The Kuskovo Estate is a unique architectural and park complex of the 18th century, located in the eastern part of Moscow. This outstanding monument of cultural heritage allows visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Catherine era and become acquainted with the history of one of the noblest Russian families.
The magnificent pavilions, exquisite palace interiors, French park with numerous sculptures, and picturesque ponds create the unique appearance of the ancient residence, where lavish balls and ceremonial receptions of the highest society of the Russian Empire once took place.
History of the estate complex
The Kuskovo lands belonged to the Sheremetev family since the 16th century. Initially, the small estate was used as a summer country residence, intended for celebrations and receiving guests.
The estate reached its peak of prosperity in the 18th century, when Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev decided to create a large-scale palace and park ensemble in the then-fashionable French style.
Pyotr Borisovich was the son of the celebrated military commander Boris Petrovich Sheremetev, one of Peter I's closest associates, who distinguished himself in the Battle of Poltava. Thanks to an advantageous marriage to Princess Varvara Alekseevna Cherkasskaya, the family's holdings significantly expanded, which allowed for large-scale construction.
During the period from 1750 to the 1770s, the main buildings were erected in Kuskovo: the ceremonial palace, numerous entertainment pavilions, orangeries for growing exotic plants, and a regular park with geometrically correct alleys.
At that time, the Kuskovo park was considered the largest regular park in all of Europe, amazing contemporaries with its perfect symmetry of layout and luxury of decoration.
Trials of time
The history of the estate was not without dramatic events. In 1812, during the occupation of Moscow by Napoleonic troops, the estate was plundered by French soldiers. Significant damage was also inflicted during the Great Patriotic War, when military facilities were located on the complex's territory.
After the revolutionary events of 1917, the estate was nationalized by the new government. A state museum was created on the basis of the former Sheremetev estate, and in 1938 the unique collection of the Museum of Ceramics was transferred here. The last private owner of Kuskovo was Sergei Dmitrievich Sheremetev, a prominent public figure and patron of the arts.
Revival of the historical appearance
Large-scale restoration of the complex was carried out in 2017-2019. Specialists meticulously studied archival documents, old engravings and photographs to recreate as accurately as possible the historical appearance of building facades and interior decoration of rooms. Thanks to these works, modern visitors can see the estate almost as it existed in its heyday under Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev.
Architectural gems of the estate
The Grand Palace — heart of the estate
The central building of the complex amazes with the elegance of its architectural design. The palace is built of wood, however, skillful finishing using stucco and pink coloring creates the impression of a stone structure.
The facade is decorated in the style of Russian classicism with elements of baroque: stucco details, bas-reliefs depicting military attributes, and elegant porticos give the building a ceremonial appearance.
The main entrance is framed by a six-column portico, crowned with the owner's monogram. Gentle ramps adjoin the central part, allowing guests to drive up to the entrance directly in carriages. At the base of the ramps stand marble sphinxes with female faces and lion bodies — each sculpture has unique facial features.
The interior decoration of the palace represents an enfilade of luxurious halls and rooms. The walls are upholstered with expensive silk fabrics, decorated with portraits of the owners and paintings by Russian and European masters. The interiors feature authentic objects from the 18th century: exquisite furniture, porcelain items, antique mirrors in gilded frames, decorative fireplaces with artistic painting.
Each room has a special purpose and decoration: the Crimson Drawing Room for receiving ladies, the library with a rich book collection, the Picture Gallery, the Card Room for gambling games. The Crystal Hall, the most spacious room of the palace, was intended for holding balls. Its ceiling is decorated with a grandiose fresco painting depicting the celestial vault and angels. The enfilade concludes with the Formal Dining Room with a table set according to the etiquette of the Catherine era.
The Grotto — underwater kingdom on land
The Grotto Pavilion is one of the most exotic structures of the estate complex. Erected in 1756-1761 according to the design of serf architect Fyodor Argunov, it is the only monument in Moscow with preserved decoration of natural shells.
The architectural design of the pavilion embodies the idea of merging two elements — stone and water. The external decoration imitates water flows: a dome fountain crowns the building, the porch is made in the form of waves, openwork grilles resemble algae. Above the entrance is placed a large decorative shell.
The interior decoration of the Grotto creates the illusion of being in Neptune's underwater chambers. For decorating the walls and ceilings, shells of twenty-four different species were used, collected on the coasts of the Mediterranean, Black, Red Seas, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as in Moscow region water bodies. Work on creating the unique interior continued for about fourteen years under the direction of serf master Zinin and German specialist Johann Focht.
The pavilion consists of a central round hall and two side cabinets. The Northern cabinet is decorated in cold tones, imitating northern seas, the Southern — in a warmer color palette with solar motifs. In the decorative compositions, in addition to shells, fragments of mirrors, corals, colored glass, dried algae and gypsum stucco were used. An attentive observer will discern images of marine inhabitants, birds and fantastic creatures.
The stone construction of the pavilion provided coolness even on the hottest summer days, making the Grotto a favorite place for relaxation and romantic meetings. The highest guests were received here, including Empress Catherine II and Emperor Alexander III.
Dutch House — tribute to the memory of Peter the Great
This pavilion is one of the early buildings of the estate — on its facade one can see the date of construction: 1749.
The creation of the Dutch House is connected with the tradition of honoring the memory of Peter I and his special attachment to the Netherlands, where the young tsar learned shipbuilding and European sciences.
Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev created a miniature corner of Holland with a characteristic house and pond, reproducing the appearance of a typical Amsterdam dwelling. The facade of the building is skillfully painted to look like brickwork — from a distance it seems that the walls are laid with real red brick, but up close the painterly nature of the finish becomes obvious.
The interior decoration is sustained in the Dutch style: walls are lined with painted tiles with traditional blue painting, the interior is filled with authentic furniture, household utensils, old paintings by Dutch masters and a collection of Delft porcelain. The atmosphere of the rooms recreates the life of a wealthy Amsterdam burgher of the 18th century.
Guests of the estate began their acquaintance with Kuskovo precisely with this pavilion. Here was located a drawbridge across the pond, by which visitors entered the estate territory. At the water body, guests were offered to feed goldfish that swam up to the sound of a bell.
Hermitage Pavilion — place for the chosen ones
The small two-story building is distinguished by unusual architecture: the pavilion has a rounded shape without right angles. Initially, the structure was used as a private club for select male society.
The feature of the building was the absence of internal stairs — guests ascended to the second floor using a mechanical lift on which a sofa was installed. This engineering innovation for that time ensured complete confidentiality of meetings of influential persons. A special lifting mechanism was also used for delivering food and drinks.
In the upper rooms, closed meetings were held, business negotiations were conducted, card games were organized. Outsiders did not have access to these chambers and could not eavesdrop on confidential conversations. Currently, the pavilion is used for placing temporary exhibition displays.
Swiss House — the last addition
This structure appeared in the estate later than others — at the end of the 19th century. The last private owner of the estate, Sergei Dmitrievich Sheremetev, erected for himself a cozy residential house, sustained in the style of an Alpine chalet.
The building is built of wood and painted dark brown. The first floor is decorated with painting imitating brickwork, the second floor and roof are richly decorated with carved wooden elements characteristic of Swiss architecture. Count Sergei Dmitrievich spent much time here, engaging in scientific research and work on historical works.
Italian House — miniature palazzo
The pavilion was built in 1754-1755 under the direction of architect Yuri Kologrivov, who received his education in Rome. The building reproduces characteristic features of Italian palazzos of the Renaissance era: high arched windows with elegant frames, openwork balustrades on the roof, stucco decoration and the owner's monograms.
The first floor was used as a "cabinet of curiosities" — here was kept a collection of antique sculptures, unusual paintings made of beads and colored marble, a miniature model of the Church of the Nativity. The second floor was intended for intimate receptions and demonstration of works of Italian art from the Sheremetev collection.
The pavilion is surrounded by a decorative garden, planned in Mediterranean style with plants characteristic of Italy and small architectural forms.
Church of the All-Merciful Savior
The temple became the first stone structure on the territory of the future estate. According to family legend, Count Boris Petrovich Sheremetev during a diplomatic mission to Europe on behalf of Peter I visited the Vatican, where the Pope presented him with a gift of a golden cross with a particle of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
In 1737, the count erected a house church for storing the relic. At the end of the 18th century, a bell tower with a high gilded spire was built next to the church. The day of the patronal feast — of the All-Merciful Savior — was celebrated in the estate with special solemnity. After the liturgy, a religious procession was performed with water blessing on the pond, accompanied by cannon salute and raising of festive flags on the yacht.
The temple practically did not suffer in Soviet times, as it was used for storing museum exhibits. Now it is an active Orthodox church, where services are regularly held and the bell ringing of eight bells sounds.
Orangeries and outbuildings
Large Stone Orangery
This pavilion is the largest structure of the estate. Built by architect Fyodor Argunov in 1763, it performed a dual function. Here exotic plants and fruits were grown for the imperial court: lemons, oranges, peaches, as well as coffee and tea trees — crops not adapted to the climate of central Russia.
Count Sheremetev was proud of the opportunity to supply fresh exotic fruits to the tsar's table at any time of year. Simultaneously, the orangery served as a venue for balls and ceremonial receptions — among tropical vegetation in luxurious interiors, guests danced and conducted social conversations.
Currently, the orangery premises house the exhibition halls of the estate's Portrait Gallery and exhibitions of the Museum of Ceramics.
American Orangery
This structure was called the "building of great heat" because of its special heating system. The building is erected on a stone foundation, the roof is constructed from window frames with various angles of inclination, which provided optimal light conditions for heat-loving plants.
Thanks to the engineering solution, tropical fruits were successfully cultivated here: bananas, pineapples, citrus fruits. Currently, the building presents exhibitions of the Museum of Ceramics.
Kitchen Wing
The stone building, intended for food preparation, in its external appearance more resembles an elegant palace than an outbuilding. The facades are decorated with columns and stucco decoration with geometric ornaments. The roof is crowned with a snow-white balustrade with decorative vases.
The wing included two kitchens — Russian and French, a confectionery workshop, bakery and linen room for storing table linens and dishes. The location of the kitchen separate from the palace was explained by fire safety requirements and the desire to shield the ceremonial halls from kitchen odors.
Regular French Park
The Kuskovo park was created according to the canons of French garden and park art with characteristic geometric planning.
This was the most extensive regular park in all of 18th century Europe. The alleys are arranged strictly symmetrically, all landscape elements are subordinated to a single compositional scheme with ideal proportions.
The park is decorated with numerous marble and bronze sculptures of ancient deities and allegorical characters. Flower beds with decorative plants create bright color accents. Centuries-old trees form shady alleys. Comfortable benches allow one to rest and enjoy the beauty of the landscape.
On the territory of the park, memorial objects associated with visits to the estate by royal personages have been preserved. Catherine II visited Kuskovo repeatedly. In 1775, she granted Count Pyotr Borisovich an obelisk as a sign of recognition of his services to the Fatherland. Three oak trees near the Dutch House were planted by Emperor Alexander III, Empress Maria Feodorovna and Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich (future Nicholas II) during a visit to the estate in 1886.
Menageries — palaces for waterfowl
Five small stone structures of reddish color are located on the shore of the pond. Despite their modest size, they are decorated with stucco and count's monograms, externally resembling miniature palaces. In fact, these were dwellings for rare waterfowl: black and white swans, pelicans, American geese and ducks.
Each menagerie had its own courtyard and access to the water body, where birds could freely go out. The structures were recreated in 1980 according to preserved archival documents and drawings.
Aviary for songbirds
In the mid-18th century, a large rounded cage was installed in the park for keeping songbirds, peacocks and decorative roosters. The birds enlivened the atmosphere of the estate with their voices and colorful plumage. Particularly spectacular were peacocks spreading their magnificent tails.
Currently, peacocks are again kept in the aviary, delighting visitors with their presence.
Green Theater
Among spreading trees in the 18th century, an open-air theater was arranged. The amphitheater for spectators, designed for 80-100 seats, was arranged in a semicircle around the stage, which rose on a hill. The stage was framed by bosquets — decoratively trimmed shrubs. The orchestra pit was intended for musicians, and two round towers of trimmed greenery served as dressing rooms.
On summer evenings, actors from the Sheremetevs' serf theater performed on this stage. Here sounded the voice of the celebrated Praskovya Zhemchugova, who later became the wife of Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetev. Unfortunately, the Green Theater has not been preserved in its original form, memory of it remains only in old engravings.
Museum of Ceramics
On the territory of the estate is located Russia's only specialized museum of ceramics. The collection has been forming for over a century and numbers more than 40,000 exhibits. The collection presents ceramic products from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, Eastern countries, European states and Russia of various epochs.
Of particular value is the Egyptian Service, created in memory of Napoleon's Egyptian campaign of 1798. This luxurious set of dishes was presented by Napoleon Bonaparte to Russian Emperor Alexander I after the end of the war of 1812 as a sign of reconciliation. The service was used for ceremonial receptions in the Tuileries Palace in Paris.
The museum collection houses works by outstanding Russian artists who worked in ceramics: Mikhail Vrubel, Vasily Kandinsky, Boris Kustodiev and Kazimir Malevich. The exposition demonstrates the evolution of ceramic art and the change of aesthetic ideals in various historical periods.
Opening hours
- The park is open for visits from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00
- The Palace and Grotto are accessible from 10:00 to 16:00
- Pavilions are open from 10:00 to 18:00
- Closed days — Monday and Tuesday
- Last Wednesday of each month — sanitary day
Cost of visit
Ticket prices vary depending on the object of visit:
- Park entrance — 50 rubles
- Palace — 300 rubles (reduced 150 rubles)
- Grotto — 200 rubles (reduced 150 rubles)
- Exhibition in the Large Stone Orangery — 200 rubles (reduced 150 rubles)
- Hermitage — 150 rubles (reduced 100 rubles)
- Italian and Dutch Houses — 150 rubles each (reduced 100 rubles)
- Combined ticket for all pavilions — 850 rubles
Reduced rates are provided for schoolchildren, full-time students and pensioners. Children under 6 years old enter free. Tickets can be purchased both at ticket offices at the entrance and online on the estate's official website. Photography in pavilions must be paid for additionally. Amateur photography in the park is free.
How to get to the estate
The Kuskovo Museum-Estate is located in the eastern part of Moscow at the address: Yunosti Street, building 2, structure 1 (Veshnyaki district).
By metro and bus:
- From "Ryazansky Prospekt" metro station (Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya line) by buses No. 133 or No. 208 to the "Muzey Kuskovo" stop
- From "Perovo" or "Vykhino" metro stations by bus No. 620 to the "Muzey Kuskovo" stop
- From "Novogireevo" metro station one can walk in approximately 25-30 minutes
By car:
From the Garden Ring, turn onto Taganskaya Street, then proceed along Nizhegorodskaya Street and Ryazansky Prospekt. At the intersection with Papernika Street, turn left and drive along Yunosti Street to the entrance to the museum complex. A parking lot for visitors is equipped in front of the entrance.
Recommendations for visitors
- The complex territory occupies about 20 hectares, so for a complete inspection one should allocate at least 3-4 hours
- Comfortable shoes are necessary for long walks in the park
- A special temperature regime is maintained in the pavilions for the preservation of exhibits, it is recommended to have a light cardigan with you
- A cafe and souvenir shop operate on the territory
- For a deeper acquaintance with the history of the estate, one can order an excursion with a guide
- Information plaques with descriptions of objects and direction signs are installed everywhere
Visiting rules
- Smoking, consumption of alcoholic beverages and making fires are prohibited on the territory
- Visiting with pets is not allowed
- Walking on lawns and touching sculptures is prohibited
- Riding bicycles, scooters and rollerblades on the complex territory is not permitted
- Feeding waterfowl on the ponds is not recommended
Cultural program and events
The Kuskovo Estate is not just an open-air museum, but also an active cultural venue.
Throughout the year, numerous events are held here: classical music concerts, theatrical performances, historical reconstructions of balls of the Catherine era, master classes in decorative and applied arts.
Special educational programs are organized for children: interactive quests on the estate territory, classes in the "Academy of Young Nobility," master classes in painting porcelain and ceramics, theatrical productions. Young visitors can become acquainted with the life of Russian nobility of the 18th century in game form.
Temporary exhibitions from the museum's collection and private collections are regularly held. In the Hermitage pavilion, expositions of contemporary decorative and applied art are demonstrated. The current schedule of events can be found on the official website of the museum-estate.
Kuskovo in cinema
Thanks to magnificently preserved historical interiors and pavilions, the Kuskovo estate has become a popular venue for filming feature films.
Scenes of cult Soviet films were shot here: "Midshipmen, Forward!", "Put in a Word for the Poor Hussar," "Shirli-Myrli" and many others. Visitors to the estate can see the very places where filming of beloved films took place.
Conclusion
The Kuskovo Estate represents a unique monument of Russian noble culture of the 18th century. This is living history, frozen in stone, wood and landscape. A walk through the shady alleys of the French park, acquaintance with the luxurious interiors of the palace and pavilions, contemplation of sculptures and reflections of ancient buildings in the mirror surface of ponds transport visitors to the era of the gallant age.
Here one can not only learn about the history of the famous Sheremetev family, but also feel the atmosphere of a time when high culture flourished in Russia, outstanding works of art were created, and estate life was an integral part of national identity. Each pavilion tells its own story, each corner of the park preserves the memory of long-gone times.
Experienced guides will help to understand more deeply the history of the estate, tell little-known facts from the life of the owners, show hidden details of architecture and interiors. A visit to Kuskovo is an opportunity to immerse oneself for several hours in the world of Russian aristocracy, understand the aesthetic ideals of the Enlightenment era and enjoy the beauty of one of the best examples of Russian estate art.
The Kuskovo Museum-Estate in Moscow is a place to which one wants to return again and again, each time discovering new details and facets of this amazing monument of history and culture.