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.
Anton Chekhov’s Melikhovo Estate Museum
| The Writer’s Home and Surroundings | The writer’s house is located behind a park filled with old trees. Inside, you’ll find personal items that tell stories of the Chekhov family’s life, fate, joys, and sorrows. Beside the main house stands a kitchen showcasing the lifestyle of Russian people in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. |
| Garden, Exhibits, and Chekhov’s Touches | In the garden is a small, cozy room where Chekhov wrote “The Seagull” in 1895. The Doctor’s House displays the work of physicians from that era. Chekhov charmingly named parts of his estate: “The Courtyard of Naivety,” “The South of France,” the “Aquarium” pond, and the “Alley of Love,” where people believe wishes come true. The Melikhovskaya School, built by Chekhov in 1899, features a classroom, a teacher’s apartment, and the literary exhibition “In the World of Chekhov’s Heroes.” |
| Theatre and Museum Legacy | Melikhovo became an international theatre center with the opening of the International Theatre School in honor of Chekhov. In 2006, the Melikhov Theatre launched its first season as Russia’s only professional repertory theatre, “Chekhov Studio.” The museum now hosts international theatre festivals and readings of his plays. Two city branches include the “Letter Museum” at Lopasnya Station and the “Lopasnya-Zakhateisk” Manor House Museum, both closely tied to Chekhov’s legacy and the Pushkin family. |
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 Artistic World of Rudolf Schmid
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.
