). The cost of passage to the territory of the reserve is paid separately from excursions. This is a symbolic sum, about 50 rubles. Separately, it will be necessary to pay for viewing the exposures located inside the buildings. The most interesting for visiting the house of Tolstoy, where you can see the personal belongings of the writer, visit his bedroom and study. The house of Volkonsky is interesting primarily thanks to a collection of antique furniture, art objects and household items. After visiting the manor, you can go to the Kozlovsky Zasek - the nearest railway station. Today, for tourists are open and other estates, once belonged to the relatives of Lev Nikolaevich. This Little Pirogovo - the writer's sister's estate, Nikolskoe-Vyazemsky - the building was completely rebuilt from scratch according to the information about the original house, Pokrovskoe - the estate of another sister, Mansurovo - here once lived the son of Tolstoy. A lot of interesting exhibits related to Yasnaya Polyana can be seen in the Tula Museum of Local History, as well as in the local history museum in Krapiwa.
Mode of work and rules of conduct
The territory of the museum is a reserved area. The rules of behavior are standard - do not litter and move only on footpaths. There are toilet rooms, garbage bins and benches for rest. Photo and video shooting in the reserve is free. You can visit the homestead any day except Monday (sanitary). If your choice - trips to major holidays, Tula, Yasnaya Polyana will please folk festivals. But keep in mind that with the influx of tourists, ticket sales can be stopped earlier than the time set by the schedule. In the warm season the territory is open until 21.00, in the winter - until 18.00. Internal expositions of buildings close a little earlier.
Museum "Yasnaya Polyana": reviews of tourists
Everyone tells about the trip to the estate in different ways. Someone was not lucky to get here on a very popular day. Other guests of the reserve simply adore him for their beauty and silence. If possible, it is better to come on weekdays. On Friday and Saturday, weddings are played, and newlyweds with guests from virtually the entire Tula region come to the mansion for walks and photo sessions. Certainly, the city of Tula is rich in history. Clear clearing and one more estate, Polenovo, is an excellent variant of the excursion program for the weekend. At least once in his life visit the capital of gunsmiths and the estate of Leo Tolstoy stands.
Tula, Yasnaya Polyana: how to get there?
From Moscow to Tula, you can go by car on the highway M2. Electric trains, fixed-route taxis and regular buses are also sent from many train stations of the capital. Some routes of public transport go from Tula to Yasnaya Polyana. These are buses Nos. 114, 117 and 280. You can get there by car, bright signposts are hanging around the city especially for autotourists. Go to the direction of Shchekino, after leaving the city, be guided by the main road and signs. Parking in front of the reserve is free, nearby are cafes and souvenir shops.