In 1899, a famous artist settled in one of the Finnish villages near St. Petersburg. His creative nature required silence and solitude for working on paintings, but the proximity to the Russian capital was also an important factor. Therefore, he chose a small plot by the Gulf of Finland in the village of Kuokkala.

The old dacha has survived much, but still amazes visitors with its unusual architecture. Fans of the artist come here to learn more about his life.

In 1899, after a long search, Ilya Efimovich Repin purchased a plot on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. The beauty of the northern nature inspired him to create. The plot was small, only 2 hectares, but it was enough for a park with alleys, ponds, and Repin's house adorned with carvings to appear on the site of a wasteland.

The estate was named "Penates" in honor of the Roman guardian gods. Repin paid attention to the park's layout, while the house was built chaotically to make it comfortable for the owner to work.

After purchasing the plot, construction began. The first structure was the carved gates. Repin and his wife Natalia Nordman settled here permanently.

The estate's park is worth visiting for everyone, even those far from Repin's creativity. The unusual layout and structures attract tourists. In 1906, the Homer Square with a stage appeared in the park. Pushkin Alley led to an observation tower, from which there was a view of the bay. There were alpine slides, bridges, and paths.

Many structures in the park have not survived. Repin loved guests, which led to his separation from his first wife Vera Alexeyevna, who grew tired of the noisy company.

The park has an artesian well and a pond with lilies. In winter, people skated and played snowballs here. The layout of the estate indicated its entertainment role. Repin is buried here, and his grave has been preserved and restored.

Repin and Nordman's house also surprises. Guests entered a hallway with a brass gong brought from Paris. Here, one can see the artist's suitcase and canes.

Repin's study was unusual, with a large window overlooking the garden. The room contained a writing desk and shelves with books. Here, a creative mess was recreated.

The living room was a meeting place for guests, where dinners and lectures were held. Repin and Nordman aimed to create a people's university. In summer, guests gathered in the garden, while in winter, they met in the living room.

On Wednesdays, meetings were held at the estate that anyone could attend. The idea belonged to Nordman, who led the gatherings.

The winter veranda, or "Veranda of Busts," was one of the first extensions of the house. Here, one can see busts of Pirogov, Tolstoy, and Repin.

The dining room is decorated with the artist's works. The main feature was a table with a rotating mechanism, so guests could serve themselves.

A narrow staircase leads to Repin's workshop on the second floor, done in Russian style. Here, sketches and drawings are stored. The winter workshop had three easels, while the summer one was used for work on sunny days.

In the costume room, clothes for models were stored. Many costumes were sold after Repin's death, but some returned to the museum.

The balcony above the study served as a source of inspiration for Repin. He sometimes slept there in a special bag.

Repin's house was always full of guests. After Nordman's death, the gatherings became simpler. In 1917, Finland became independent, and the estate ended up in another country. In 1940, a museum opened here, but during the war, the estate burned down. After the war, the house was restored, and restorers recreated the atmosphere of the workshops.

Today, the museum-estate "Penates" is a cultural heritage monument and a branch of the Museum of the Russian Academy of Arts. Tours and exhibitions are held here, attracting both connoisseurs and casual visitors.