Who lives well in Russia? Where was Grandfather Mazai born, who saved hares? From where did the Russian woman come, capable of stopping a horse in full gallop and entering a burning house?

Answers to these and other questions are kept at the Karabikha estate in the Yaroslavl region. These lands belonged to the Golitsyn princes since the 18th century, who created a whole estate ensemble with alleys and parks. It was a wonderful place for balls, parties, and hunting. The main house was particularly striking with its grand entrance featuring ramps on high arches, allowing guests to drive up to the second floor in carriages.

Due to economic difficulties, in 1861 the Golitsyns put the estate up for sale. The estate was purchased by poet Nikolai Nekrasov, who transformed it into a summer residence where he spent the next ten years. Here he loved to walk in the mornings with his dogs, play cards with friends in the evenings, and host lavish dinners for guests. In the shade of ancient linden and maple trees, inspiration often visited him.

It was in Karabikha, inspired by local peasant women, that Nekrasov created the composite image of the Russian woman, capable of stopping a horse in full gallop and entering a burning house. Here, observing kindness and compassion towards animals, he wrote "Grandfather Mazai," and then "Who Lives Well in Russia." These works became classics of world literature.

Nekrasov sometimes wrote poetry while sitting on the veranda, admiring nature, and sometimes worked in his study. According to the memoirist Ushakova, the study was distinguished by exquisite luxury, worthy of a noble lord.

Nekrasov last visited Karabikha in 1875. By that time, he was already suffering from intestinal cancer. Sensing his imminent death, he visited his mother's grave in the neighboring village of Abbakumtsevo and inspected the rural school he had founded. In 1918, the estate was nationalized and recognized as a historical monument, but after the Civil War, a state farm named Burlaki was established here.