Alexander Pushkin's friend during difficult days, his kind and caring nanny, lived a long and challenging life. This serf woman was able to give the poet the warmth and care he lacked in his family.

Ariana Rodionovna became the heroine of three of Pushkin's poems and left behind numerous written memories. Because of this, she appears in the minds of descendants as an almost maternal figure of a fairy-tale village grandmother. Although the exact location of her burial is unknown, her memory is lovingly preserved in an old wooden cottage in the village of Kobrino in the Leningrad region.

A Gift for the Serf

Ariana Rodionovna was born on April 10 (21), 1758, into a family of serfs, where she had six siblings. At that time, the land and villages belonged to Fyodor Apraksin, an officer of the Semenovsky regiment. A year later, the property was purchased by Pushkin's great-grandfather, Ibrahim Hannibal, who served at the court of Peter I.

She arrived in the village after marrying in 1781. The poet's grandmother, Maria Alexeyevna, took the lively and resourceful girl into her home. Thus, the simple peasant woman first became the wet-nurse for her daughter, Nadezhda, and later for her grandchildren: Olga, Alexander, and Lev Pushkin.

For her faithful service, Maria Hannibal arranged for Ariana Rodionovna to have her own little house built in Kobrino. Today, this place has become a monument to a simple Russian woman.

The Rescue of the Kobrin Cottage

The small peasant house from the 18th century miraculously survived. Until the 1950s, relatives of Pushkin's nanny lived here. After they moved to Leningrad, the house began to deteriorate. It was saved by a local teacher, Natalia Nyrkova, who bought the cottage and maintained it.

How the Cottage Became a Pushkin Museum

On July 3, 1974, the dream of the village teacher came true: a museum dedicated to Pushkin's nanny opened in the old cottage. The creation of the exhibition involved local villagers, local historians, and staff from the All-Russian Pushkin Museum.

With the efforts of the Kobrino residents, the house was restored, and the collection was expanded. Soon, the original furnishings of the 18th-century peasant house were restored. The museum houses a bag made from towels that belonged to Pushkin's nanny.

Old-fashioned Life

The museum is arranged as it would be in a peasant family of the 18th century. Almost the entire room is taken up by a Russian stove, and wooden benches line the walls. Much attention is given to handicrafts: Ariana Rodionovna often spun, wove, and knitted. In the museum, you can see bobbins, spinning wheels, knitting needles, and sewing kits. She taught this craft to the maidens.

Bunches of field herbs hang from the ceiling, creating the atmosphere of an old cottage. There is pottery, a stout samovar, clothing and fabrics, bast shoes, a light with a wick, and other items. In the hallway, you can see old tools: rakes, hoes, and sickles.

Inside, everything is arranged to create an atmosphere of peace and comfort. A cradle rocks, the wind hums, and the floorboards have warmed up. Everything indicates that the owners will return soon.

Fact:

Unfortunately, over time, Ariana Rodionovna's house has deteriorated. The walls have almost completely rotted. During the last restoration, the log structure had to be replaced, with only the ceiling beam remaining. A surviving wall has been separately installed in the yard.

The Road to Pushkin's Fairy Tales

Museum staff tell about the nanny's biography and her contribution to Pushkin's upbringing. In the yard, there is a museum of wooden sculpture: here is the bird Sirin, bears, and a learned cat. Swings have been installed, and a souvenir shop operates.

All sculptures are created by graduates and students of the Stieglitz Academy of Art and Design.

A Joyful Meeting with Pushkin

The house-museum is not just a collection of old things. Here, visitors learn about Pushkin's work and biography. Next to the museum, there is a stage for concerts and festivals. An excursion called "Visiting the Nanny" has been developed, along with interactive programs and quests. Workshops on handicrafts and matryoshka painting are held.

This house in the old village of the Leningrad region is the best place to introduce children and adults to Pushkin's work and the history of his nanny. Here, one can relax in nature and gain new impressions.