Stalin's Dacha (Sochi)

Stalin's Dacha in Sochi, also called the Zelenaya Roshcha dacha, is a former state residence of Joseph Stalin, now a house museum on the grounds of the Zelenaya Roshcha sanatorium in the Novaya Matsesta neighbourhood of Khostinsky District, Sochi, Krasnodar Krai. Stalin holidayed here and took treatment for rheumatism from the late 1930s until 1950.

History

The dacha stands on the site of the Mikhailovskoye estate of the gold-mining entrepreneur Mikhail Zenzinov, which had a large stone house, an orchard and mulberry trees for silk farming. In Soviet times the former estate became a special dacha for the country's leaders. The first house for Stalin was built here around 1931, according to some sources, and in 1936–1937 it was completely rebuilt to a design by the architect Miron Merzhanov. He chose the site together with doctors: about 160 metres above sea level, among Californian pines, oaks and magnolias.

The new building had a two-storey central block and single-storey wings that were raised after the war. Mansions for Beria, Malenkov, Voroshilov and Molotov were built nearby. Stalin came every year from August to early October, for the last time in 1950. His daughter Svetlana recalled that summer trips to Sochi were a family tradition.

In 1972 the Zelenaya Roshcha sanatorium was built on the grounds. In 1991 the dacha passed from the Communist Party's Central Committee to the Zelenaya Roshcha company, and later Ilim LLC became its tenant. A museum and a small 12-room hotel opened in the building.

What to see

The interiors have survived almost unchanged: panelling in fine woods, original furniture and chandeliers, windows, doors and latches. The stair steps are lower than usual so that Stalin could climb them easily. Visitors see the study with a wax figure of Stalin at his desk, a narrow wooden bed, guest rooms and the children's bedrooms, the fireplace hall upstairs and the billiard room. Next to the house is an outdoor pool once filled with sea water, and a lounge with a chess table, a wicker chair and a gramophone with a record collection. The exhibition also includes a GAZ-14 Chaika limousine.

Why Stalin's dacha is green

The building is painted dark green. It is commonly said to be camouflage: amid the park's greenery the house is harder to spot from the sea and from the air.

Location and getting there

Address: Sochi, Kurortny Prospekt 120/1, on the grounds of the Zelenaya Roshcha sanatorium. By public transport, get off at the Sanatoriy Zelenaya Roshcha stop; from the sanatorium gates it is about 850 metres uphill on foot along paths and stairs. The museum usually opens daily from 10:00 to 18:00 and visits are guided; check prices and times before you go.