Cultural holiday in Russia: The Melihovo Court Museum
The Melihovo Manor Museum, located 80 km from Moscow, is closely associated with the name of the great Russian writer Anton Chekhov. He acquired Melihovo in 1892. During the seven years that Chekhov lived in Melihovo, he built three schools, worked as a volunteer doctor, assisted teachers, raised funds for victims of famine and fire,
participated in the construction of roads and the post office, and, of course, was
a writer. During this period (1892-1899), he wrote more than
40 works that are part of the golden fund of Russian and world literature
.
The Melikhov Museum honors Chekhov’s memory as
a writer and doctor. The writer’s house is located
behind a park with many old trees. Here you will find items that tell
of the life, fate, joys, and sorrows of the Chekhov family. Next to the house is the kitchen, which depicts the life of the Russian people in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the garden is a cozy little room where Anton Chekhov wrote the play “The Seagull” in 1895. One of the new exhibits is the Doctor’s House, which depicts the work of doctors from the late 19th century. Anton liked to name each part of his house: “The Courtyard of Naivety”—this is what Chekhov called the household part of the courtyard. The garden with its rare plants was called “The South of France.” There was also the “Aquarium” pond and the “Alley of Love,” where, it is believed, love wishes come true. In the center of the village is the Melihovskaya School, built by the writer in 1899. It houses a fascinating exhibition: a schoolroom and a rural teacher’s apartment. The literary exhibition “In the World of Chekhov’s Heroes” was opened in the school building, the construction of which was financed by Chekhov in 1897. Actors, directors, and playwrights come to Melihovo to immerse themselves in the spiritual atmosphere of Chekhov’s time. With the opening of the International Theatre School in honor of Chekhov, Melihovo became an international theatre center. In 2006, the Melihov Theatre opened its first season, the “Chekhov Studio” – Russia’s only professional repertory theatre. The museum hosts international theatre festivals and international readings of Chekhov’s plays. There are two branches of the museum in the city: the “Letter Museum” – the former post office at Lopasnya Station, opened with the help of Anton Chekhov, and the “Lopasnya-Zakhateisk” Manor House Museum, inextricably linked to the name of Anton Chekhov. This house was visited by the son and grandson of Alexander Pushkin.
Insider tips on the Glass Road
The Bavarian and Upper Palatinate Forests boast a nearly 800-year-old glassmaking tradition, which is still reflected today in numerous attractions. Given this background, it was a natural choice to establish the 280-kilometer-long Glass Road in 1997, stretching from Waldsassen to Passau. All sorts of companies dedicated to the material glass can be found there. Even away from the tourist destinations, numerous artists have taken on this fragile material and processed it in their workshops – some of them even let you look over their shoulders. Anyone who wants to see how the molten glass is shaped can do so, for example, at the “Alte Kirche” glassworks in Lohberg or at the “Schmid Glassblowing Workshop” in Lindberg near Zwiesel. It seems almost like a miracle when the red-hot, viscous mass is formed into a lamp or a vase within a short time.
The artist Rudolf Schmid demonstrated that it is possible to create trees up to 7.40 meters tall from glass panes by creating a “Glass Forest” in Weißenstein near Regen. This forest is accessible free of charge at any time of day or night and reveals a variety of impressions depending on the weather. Rudolf Schmid is also the creator of the ” Glass Barn ” in Rauhbühl near Viechtach. This is an old barn, which he converted into six enormous, painted glass walls and artistically redesigned the entire building. In sunshine, the glass walls, measuring up to 10 x 7 meters, appear particularly bright and colorful. Anyone interested in the stories and legends of the region will find their money’s worth here. A gem amidst the gently rolling Bavarian Forest landscape, which, by the way, can also be explored on the “Glass Trail.” The 100-km-long hiking trail begins in Arrach, leads past historically important sites in the history of glass, over the Grosser Arber to Grafenau. Those who prefer a more relaxed approach or want to digest their impressions in a cozy artist’s café can do so, literally, in the “Vault of Secrets” in Viechtach. Incidentally, there is also the opportunity to marvel at the world’s largest glass tarot cards!
Conclusion:
From the literary legacy of Anton Chekhov at Melihovo to the centuries-old glassmaking artistry along Germany’s Glass Road, both destinations reflect how culture, history, and creativity shape unforgettable experiences. Whether walking through the writer’s preserved world or witnessing fragile glass transformed into lasting art, travelers are invited to step into traditions that continue to inspire across generations.
