Stalin's Dacha (Sochi)

Stalin's Dacha in Sochi (also known as the Zelenaya Roshcha dacha, the Novaya Matsesta dacha) is a museum complex, a house-museum on the territory of the Zelenaya Roshcha sanatorium in the Novaya Matsesta microdistrict of the Khostinsky district of the city of Sochi. This museum complex is located in the building of the former dacha of Joseph Stalin, where he regularly rested and received treatment for rheumatism from the late 1930s. Since 1991, the building has been privately owned.

History

Stalin's dacha is located on the territory of the former Mikhailovskoye estate, which belonged to the industrialist and entrepreneur Mikhail Zenzinov. A large stone house was built on the estate, an orchard was planted, and mulberry trees were planted for sericulture. In Soviet times, a dacha was built on the territory specifically for Stalin according to the design of Miron Merzhanov in 1931. All the needs of the leader were taken into account: the staircases at the dacha were made with low steps, the glass was made of rock crystal, and the finishing was done in wood. Stalin's daughter, Svetlana, recalled that trips to Sochi in the summer were a tradition for her father and his wife.

In 1937, the dacha was completely rebuilt. The new dark green building had a two-story central part and one-story wings, added after the war. Mansions for other members of the Politburo were erected nearby: Beria, Malenkov, Voroshilov and Molotov. Stalin vacationed at the dacha every year from August to early October, visiting it for the last time in 1950. The dacha had a swimming pool, which was filled with sea water, as well as a recreation room with a chess table, a wicker chair, a gramophone and a large collection of gramophone records. There was a cinema and billiards.

In 1972, the Zelenaya Roshcha sanatorium was built on the territory. In 1991, the former Stalin's dacha was transferred from the balance sheet of the CPSU Central Committee Administration to the ownership of Zelenaya Roshcha OJSC, and currently the tenant is Ilim LLC (Moscow). Tours are held on the territory of the dacha, and a 12-room hotel operated here.

Stalin's Sochi Dacha

Stalin's Sochi Dacha is one of the most important sights of the city. Here, the past and present intersect, revealing the character and lifestyle of the Leader. The appearance of the dacha has not changed either outside or inside. Architect Miron Merzhanov and doctors carefully selected the location for the dacha, placing it at an altitude of 160 meters above sea level, which creates a unique microclimate. The dacha was surrounded by a park with Californian pines, young oaks and magnolias.

Stalin first visited the dacha in 1937 and vacationed there every year until 1950. All vacation spots for the top leadership of the USSR were built by the state and maintained at state expense. Stalin's dacha did not belong to the leader, but served as a place where he treated his sore joints and rested.

What can be seen in the museum

Architect Merzhanov took into account many nuances when building the dacha for maximum comfort and safety. The dacha is painted dark green, which allows it to blend in with the surrounding landscape. Around the dacha there is a well-kept park with a flowerbed and evergreen trees and palms. The interior decoration is made of valuable wood. The steps on the stairs are made lower than standard, so that it was convenient for Stalin to climb. The windows, doors, locks and latches have been preserved in their original form, and the glazing is made of rock crystal.

The furniture in the dacha is authentic, and the decoration of the walls, ceiling and floor have remained unchanged since the time of construction. There is a park around the house, where Stalin loved to walk. An outdoor pool filled with sea water was made for Stalin near the house. There is a recreation room near the pool, where Stalin played chess and listened to music. In Stalin's office there is a desk with a wax figure of the leader. You can also see a narrow wooden bed, a chess table and a gramophone. The museum also has a billiard room with a unique table.

Visitors can see the guest rooms and bedrooms of Stalin's children, a fireplace room and other rooms. The museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00 daily, and tours are held every hour. Guides tell many interesting facts about Stalin's life and the history of his dacha.