٠٠:٠٣:١١The secret country retreat of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin welcomed its first visitors in Russia’s Sochi on Wednesday.
The local geographical society had used the building since 1986, although only uncovered its remarkable history two years ago.
"This is the first dacha where Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin spent his vacation. In fact, it was his first residence of this kind. Moreover, a lot of important challenges the country faced were addressed here," director of Sochi History Museum Elena Radishcheva shared.
The first visitors were also given an opportunity to bring back the garden's historic appearance by planting olive trees that were originally growing outside the residence.
The latest research began with an old door lock dating back to 1912. Historians realised the metal seal was made by an artisan who worked during the reign of the last Russian Emperor Nikolai II Romanov.
Further study, aided by archive photographs, uncovered that Stalin and his family, along with friends, used to spend their holidays in the house.
"We have tried together with the Sochi geographical society, [and] History Museum to collect as much archive data as possible, available to the public at that time, to publish this book," Radishcheva added.
The new book is titled 'The History of Creation and Functions of Government’s Country Residences in Sochi'.
Holidays with Stalin - Soviet leader's secret country retreat revealed
The secret country retreat of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin welcomed its first visitors in Russia’s Sochi on Wednesday.
The local geographical society had used the building since 1986, although only uncovered its remarkable history two years ago.
"This is the first dacha where Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin spent his vacation. In fact, it was his first residence of this kind. Moreover, a lot of important challenges the country faced were addressed here," director of Sochi History Museum Elena Radishcheva shared.
The first visitors were also given an opportunity to bring back the garden's historic appearance by planting olive trees that were originally growing outside the residence.
The latest research began with an old door lock dating back to 1912. Historians realised the metal seal was made by an artisan who worked during the reign of the last Russian Emperor Nikolai II Romanov.
Further study, aided by archive photographs, uncovered that Stalin and his family, along with friends, used to spend their holidays in the house.
"We have tried together with the Sochi geographical society, [and] History Museum to collect as much archive data as possible, available to the public at that time, to publish this book," Radishcheva added.
The new book is titled 'The History of Creation and Functions of Government’s Country Residences in Sochi'.
The secret country retreat of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin welcomed its first visitors in Russia’s Sochi on Wednesday.
The local geographical society had used the building since 1986, although only uncovered its remarkable history two years ago.
"This is the first dacha where Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin spent his vacation. In fact, it was his first residence of this kind. Moreover, a lot of important challenges the country faced were addressed here," director of Sochi History Museum Elena Radishcheva shared.
The first visitors were also given an opportunity to bring back the garden's historic appearance by planting olive trees that were originally growing outside the residence.
The latest research began with an old door lock dating back to 1912. Historians realised the metal seal was made by an artisan who worked during the reign of the last Russian Emperor Nikolai II Romanov.
Further study, aided by archive photographs, uncovered that Stalin and his family, along with friends, used to spend their holidays in the house.
"We have tried together with the Sochi geographical society, [and] History Museum to collect as much archive data as possible, available to the public at that time, to publish this book," Radishcheva added.
The new book is titled 'The History of Creation and Functions of Government’s Country Residences in Sochi'.