Trekhgornaya Manufactory

The Trekhgornaya Manufactory is a unique historical complex located in the very heart of the Russian capital. It is the oldest textile enterprise in Moscow, founded more than two centuries ago, and has become a symbol of the development of domestic industry and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Foundation of the Manufactory and the Early Years

The history of the enterprise began in 1799, when the Moscow merchant Vasily Ivanovich Prokhorov, together with the master dyer Fyodor Rezanov, founded a calico-printing factory on the banks of the Moskva River. The name of the manufactory comes from the Tri Gory (Three Hills) area, where the production facilities were located between Nizhnyaya Presnya and Glubokiy Lane. Initially, the enterprise specialized in the production of printed fabrics and calico, which at that time were in great demand on the Russian market. Vasily Prokhorov, a far-sighted entrepreneur, soon bought out his partner’s share and became the sole owner of the factory.

Reconstruction After the War of 1812

The Patriotic War of 1812 became a serious ordeal for the young enterprise. French troops destroyed part of the production facilities, but Prokhorov did not abandon the idea of reviving the manufactory. After the end of hostilities, management of the devastated factory passed to his son, Timofey Prokhorov, who proved to be a talented manager and innovator. Timofey Prokhorov not only quickly restored production but also introduced numerous technical improvements. In 1816, he founded at the factory an educational school for training young craftsmen—the first of its kind in Russia. After the cholera epidemic of 1830, about one hundred orphaned children from the petty bourgeoisie were admitted to the school, making the institution not only an industrial but also a socially significant project.

Development of Production and International Recognition

Studying European Experience

In 1832, Timofey Prokhorov undertook an educational journey to Germany, where he studied in detail the operation of factories, plants, and manufacturing establishments. He visited public schools and universities, attended lectures, and observed teaching methods. The experience gained had a tremendous impact on the development of the Trekhgornaya Manufactory. Upon returning to Russia in 1833, Prokhorov founded a school for adults and children at the factory, where, along with training in various crafts—such as weaving, printing, wood and metal carving, carpentry, blacksmithing, and dye preparation—students were taught reading, writing, arithmetic, and the Law of God. Later, a school for girls was opened, where literacy and women’s crafts were taught.

Awards and Recognition at International Exhibitions

The quality of the Trekhgornaya Manufactory’s products received the highest praise both in Russia and abroad. In 1835, the factory’s goods at the Moscow Manufactures Exhibition attracted special attention from Emperor Nicholas I. In 1848, the factory received the right to depict the state emblem on its products—the highest mark of quality of that era. International recognition came to the manufactory at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, where it was awarded a medal. In 1862, at the same venue, the enterprise’s products received a gold medal. At the 1867 World Exhibition in Paris, the manufactory was awarded a silver medal, confirming its status as one of the leading textile producers in Europe.

Establishment of the Partnership and New Challenges

Reorganization of the Enterprise

In the early 1870s, Ivan Yakovlevich Prokhorov, the founder’s grandson, carried out a legal reorganization of the production. In 1874, the Charter of the Prokhorov Trekhgornaya Manufactory Partnership was approved, and the company became a joint-stock partnership based on shares. Ivan Prokhorov assumed the position of managing director, while his brother Alexey Yakovlevich headed commercial affairs.

The Catastrophic Fire of 1877

On the night of December 22–23, 1877, the manufactory suffered a terrible disaster—a devastating fire destroyed all factory buildings located along the banks of the Moskva River. Machines, finished products, and production facilities perished in the flames. However, the owners did not give up and began restoring the enterprise. In 1879, construction of new stone factory buildings began. The most advanced machinery was purchased from English factories. In November 1881, the renovated factory resumed operations, equipped with modern technology.

The Golden Age at the Turn of the Century

By the end of the 19th century, a spinning mill had appeared on the manufactory’s grounds. Production capacities reached impressive scales: 716 looms with Dobby mechanisms, 664 Jacquard looms, 75 looms for the production of flannel and other fabrics, and 64 looms for plain-weave fabrics were in operation. At the end of the 19th century, the enterprise faced environmental problems. Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich issued a decree prohibiting the discharge of waste water into the Moskva River. Despite the installation of treatment facilities, the factory faced the threat of closure. Only thanks to the intervention of the well-known philanthropist Nikolai Naydenov was the issue resolved.

Artistic Traditions of the Manufactory

A special place in the history of the Trekhgornaya Manufactory is occupied by the artistic design of fabrics. Textile patterns were created by Russian artists educated in the traditions of Bukhara, Persian, and Byzantine art. The enterprise was the first in Russia to produce scarves, shawls, and fabrics with original ornaments. The process of creating patterned fabrics was extremely labor-intensive: first, an artist created a design, then it was carved into wooden blocks, paint was applied, and the pattern was printed onto the fabric. Working at the Prokhorov Manufactory was considered prestigious among artists. In different years, for example, the sister of the poet Mayakovsky worked here, creating lyrical and original designs.

Revolutionary Events and the Soviet Period

The December Uprising of 1905

During the revolutionary events of 1905, the Trekhgornaya Manufactory became one of the centers of the workers’ movement. During the December Uprising, the factory served as the main base for combat squads. A workshop for manufacturing weapons was organized in the spinning mill building, while explosives were produced in the chemical laboratory.

The Period After the October Revolution

In the October days of 1917, Trekhgorka workers fought in central Moscow—on Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street, near the Metropol Hotel, on the approaches to the Kremlin, and near the Bryansk Railway Station. In March 1917, an RSDLP(b) organization was established at the combine. Vladimir Lenin repeatedly addressed the Trekhgorka workers and was their deputy in the Moscow Soviet. After the revolution, the factory was nationalized and was able to resume normal operations only in 1920. In 1936, the enterprise was named after Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky. Between 1926 and 1928, a thermal power plant was built to supply the manufactory with steam as part of the implementation of the GOELRO plan.

The Years of the Great Patriotic War

During the Great Patriotic War, the Trekhgornaya Manufactory made a significant contribution to victory. The combine produced fabrics for Red Army uniforms, ammunition, bandages, and cloth for underwear. In 1943, the enterprise contributed more than 450,000 rubles toward the construction of the “Moscow” tank column. For services to the Motherland, in 1944, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the factory was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and in 1949—the Order of Lenin. From 1946 to 1955, the factory director was Anna Severyanova, who made a major contribution to postwar reconstruction.

Postwar Development and Industrial Prosperity

During the Soviet period, the Trekhgornaya Manufactory held a leading position in the country’s textile industry. The combine produced cotton, staple, and other fabrics. The spinning and finishing factories were reconstructed and equipped with new machinery. The volume of finished fabric production in 1973 increased by 35 percent compared to 1940. The enterprise was repeatedly modernized with advanced technology. Peak productivity was achieved in the 1980s, when the manufactory produced two hundred million meters of various fabrics annually. The Trekhgornaya Manufactory was always a leader not only in production but also in artistic design. The factory even printed propaganda posters on fabric. All technological innovations in the textile industry were first tested here and only then disseminated to other enterprises across Russia.

The Current State of the Complex

With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the economic transformations of the 1990s, textile production in Moscow declined. In 2002, a controlling stake in the enterprise was acquired through a Cypriot company by the Basic Element Group. In 2008, weaving production was relocated to the town of Gavrilov Yam in the Yaroslavl Region. Of the once vast production in Moscow, only the commercial department, design center, and administration remain. In 2020, the enterprise was reorganized into a limited liability company, “Trekhgornaya Manufactory.”

Renovation of the Territory

The former industrial buildings of the Trekhgornaya Manufactory underwent significant transformation at the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century. The historic area was adapted for modern needs: office centers, art galleries, design studios, exhibition spaces, and restaurants were established here. Today, the Trekhgornaya Manufactory represents a vivid example of the successful renovation of an industrial zone into a multifunctional space, where historical heritage is combined with contemporary trends in architecture and design. The complex is located between Rochdelskaya Street, Nikolayeva Street, 1905 Goda Street, and the Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment, and is a cultural heritage site of regional significance.

Cultural Significance and Legacy

The Trekhgornaya Manufactory attracts many visitors with cultural events, art exhibitions, and fashionable venues. It is a place where history meets modernity, offering a unique experience for everyone interested in art, industrial history, and architecture. For more than two centuries, the Trekhgornaya Manufactory has played an important role in the development of the Russian textile industry. The enterprise was not only an industrial giant but also a socially responsible employer, creating schools, theaters, libraries, and hospitals for its workers. Today, the Trekhgornaya Manufactory brand continues to exist, producing high-quality Russian textiles. A wide range of products and a commitment to quality traditions allow the enterprise to maintain its position in the market. The recognizable style of Trekhgorka, based on its rich artistic heritage, continues to attract customers who value quality and the history of domestic manufacturing.