Can you visit the poet's house? Of course, if you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of creativity of Alexander Alexandrovich Blok, a classic of 20th-century Russian literature. To do this, just head to the Shakhmatovo estate in the Moscow region, where the great poet visited throughout his life.

Shakhmatovo is located in the Sолнечногорский district of the Moscow region, not far from the village of Tarakanovo. In 1874, this estate was acquired by the poet's grandfather, the renowned botanist Andrei Nikolaevich Beketov. He took an interest in the estate on the advice of his friend, chemist Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleev, who lived nearby in the Boblovo estate.

Previously, Shakhmatovo was part of a noble estate mentioned in documents since the mid-18th century. Andrei Nikolaevich acquired not just land, but a whole complex of buildings, including a house, a wing, a carriage shed, and a kitchen.

Literary scholars note that Blok's works often contain memories of Shakhmatovo. The estate served as the summer residence of the Beketov-Blok family, where they spent time from May to September. Little Sasha, as he was called in the family, came here to visit his grandfather, who introduced him to the rich plant life of the Moscow region. Together they explored the surroundings, studying plants. It can be assured that the scientist participated in creating the garden at the estate, and every tree here has memorial significance.

Upon entering the estate, guests saw the wing with a covered gallery and four rooms. Here, little Sasha Blok lived with his mother and nanny until he was three years old. Later, after his marriage, he settled here with his wife, Lyubov Dmitrievna Mendeleeva, the daughter of the famous chemist.

From the Mendeleev estate, Lyubov Dmitrievna brought two elms that still grow in the garden. The newlyweds also built a turf sofa, which they called "canape" in honor of Bolotov's poem. Today, sitting on it is prohibited. Blok created the garden to his taste, and we can stroll along its winding paths.

In the wing, the room of little Sashenka Blok has been restored with toys and a manuscript of his first poem. Here is also located a bookbinding workshop.

The main house of the estate has not survived in its original form, as it burned down in 1921. Restoration was carried out based on a family chronicle compiled by Blok's mother's sister. The memories contained a detailed description of the estate and a plan of the main house. Today, the house looks as it did in 1910, after the reconstruction carried out by Blok. The poet left the pantry untouched as a reminder of his grandmother's jam. The reconstruction allowed Blok to equip an office where he worked at his father's desk, keeping his wife's letters and his manuscripts.

The facade of the house is adorned with a wide Italian window with multicolored glass. The house recreates the rooms of its former inhabitants. The restoration of Shakhmatovo was facilitated by literary scholar Vladimir Petrovich Enisherlov.

Shakhmatovo is worth visiting for anyone who appreciates the beauty of Russian estates and the creativity of Alexander Blok.