Manor of Rastorguev-Kharitonov, Ekaterinburg: description, history and interesting facts

Rastorguev-Kharitonov Manor is not only an interesting architectural memorial, but also a building with its unique history, which includes many myths, legends and interesting facts. This house is considered to be almost the most valuable heritage of the city of Yekaterinburg. In addition, at one time it was of federal importance. This beautiful estate is located in the heart of the city in the Kirov district on the street, which bears the name of Karl Liebknecht. Ascension Hill can be rightfully proud of this landmark.

Manor of the late 18th century

Looking behind the screen of history, you can be sure that all the really exciting buildings were erected before the twentieth century. And the Kharitonov-Rastorguev Manor (Yekaterinburg) is no exception. Its construction began in the eighteenth century, namely in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five. It is noteworthy that simultaneously with the estate began to build and the Ascension Church. The construction of the buildings was finally and solemnly completed in the early nineteenth century. Architect Malakhov invested literally the whole soul in the construction of this beautiful house, which is known as the Kharitonov-Rastorguev Manor in Yekaterinburg. Some facts indicate that it was with his light hand in the middle of the nineteenth century that a magnificent garden was planted at the estate. The original owner of the house is considered to be the provincial secretary - Isakov, however, unfortunately, he died without seeing with his own eyes even the completion of construction work.

New owners of the estate

His widowed wife was so overcome with grief that she did not find the strength to continue building a fashionable house. Without thinking twice, she sold an unfinished apartment complex to a merchant known to the area - Lev Ivanovich Rastorguev. Apparently the scale of the estate seemed to him too modest, since he immediately gave the order for expansion. In addition, two houses were built, including a two-storey wing and a greenhouse.

Upon completion of the construction Rastorguyev decided to strengthen the family ties, and the estate became the property of his son-in-law Kharitonov. This is how the official name of the Rastorguev-Kharitonov estate got its official name.

Expansion of the territory

The farmstead of Rastorguev-Kharitonov in Yekaterinburg was famous for its gardens. The son-in-law of the famous merchant decided not to be modest and continued to buy up adjacent land. It was decided to expand the garden, which now began to occupy more than nine hectares and be called "English". The bizarre trees brought from afar and other park constructions made it unique and inimitable, especially by the standards of the nineteenth century.

A few years later, a wasteland nearby was included in the family property. Some buildings, including wings, were interconnected by one-story transitions, which made it possible to travel from house to house without leaving the street. It was very convenient, especially in cold rainy weather or in winter.

Mysterious cellars

Of particular interest to historians, and simply curious tourists are the cellars of the majestic building. For a long time they were covered with a veil of fear and mystery. Legends say that the rebels were hidden in them for a long time. Some say with certainty that under the estate there is a whole network of dungeons that spreads in all directions far beyond the estate. However, the probability of this finding is negligible.

And again without a master

Thousand eight hundred and thirty-seventh year was a turning point for Kharitonov in his life. The emperor issued a decree on the eviction of the owner of the estate in Kexholm. The reason for this was Kharitonov's accusation of brutal treatment of his workers. Since then everything has changed a lot. Since he did not have any successors, Kharitonov-Rastorguev's estate was emptied, and eventually some of its parts began to be used as rented premises. There, many began to rent apartments and work offices.

Imprint of communism on the estate

Then came the time of the revolution, and for some time the Red Guard detachments were stationed, and then the university also worked. The building was multifunctional and was suitable for almost everything, and after it became the property of the state, sessions and congresses of the Socialist Union were held there. In honor of such events was renamed and the area, which later was called Komsomolskaya.

Legends of the old building

One thousand nine hundred and twenty-fourth year opened the curtain of mystery, which was cast by the estate of Rastorguev-Kharitonovs. In the park near the main entrance to the palace there was a collapse, as a result of which, a tunnel opened into the dungeon. After a couple of decades, workers cleaned the pond and found a hole with a passage that stretched twenty meters into the depths. These exciting findings confirmed the then-current rumors about the famous dungeons that were built under the manor. Such failures occurred as a result of the obsolescence of both the building itself and the structures around it. Against the background of these events in the nineteenth century, it was decided to undertake a capital restoration of the estate with a view to its further use.

Some of the works were really done, but unfortunately, at present the complex is not in the most satisfactory condition. The facade was really renovated, but here the plaster and paint fall away. According to some reports, this was caused by gross violations in operation. The Ministry of Culture paid special attention to the fact that the property of Rastorguev-Kharitonov is today. Measures were taken, and illegal construction of brick structures on the territory of the architectural and historical memorial was stopped.

Manor of Rastorguev-Kharitonov: an architectural monument

Appearance of the estate was quite typical for the first half of the nineteenth century, and the style of construction can be called classic. The farmstead of Rastorguev-Kharitonov (Ekaterinburg) is located at the intersection of two streets, that is, it has an angular location. This gives it a majestic look and opens a review a couple of blocks ahead. A special pride of the whole estate can be called the park. Its gardens and avenues form a beautiful spectacle and are perfectly combined with an artificial lake and rotunda. Some trees in the park are more than two hundred years old, and they are the oldest in the whole city. This place can rightly be proud of Yekaterinburg. Rastorguev-Kharitonov Manor, the description of which was cited above, is a real diamond, representing a cultural value.

But the antiquity in the estate does not only blow from the trees. Old legends about the family Rastorguev are of considerable interest for fans of history and culture. There is a myth that the Earl so much wanted to build fabulous dungeons in his palace, that he turned to the architect for help, who was serving his sentence in penal servitude at that time. He immediately attracted him to the implementation of his plan, and in return promised early release. As it turned out, after the end of the grandiose but secret work, the Count never gave the architect the promised freedom. He was returned to penal servitude in Tobolsk, where he hanged himself from despair. It's hard not to call this act mean, even in relation to a convict. The circumstances of his death deeply excited the public, and even after a long time there were rumors that because of this on the estate one by one began to pour disaster. One of them is the alleged death of one of the Count's daughters. Unrequited love and a broken heart prompted her to go and drown herself in the park pond. The tragic end ... However, let's not forget that this is no more than a guess, because to date there are facts that indicate that the daughter of Rastorgueva lived a long enough life and stayed in the city even after their husbands were exiled to Keksburg.

These are just a few of the stories from the long list of myths and legends that the Kharitonov-Rastorguev estate (Yekaterinburg) is famous for. Excursions, which are regularly arranged on the grounds of the estate, can tell a lot about the culture and life of people, in particular, noblemen in the period of nascent feudalism.