Russian Philanthropist Yury Nechaev-Maltsov and his Homestead

Nechaev-Maltsov homestead in Polibino

There were always people in Russia and in other countries who devoted their lives to society. One of them was Yury Nechaev-Maltsov, Russian philanthropist and manufacturer. 

Yury Nechaev-Maltsov did a lot for the country, for example gave money for building Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow. He also opened first museum of the Battle of Kulikovo in his own house. Yury Nechaev-Maltsov always cared about people who were around him. When starvation in neighboring village broke out, he supplied people with food. After the problem was sold Nechaev-Maltsov built Dmitry Solunsky church in Beresovka village.

Today I am going to talk about homestead of Nechaev-Maltsov in Polibino, Lipetsk region. He was born here and did everything for flourishing his house and Polibino in general. Yury Nechaev-Maltsov was one of the richest Russian people before the Revolution. Such writers as  Leo Tolstoy,  Anna Ahmatova, artists as Ilia Glazunov, Ivan Ivazovsky, Vasiliy Polenov often visited him in Polibino. They walked along the park and lived here.

Nechaev-Maltsov homestead in Polibino

The center of the homestead is a large house. It was built under architect Vasiliy Bazhenov. Except the house there are English park and pond. One of the most interesting things here is the Shuhov tower. It was called in honor of its constructor – genius engineer Vladimir Shuhov. He built it for XVI All-Russian Industrial and Art Exhibition in 1896. There the water-pressure construction was bought by Yury Nechaev-Maltsov. It was delivered in parts and assembled in the homestead.

Shuhov tower

Shuhov tower

Shuhov tower

Very similar construction you can see in Moscow. I mean famous Shabolovskaya TV tower that was also by Vladimir Shuhov constructed.

Unfortunately the Shuhov tower in Polibino is not used now. The construction became dilapidated. Now it needs renovation.

After the Revolution the homestead and all manufactures were nationalized. The house of Yury Nechaev-Maltsov was used as a dormitory, soviet club, etc. Now the homestead is protected by the state, but it needs large-scale reconstruction. Visitors can only enjoy exterior of the house, Shuhov tower and the pond with geese.

Polibino pond