Gorki Leninskiye: Manor Park and Lenin’s History

• The manor park is divided into a formal upper section on the flat plateau behind the main house and a lower landscape park by the riverbank.
• A round spring-fed pond and a large hillside meadow define the landscape park; the Turovka forms its natural lower boundary. A second pond with a cascade was created along the river.
• Fifty-nine Vyatichi burial mounds have been preserved in the upper park. The Vyatichi lived there from the 12th century until the beginning of the 13th century.
• The museum reserve’s collection includes the world’s only half-track Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. It was acquired in England in autumn 1922 for V. I. Lenin, who used it during the final years of his life.

The upper and lower parts of the park offer a striking contrast: the formal section lies on the flat plateau behind the main house, while the lower landscape park slopes steeply down to the riverbank. The round spring-fed pond and a large hillside meadow define the landscape park. The Turovka marks its natural lower boundary; a second pond with a cascade was created along the river. Thus, a spring-fed pond beside a meadow and another pond featuring a waterfall design sit alongside one another as distinct elements.

The 59 preserved burial mounds in the upper part of the park point to the Vyatichi, who lived there from the 12th century until the beginning of the 13th century. Burial mounds are grave mounds; their number and clearly identified historical context give the park an archaeological dimension as well as a landscape one.

Another historical trace can be found in the vehicle collection of the Gorki Leninskiye State Historical Museum Reserve: its collection includes the world’s only half-track Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. The vehicle was acquired in England in autumn 1922 for V. I. Lenin. He used it during the final years of his life. Its model, conversion and use bring automotive history together with Lenin’s history in this particular object.

A system of cross-shaped avenues was laid out in the formal park section, defining routes for walks on foot and on horseback. This layout is part of the park’s historic design. Special architectural features are also recorded in the landscape park: two rotunda pavilions in the style of the 18th-century “Milovidy” were built on its hilltops. A grotto was created above the spring that feeds the round pond.

Leninsky District also has its own natural and cultural attractions. The Vidnoye Forest Park in Vidnoye covers 259.9 hectares; birch, pine, oak, aspen and larch trees define its vegetation. In Ostrov, the architecture of the Church of the Transfiguration combines Old Russian, Italian and Northern European motifs, and the church houses a small museum. The Museum of the Catherine Monastery focuses on the history of Russian monasticism and traditional Russian folk life. These regional attractions have a different focus from Gorki Leninskiye’s manor park and Lenin history.

Discover more destinations: Aparinki, Korobovo, Rumyantsevo, Kartino, Kartmazovo, Vnukovo, Moskowski, Misaylovo.

Where are the Vyatichi burial mounds?

The 59 preserved burial mounds are located in the upper park of Gorki Manor. The Vyatichi lived there from the 12th century until the beginning of the 13th century.

What is known about the Silver Ghost in the museum reserve?

The collection includes the world’s only half-track Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. It was acquired in England in autumn 1922 for V. I. Lenin, who used it during the final years of his life.

What historic features define the park’s design?

In the formal park section, cross-shaped avenues defined routes for walks on foot and on horseback. Two rotunda pavilions in the style of the 18th-century “Milovidy” were built in the landscape park; a grotto was created above the spring feeding the round pond.

Go to the main travel overview: Leninsky District.