Penza region > Tarkhany

Tarkhany

Lermontov's culture-preserve "Tarkhany"

Tarkhany in Penza region is a homeland of the great Russian poet Michael Yuryevich Lermontov.Here, in his grandmother's estate, he spent childhood after the mother's death. Here, to a patrimonial estate in Tarkhany, he used to come to get inspiration from beauty of the local nature. Here the poet created such masterpieces as "Circassians", "Two brothers", "The dying gladiator". Old residents say that it was in Tarkhany where Lermontov heard a legend about a fire serpent, under the impression from which he wrote the famous poem "Demon". According to a local legend, an evil spirit used to come to one of the peasant women. The spirit looking like a serpent with a fire tale was seen to fly into the chimney. A priest was called to consecrate the house. And the serpent coming here next night could not disturb the woman. Desperately howling, it scorched a corner of the log hut with its tail and flew away. It was never seen since then.

The estate includes the house of Lermontov's grandmother E.A. Arsenyeva, housekeeper's house, the church of Maria the Egyptian, folk's izba. Green theater and family vault, where the remains of the great poet are kept. With Lermontov here his mother, grandfather and grandmother, who brought up the poet, are also buried. It is known that E.A. Arsenyeva had no special sympathy of her son-inlaw, that is why the remains of the father of the poet were put here only in 1974, and finally the family reunited. The depth of the family drama is shown in epitaph of Lermontov, inscribed on his father's headstone.

Here it is possible to plunge into the nobility manor atmosphere of the early 19th century, walk along shady alleys, see the remainders of the redoubt where little Lermontov and rural children's military games took place, pay the last respect to the great poet over his tomb. Tarkhany is also an example of landscape art Accurate brick paths leading along the terraced slopes, orchards and groves ' are laid everywhere. Ponds' cascades are charming and beautiful.

Address: Penza region, Belinsky district, village Lermontovo. Ph.: +7 (8415) 321-203.