History
Stalin's summer cottage in Sochi, built in 1937, is a real architectural monument of the Stalin era in our country. This historical site was a residence where he rested and treated his joints. The springs of Matsesta, known for their healing properties, helped improve his health.
“New Matsesta” in Sochi is considered one of Stalin's favorite dachas, along with the Middle Dacha in Moscow's Kuntsevo. In addition to it, there were also villas of the leader in Abkhazia, Moscow, Moscow region, Lipki and other places. The leader began to come to Sochi not only to relax with his family and improve his health, but also for work - members of the government and foreign leaders were his guests here.
Initially, he stayed in a large mansion built before the revolution by a Russian industrialist Mikhail Zenzinov. The leader came here annually, staying from late summer to mid-fall.
The mansion is located at an altitude of 160 meters above sea level, which creates a comfortable microclimate. The average temperature here is 4-5 degrees lower than on the coast, and the humidity is not as harsh. This area is famous for the fact that there are streams of cold mountain air and warm masses coming from the sea, which makes the climate pleasant and not stuffy. And also from this height there is a magnificent view of the Black Sea.
In 1936, architect Miron Merzhanov rebuilt the building taking into account Stalin's wishes. In 1951, the complex construction began again: the one-story buildings were added a second floor. After the death of the leader, the dacha was included in the sanatorium “Zelenaya Roscha”, where high-ranking Soviet officials came for vacations.
The interiors of the rooms have been well preserved, and in the early 2000s a museum was opened on the territory, which tells about the life and activities of one of the most controversial leaders of the USSR.
A tour of Stalin's dacha: what you can see
Garden and territory
Surrounded by greenery, the territory is a separate Sochi landmark. Already outside the gate you can see tall palm trees and green trees decorating the place. The inner courtyard of the park is a place for strolling, from where you can see the incredible landscape of the Black Sea and mountains. A pleasant stroll through the garden will help you feel the atmosphere of the time.
The cottage is painted a dark green color allowing it to blend in with the surrounding landscape, which was done specifically for safety. These green walls have remained in excellent condition for over 90 years and have never had to be repainted.
The second floor balconies used to have a view of the sea, but now the trees have grown up and block the view with their branches. From here you can also see the tower on Mount Akhun, which, according to tour guides, was built on Stalin's personal orders.
Architecture and interior
Architect Miron Merzhanov carefully approached the design of the dacha, understanding that this place of rest should be not only beautiful, but also comfortable. The steps on the stairs were made two centimeters lower than the standard ones (15 centimeters instead of 17 centimeters), so that it was easier for Stalin to go up and down, considering his bad joints.
The main feature of the cottage is its mixture of classical and modernist styles. In the interior of the rooms you can see expensive materials such as marble, stained glass windows and the use of more than eight different types of wood. The furnishings of Stalin's office, where he received statesmen, attracts special attention. Mountain crystal was used for glazing, which did not allow UV light to pass through, keeping the building cool even on the hottest days.
The interior was also minimalist: there were no carpets in the house. Most of the large pieces of furniture such as cupboards, tables and sideboards are authentic and have been preserved since the building was built and can still be seen in the museum.
Stalin's Personal Space
During the tour, guests will be able to see the personal belongings of Stalin, his office, and the bedroom where he rested from state affairs.
An outdoor swimming pool was specially built for Stalin. The pool was finished with walnut oak and filled with sea water on demand. Next to the pool is a recreation room, where the politician often spent time after bathing: playing chess or listening to music. Next to it were the office of the chief of security and the room of the officers on duty, which are open for tourists to see.
During the tour visitors can see Joseph Vissarionovich's desk, behind which there is a life-size wax figure of Stalin. On the desk is a silver writing set presented by Mao Zedong, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. The set was specially designed so that Stalin could use it comfortably with one hand, given his problems with his left hand. Next to it stands a narrow wooden bed, a place for the leader to rest, who mostly worked at night. The exhibition includes many photographs of Stalin with his family, children, associates and foreign guests.
One of the buildings has a billiard room with a massive table, the base of which weighs about two and a half tons. The cue that Stalin played with was made to fit his height, and the cue itself was filled with about 700 grams of lead to develop his left hand.
The dacha also houses the guest rooms and bedrooms of Stalin's children, Vasily and Svetlana. The fireplace room, where meetings, celebrations and informal gatherings were often held, has a wooden arched ceiling that amplifies the leader's voice. Stalin spoke softly, but thanks to this feature everyone present could hear every word he said.
How to get to Stalin's dacha in Sochi
How to get to Stalin's dacha in Sochi
The dacha is located on the territory of the sanatorium “Zelenaya Roscha”, in the Khostinsky district of Sochi, at the address: Kurortny Prospekt, 120/1. You can get to the museum in several ways:
- By public transportation: you can get there by buses №2, 105,105c, 125, 125c and 125p to the stop “Sanatorium Zelenaya Roscha”. From the stop to the entrance to the territory you need to walk up the signs to the cottage, which takes about 15-20 minutes. It is better to specify bus routes before the trip.
- By car: drive along Kurortny Avenue to the entrance of the sanatorium checkpoint. There is a parking lot near the dacha.
You can also get there by cab or transfer.
Schedule and cost
The museum is open daily from 9:00 to 18:00, excursions take place every hour.
Ticket price:
- Adults and children over 14 years old - 600 rubles
- Children from 7 to 13 years old - 250 rubles
- Children under 7 years old are free of charge.
An individual guided tour costs 1500 rubles and is designed for a group of 5 people, you need to pay an additional entrance fee for each visitor. To find out the prices for entry and excursion visit the website of the museum.
Useful tips for tourists
- Best time to visit: Summer months are a great time to visit, when you can enjoy not only the excursion, but also beautiful views of the Black Sea, but there are a lot of tourists. The optimal choise is autumn or spring, when there are fewer tourists and the weather allows you to enjoy the beauty of Sochi without heat or frost.
- Duration of the excursion: The excursion usually lasts about an hour.
- What to take with you: Comfortable shoes for walking around the area, a camera to capture the views, and water.
Conclusion
Stalin's Dacha in Sochi is not just a historical place, but also a unique opportunity to see how one of the most influential people of the USSR lived. Visiting the summer residence leaves lasting impressions, allowing you to travel back in time, so any tourist interested in the history of Russia and Sochi should visit this attraction. More information about the museum's schedule and prices can be found on the official website.
If you are interested in visiting Stalin's dacha, we offer you our Legends of Sochi Tour, which includes a visit to the dacha.