One of the most visited places in the suburbs of Moscow is the Glinka estate, this is one of the oldest architectural monuments of the 18th century. In addition, this place is older than other estates of the Moscow region. These places belonged to nobles by the name of Bruce, who were 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 resign. He was an outstanding person, he loved art, and also was fond of science. The peasants called him a sorcerer.
Jacob Bruce
Almost every contemporary knew this man. He was a native of a Scottish ancient family, but fate threw him to faraway 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 and active Peter. By the way, it was he who rushed to the tsar to help during the Streletsky revolt, and this is what attracted the future emperor. Peter considered Bruce one of the closest associates, they together took part in many battles of the Russian army.
Jacob Bruce was famous at court for his craving for scientific knowledge, he could rightly be called a polymate, since he was interested in almost all scientific disciplines, in many of which he achieved considerable success. For example, he was well versed in tactics and strategy, mastered cannon business, and throughout his life received the honorary title of general-lieutenant-master (that is, head of artillery). It was he who was honored to lead the Berg-i Manufactory College, and he also founded the well-known Navigation School. And, of course, he is known to very many people for creating his own “Bruce calendar”, which very many were guided by, adjusting his way of life for him. And this is only a small fraction of what was done by Count Bruce for imperial Russia.
The estate of Jacob Bruce
It is a pity, but with the followers of Peter, the count did not get a seat at court, although no one insisted on his resignation. Nevertheless, Yakov Bruce is removed from politics, submits a letter of resignation and moves to the estate dear to his heart near Moscow, which he acquired while still young. This estate was pleasantly called Glinka estate. It was not a pity that Bruce left the dank Petersburg, because the estate was located in the very center of natural beauties, and also very close to the ancient Russian capital.
But this is strange: according to the stories of the local population, as well as directly of the inhabitants 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 very fashionable style at that time - Italian Baroque. Stucco molding, golden monograms, symmetry and grace seemed very strange against the background of the Russian birch forest and rickety peasant houses.
Legends and secrets
And besides, he was odd, according to the peasants, the count himself. For example, many of them marveled at his habit of crawling 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 using a bulky pipe. Of course, it is now obvious that the Count was only interested in astronomy, but this was not clear to the peasants.
And therefore, if a drought or a thunderstorm 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 fables the locals did not add up. By the way, the same tales later sounded at court, because the land, as you know, is full of rumors. Either eyewitnesses shared their impressions that Bruce saddled an iron dragon and soared on it under the clouds, then paradise music began to play on the clap of his hands in the park, and it also subsided by his command.
And even when Bruce passed away, his fame hummed for a long time. According to some sources, the restless wizard count even after death wandered around his estate for a long time and scared the new owners or the local population. Strange thing, but those owners who got the estate of Bruce "Glinka", later, 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 sophisticated antique statues. At the same time, the sculptures were not sold or destroyed, they were disposed of very sophisticatedly. Some were walled up in the walls, some were sunk to the bottom of the pond. Isn't it strange? According to some legends, which abound in these places, it was very frightening to the new owners that the statues tended to come to life at night.
And again, people say that, but since then Bruce began to take revenge on the new owners of his land. He appeared to them at night in the form of an incorporeal 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.
To date, lovers of mysticism are still flocking to the manor building, some vacationers on the territory of the sanatorium, which is now located there, say that the count can be seen now. But how true these stories are, it’s hard to judge. The estate of Jacob Bruce in Glinka and now holds many secrets and secrets.
"Cabinet of curious things"
Jacob Bruce, the “warlock”, was also a polyglot, not without reason he was listed at court and carried out diplomatic functions there. He perfectly knew six foreign languages. And in Russian (Russian was not his native language for him), he spoke without any accent.
At the end of the XVII century, Peter the Great, as you know, organized the Great Embassy for European countries. This trip was attended by more than two hundred people, mostly young people who were supposed to learn science and crafts, especially marine business. In addition, the king ordered to purchase equipment and engage in the hiring of various craftsmen and craftsmen. Earl Bruce young Peter personally calls, staying in Holland. He needed a graph for the upcoming trip to England, because Bruce knew the languages very well and was very knowledgeable about the rules of etiquette at the English court. But Bruce arrives very late, besides he looks extremely painful, his hand was all in burns, and the phalanges of his fingers were fused after numerous fractures. The reason for this was a quarrel at the court with the head of the secret order. It was he who ordered to torture the talented scientist Bruce with a hot iron. Peter was so angry that according to the descriptions of his contemporaries, it was impossible to calm his anger. He wrote to Romodanovsky, in a letter he was openly angry at the head of the secret order. This proves how much he appreciated the work and personality of Yakov Vilimovich.
His brainchild was the “cabinet of curious things, ” which was unparalleled throughout the country. It was a real museum of all kinds of rarities at home. After the count died, his "cabinet" was decided to be transferred to the most famous Russian museum of that time - "Kunstkamera".
Architectural features of the estate
This estate can rightly be called the oldest in the whole Moscow region. The estates of the Moscow region are generally an interesting sight, but this place is truly special. The building of Bruce’s house was preserved in excellent condition, because it will be very interesting for a tourist to visit those places. Outside, the Glinka estate is very typical of its time, it is refined 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 Jacob Bruce (the Glinka estate and its contents did not occupy him too much) always considered himself not so much a landowner as a man of science. Almost every room in a huge house was turned into a laboratory or office for scientific work. It was there that he was engaged in research in the fields of physics, chemistry, mathematics, science, astronomy, and so on. All his money, and the count was decent, he preferred to spend on equipment, books, research instruments and the like. This, perhaps, explains why the master at that time everyone considered abnormal, and some even attributed magical abilities to him. He received many nicknames for his eyes, but most of all the unsociable nobleman took root.
Of course, the sorcerer! And who else will be able on one summer day, when by all indications there should have been sweltering heat, take and freeze all the ponds? And then put on outlandish gadgets on your feet and ride on frozen water? And the view of the main building, perhaps, only reinforced the opinion of the peasants in this regard. Bruce was originally from Scotland, perhaps because the first floor of his house resembles a Scottish medieval castle, it is all trimmed with hewn stones of a gray hue. This gave the building a slightly sinister appearance, and to some, the hewn cobblestones in the dark seemed like scary faces 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 farm buildings, a magnificent park area with a pond in the center and antique statues that were greeted by people walking along 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 also suffered very seriously. 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 the pantry and Bruce's laboratory were preserved in their original form. Everything else you can see only in the form of reconstruction.
Count House
Manor "Glinka" refers to the palace and park form of architectural art. Walking along it, you can see two stone complexes that have survived to this day. One can be called ceremonial, and the other - economic. Three outbuildings belong to the front complex, as well as the main building - the count's house. The economic territory is not so interesting, since it underwent many reconstructions at the time.
The house is hardly big. For a noble estate, it has very modest dimensions, at the base it has a rectangular shape. The house, although elegant in design, is very restrained in decoration for the classical Baroque. Of the ornaments, there are only arched portals, pilasters, drawing on platbands. In addition, you can see 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 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 with a small turret made of wood, where the count made his astronomical discoveries.
Bruce Lab
From what has come down to us in its original form, the so-called Bruce Laboratory clearly stands out, it is still customary to call it the Petrovsky House. This is where the tourist needs to go first thing, as the sight is very entertaining. In fact, this is a small pavilion, which complements the estate space. By decorativeness, it is very reminiscent of what you could see in Peterhof. Arched niches around the perimeter of the outer walls have saved space for statues, snow-white pilasters and capitals.
They’re not letting them in now, and you shouldn’t try to go there, as everything valuable from this laboratory, as mentioned earlier, was taken to St. Petersburg, to the Kunstkamera museum complex.
Sanatorium "Monino"
To date, the entire territory occupied by the Glinka estate in Monino belongs to the sanatorium. There is magnificent nature, the institution is perfectly organized relaxation and medical procedures. Therefore, you can visit the estate not only as a tourist, eager for new knowledge and impressions, but also as a vacationer. The places here are truly wonderful.
The western wing of the complex is now given over to a museum dedicated to the life and work of Count Bruce Y. V. It operates only one day a week, on Sunday, from ten in the morning.
Location
It’s not so far to go from the capital, only fifty kilometers. Finding a homestead is very simple: just turn onto Monino, driving along the Gorky Highway, then drive through Losino-Petrovsky, and then follow the signs, which are specially arranged by the administration of the sanatorium. You definitely won’t get lost.
