One of the most visited places in the Moscow region by tourists is the Glinka estate, one of the oldest architectural monuments of the 18th century. In addition, this place is older than other estates in the Moscow region. These places belonged to the nobles by the name of Bryus, who descended from Yakov Vilimovich, an associate of Peter the Great, a military and statesman, scientist and diplomat. All the architectural splendor that amazes the sophisticated traveler even today was created around the thirties of the 18th century, when the ancestor of the dynasty was forced to retire. He was an outstanding person, he loved art, and was also fond of science. The peasants called him the sorcerer.
Jakov Bruce
This man knew almost every contemporary. He came from an ancient Scottish family, but fate threw him into distant Russia, where, however, he made a very good career. He began his service at the court of Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov, being very young. He continued to serve under the Dual Power, and then swore allegiance to the young andactive Peter. By the way, it was he who rushed to the tsar to help during the Streltsy rebellion, which won the future emperor over to him. Peter considered Bruce one of his closest associates, they took part in many battles of the Russian army together.
Jakov Bruce was famous at court for his craving for scientific knowledge, he could rightly be called a polymath, since he was interested in almost all scientific disciplines, in many of them he achieved considerable success. For example, he was well versed in tactics and strategy, mastered the cannon business, and during his life he received the honorary title of general feldtsmeister (that is, the head of artillery). It was he who had the honor of heading the Berg and Manufacture Collegium, and he also founded the well-known Navigation School. And, of course, he is known to many people for having created his own “Bryusov calendar”, which many people were guided by, adjusting their way of life to it. And this is only a small fraction of what was done by Count Bruce for Imperial Russia.
Yakov Bruce's estate
It's a pity, but under the followers of Peter the count did not get a place at court, although no one insisted on his resignation. Nevertheless, Yakov Bruce withdraws from politics, submits his resignation and moves to an estate near Moscow, dear to his heart, which he acquired while still young. This estate bore the pleasant name of the Glinka estate. It was not a pity for Bruce to leave dank Petersburg, because the estate was located in the very center of natural beauties, and also very close toancient Russian capital.
Only this is strange: according to the stories of the local population, as well as directly from the residents of the nearby village of Glinkovo, unusual things began to happen in these places. The master's house itself surprised the peasants with its outlandish appearance; it was built in the most fashionable style at that time - Italian baroque. Stucco work, golden monograms, symmetry and grace seemed very strange against the background of the Russian birch forest and rickety peasant houses.
Legends and mysteries
And besides, according to the peasants, the count himself was a weirdo. For example, many of them marveled at his habit of climbing out onto the roof of his own house at night, choosing the highest place and looking at something in the sky for a long time with the help of a bulky pipe. Of course, now it is obvious that the count was just fond of astronomy, but this was incomprehensible to the peasants.
And therefore, if a drought or thunderstorms suddenly began, then the people believed that this count-sorcerer was doing something wrong. What kind of legends did not arise associated with the name of Jacob Bruce, what kind of tales did not add up local residents. By the way, these same tales sounded a little later at the court, because, as you know, the earth is full of rumors. Either eyewitnesses shared their impressions that Bruce saddled an iron dragon and soared on it under the clouds, then heavenly music began to play in the park by the clap of his palms, and it also subsided at his command.
And even when Bruce passed away, the fame of him buzzed for a long time. According to some sources, the restless wizard count, even afterdeath, he wandered around his estate for a long time and frightened the new owners or the local population. It’s strange, but those owners who got the estate of Bruce “Glinka”, subsequently, either imbued with these legends, or really seeing something strange, ordered to destroy all the sculptural groups on the estate. But the manor park was once famous for its exquisite antique statues. At the same time, the sculptures were not sold or destroyed, they were disposed of very sophisticatedly. Some were immured in the walls, some were sunk to the bottom of the pond. Isn't it strange? According to some legends that go around in abundance in these places, the new owners were very frightened by the fact that the statues had the ability to come to life at night.
And again, so people say, but since then Bruce began to take great revenge on the new owners of his land. Appeared to them at night in the form of a disembodied spirit, creaks and groans were heard in the corridors, all in the tradition of English ghost stories. The new owner and the hostess had to move to live in the farthest corner of the house.
Today, lovers of mysticism still flock to the building of the estate, some vacationers on the territory of the sanatorium, which is now located there, they say that the count can still be seen now. But it is difficult to judge how true these stories are. The estate of Jacob Bruce in Glinka still keeps many secrets and secrets.
Cabinet of Curious Things
Jakov Bruce, the "warlock", was also a polyglot, not without reason he was listed at the court and performed diplomatic functions there. He was fluent in six foreignlanguages. And in Russian (Russian was not his native language), he spoke without any accent.
At the end of the 17th century, Peter the Great, as you know, organized the Great Embassy to European countries. More than two hundred people took part in this trip, mostly young people who were supposed to comprehend sciences and crafts, especially maritime affairs. In addition, the king ordered the purchase of equipment and the hiring of various craftsmen and craftsmen. Count Bruce, young Peter personally summons, while in Holland. He needed an earl for his upcoming trip to England, because Bruce knew languages \u200b\u200band was very well aware of the rules of etiquette at the English court. But Bruce arrives very late, besides, he looks extremely painful, his hand was covered in burns, and the phalanges of his fingers were fused after numerous fractures. The reason for this was a quarrel at court with the head of the secret order. It was he who ordered to torture the talented scientist Bruce with a red-hot iron. Peter became so angry that, according to the descriptions of his contemporaries, it was impossible to appease his anger. He wrote to Romodanovsky, in a letter he was openly angry with the head of the secret order. This proves how much he appreciated the work and personality of Yakov Vilimovich.
His brainchild was the “curiosity office”, which had no equal in the whole country. It was a real museum of all kinds of rarities at home. After the count died, it was decided to move his "office" to the most famous museum in Russia of that time - the Kunstkamera.
Architectural featureshomesteads
This estate can rightly be called the oldest in the entire suburbs. The estates of the Moscow region are generally an interesting sight, but this place is truly special. The building of Bruce's house has been preserved in excellent condition, so it will be very interesting for a tourist to visit those places. Outside, the Glinka estate is very typical of its time, it is an elegant and luxurious baroque (although there were unusual features for such a style). But the interior design will surprise even an experienced traveler. The fact is that Yakov Bruce (the Glinka estate and its maintenance did not interest him too much) always considered himself not so much a landowner as a man of science. Almost every room of the huge house was turned into a laboratory or an office for scientific work. It was there that he did research in the field of physics, chemistry, mathematics, natural science, astronomy, and so on. All his money, and the earl had a decent salary, he preferred to spend on equipment, books, research instruments, and the like. This, perhaps, explains why at that time everyone considered the master to be abnormal, and some even attributed magical abilities to him. For his eyes, he received many nicknames, but most of all, the Unsociable nobleman took root.
Of course, sorcerer! And who else will be able to take and freeze all the ponds on one summer day, when according to all signs there should have been sweltering heat? And then put on outlandish devices on your feet and ride on frozen water? And the view of the main building, perhaps, only reinforcedpeasant opinion on this matter. Bruce was originally from Scotland, perhaps because the first floor of his house is very reminiscent of a Scottish medieval castle, it is all trimmed with gray hewn stones. This gave the building a slightly ominous air, and to some, the hewn cobblestones in the dark looked like the terrible muzzles of demonic creatures.
In general, the Glinka estate was created in the baroque style, the richest and most luxurious, which came to Russia from hot Italy. Absolute symmetry, even in the appearance and location of outbuildings, a magnificent park area with a pond in the center and ancient statues that met those walking along the paved paths. They resembled heroes from ancient Greek legends, Bruce was very fond of art in all its manifestations. But what happened to the statues, you already know.
True, the building itself was also seriously damaged. The fact is that in those places there was a strong fire in the 19th century, it was not possible to completely save the building, only Bruce's pantry and laboratory were preserved in their original form. Everything else you can only see as a reconstruction.
Count's House
The Glinka estate belongs to the palace and park type of architectural art. Walking along it, you can see two stone complexes that have survived to this day. One can be called front, and the other - economic. The front complex includes three outbuildings, as well as the main building - the count's house. The economic territory is not so interesting, as it underwent many reconstructions in its time.
Househard to say big. For a noble estate, it has very modest dimensions; it has a rectangular shape at the base. The house, although elegant in design, is very restrained in decoration for the classical baroque. Of the decorations, there are only arched portals, pilasters, drawings on the architraves. In addition, you can see the demon-like shapes carved on the stones of the first floor. On the second floor there are open loggias, where the count liked to breathe the air and admire the starry sky at night. The roof seems to be supported by rows of slender columns, and all this beauty is crowned by a small wooden tower, where the count made his astronomical discoveries.
Bruce's Lab
From what has come down to us in its original form, the so-called Bruce's Laboratory obviously stands out, it is also customary to call it Petrovsky's house. This is exactly where the tourist needs to go first of all, since the spectacle is very entertaining. In fact, this is a small pavilion that complements the manor space. With decorativeness, it is very reminiscent of what you could see in Peterhof. Arched niches along the perimeter of the outer walls have preserved space for statues, snow-white pilasters and capitals.
They are not allowed inside now, and it is not worth striving to go there, perhaps, since everything valuable from this laboratory, as mentioned earlier, was taken to St. Petersburg, to the Kunstkamera museum complex.
Sanatorium "Monino"
Today, the entire territory occupied by the Glinka estate in Monino,belongs to the sanatorium. Here is a magnificent nature, the institution perfectly organized recreation and medical procedures. Therefore, you can visit the estate not only as a tourist, thirsting for new knowledge and impressions, but also as a vacationer. The places here are truly wonderful.
The west wing of the complex is now given over to a museum dedicated to the life and work of Count Bruce J. V. It functions only one day a week, on Sunday, from ten o'clock in the morning.
Location
It's not that far to go from the capital, only fifty kilometers. Finding the estate is very simple: just turn to Monino, driving along the Gorky highway, then drive through Losino-Petrovsky, and then follow the signs specially placed by the administration of the sanatorium. You definitely won't get lost.
Coordinates
Address: Manor "Glinki", Moscow region, Schelkovsky district, Losino-Petrovsky.
It will only take about an hour to drive from Moscow, if you do not stand in a traffic jam. A fixed-route taxi runs to the village of Losino-Petrovsky. From there, getting to the territory of the sanatorium is not at all difficult.
