Published on: 2026-09-10
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The Kuzminki Estate is a gem of Moscow, encompassing around 40 architectural monuments. Its creation involved renowned architects and sculptors — from Ivan Zherebtsov and Matvey Kazakov to Domenico and Alexander Gilardi and Pyotr Klodt. Over its 300 years of history, this unique estate of the Stroganov and Golitsyn families has seen many distinguished guests, including Peter I and Alexander II. Unlike many estates that became museums immediately after the revolution, Kuzminki was occupied for a whole century by the Institute of Experimental Veterinary Science (now the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Veterinary Science named after K.I. Scriabin and Ya.R. Kovalenko). No truly large-scale works were carried out here, yet the ensemble remained a favorite leisure spot for Muscovites. Sergey Sobyanin shared how the estate’s restoration is progressing in his blog.
“In 2024, we began the first comprehensive restoration in the last 100 years of the estate, the park, and the ponds. The goal is not just to restore Kuzminki to its former beauty, but also to create a comfortable modern space here. The program already includes more than 30 architectural monuments, and six of them have been completely restored,” wrote the Mayor of Moscow.
The first objects were two grottos, then the Round (Lion) pier was put in order, the bathhouse was restored, work on the smithy was completed, the bridge with griffins was put in order and the ornate lanterns were returned to their historical places, as well as the fence near the clergy house was restored.
Restoration is currently underway on 15 sites, four of which are expected to be completed by the end of the year. These include the eastern and western wings in the manor courtyard. In both buildings, the main part of the work restoring the facades and interiors has already been completed. Specialists carefully cleaned and renewed the white-stone plinth, parapets, and steps. In the western wing, parquet flooring is currently being laid and stucco is being painted, while in the eastern wing, the installation of windows, doors, and staircases is being finished, the interior decoration is being recreated, and the plaster decor is being restored to its original place.
“The main pride of the project is the four famous lion sculptures that adorned the entrances. They have already been fully restored in restoration workshops and returned to their historical places to guard the estate,” noted Sergey Sobyanin.
Laundry building and wooden wing
The restoration of the laundry building (No. 5) on Topolevaya Alley is almost complete. Specialists carefully restored the white stone details of the facade — from the porch and plinth to the inter-floor cornice and window sills with decorative teeth. The damaged blocks of the porch parapet were dismantled and partially replaced, the shaped brackets above the entrance and the roofing were repaired, and the historical window openings on the first floor, previously bricked up, were uncovered. Now the craftsmen are reaching the final stage: finishing the floors, installing doors and stairs.
The wooden wing (No. 6) on Topolevaya Alley also required meticulous work.
“We completely cleaned the facades of old plaster, and the logs of the wooden structure from traces of a long-ago fire. The damaged elements of the structure and rafters were preserved and carefully supplemented by the prosthetics method, the facade was sheathed and the white stone plinth was put in order,” said the Mayor of Moscow.
Currently, specialists are installing ceiling cornices, doors, and wooden porches.
The servant corps in Slobodka and the Orange dacha
Another monument currently undergoing restoration work is the servant quarters in Slobodka, where estate workers once lived. The restorers have already cleared the facades of several layers of coatings, and are currently repairing the brickwork and restoring the white stone porches. At the same time, the building is being prepared for a new life: modern engineering networks are being installed and rough floors are being laid.
The orange pavilion on the shore of the Upper Kuzminsky Pond was built in the early 19th century as an orangery for growing exotic citrus fruits.
“For a long time the house was not used and became severely dilapidated. The restorers remounted the rafter system from scratch, reinforced the foundations. Right now, work is underway to plaster the facades. At the same time, specialists are preparing to restore the white stone plinth, the wooden fence of the belvedere tower, the chimney pipes, and the stucco,” wrote Sergey Sobyanin.
A separate, very complex task is the rescue of a unique two-tier chandelier with lotus-shaped candle holders. Due to soot, cracks, and layers of paint, the antique lamp made of plaster and papier-mâché has become severely deformed. Specialists will completely clean the structure, strengthen the preserved decor, recreate lost details with bronze-like painting, and return the chandelier to its historic place in the octagonal hall.
Cattle and Red Yards
The restoration of another relatively little-known estate object has begun — a livestock yard consisting of two buildings and a fence. Until 1978 (almost 100 years), a hospital was located on its site, but for the last half-century, the buildings have been empty. Currently, restorers are reinforcing the soil under the foundation and restoring the damaged brickwork on the site. The rafter system has already been installed.
“Extensive work has begun at the Red Court — the estate’s utility complex, where specialists need to restore six historical buildings at once. Currently, five of them are under renovation,” specified Sergey Sobyanin.
The focus is on a long building consisting of two wings, which received a second floor and the name “Soedinenie” during the Soviet era. Specialists are now dismantling the later partitions and finishing elements.
The left wing, built by Alexander Gilliardi in the 1830s, is also awaiting transformation.
South wing, right wing, and Egyptian cottage
The main work front has unfolded in the southern wing (the cellar building). Here, the dismantling of old ceilings is nearly complete, the rafter system has been installed, brickwork cleaning is underway, stucco and plaster on the facades are being cleared. Ahead lies the restoration of lost details: cornices, pediments, chimney stacks, and dormer windows.
In the right wing, preparations for restoration are also underway — dismantling of late partitions and finishing elements.
“The Egyptian house is a one-story building in the Empire style with Egyptian motifs in the facade design, such as the head of a sphinx on the pediment. Its restoration literally became a rescue operation, as before the start of work the building was in a state of emergency,” said the Mayor of Moscow.
Specialists have already dismantled the late Soviet partitions and tiles, restored the rafters, and completed the waterproofing of the foundations. Outside, restorers will put in order the white-stone plinth, cornices, dormer windows on the roof, and light wells; they will restore the ancient stucco and the floor at the main entrance, as well as provide convenient access for visitors with limited mobility. Inside, they will reinforce the brickwork, replace windows and doors, and recreate metal hardware — handles and hinges — based on surviving examples.
House on the dam and stable
The house on the dam is currently being prepared for restoration. Soon, they will begin dismantling the late partitions and finishes from the post-Soviet period.
Seven structures in the estate’s stable yard are to be restored at once: the riding arena, the northern and southern stables, two wings, the fence, as well as the music pavilion with Peter Clodt’s equestrian sculptures. Specialists have already reinforced the roof, cleared the sculptures, and cleaned the facades of the wings.
“The revival of such iconic historical ensembles as Kuzminki is a tribute to the past and at the same time a contribution to the future of our beloved city. We are returning to Muscovites unique public spaces that will be filled with history, culture, and new life,” emphasized Sergey Sobyanin.
This extensive work addresses key tasks related to preserving historical heritage and creating a comfortable, high-quality urban environment for every resident.
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