On a hill above the Psel, in the Luka neighborhood of Sumy, the buildings of the Lyntvarov estate have been preserved. Once there was a main house with a mezzanine, several outbuildings behind a brick fence, two water mills, a park, an orchard with a family cemetery, and a pond. The estate is also famous for the fact that writer Anton Chekhov spent his summers here in 1888–1889.
Estate Owners
Until 1790, the estate with the Kulishivske homestead belonged to the Samoilovs, then to the Lavrentiev family, and from 1825 to 1917 to the Lyntvarovs. According to Mykhailo Lavrentiev's will, the estate was received by his nephew Pavlo Lyntvarov on the condition that he finish building the started Church of the Holy Trinity — the Trinity Cathedral later appeared in its place.
The House and Outbuildings
The original main house from the late 18th century was a single-story brick building with a fireplace, tile stoves, and stucco molding. In the mid-19th century, it was renovated: a mezzanine was added, windows were enlarged, and a terrace and basements were attached. The outbuilding with a six-column portico where Chekhov lived was built in the first quarter of the 19th century. The second outbuilding is a brick tower-like house on a high basement, resembling an old terem; Chekhov called it "Terem-teremok". The author of the estate project was probably the architect P. Yaroslavsky.
What Happened After 1917
After the revolution, the estate was looted. In 1924, it was transferred "for cultural affairs", and the estate began to be called the "Chekhov House". During Soviet times, there were various institutions here, and during the war — a German military unit. In 1950, the main house was rebuilt, and the terrace was bricked up. The writer's brother, Mykhailo Chekhov, recalled the estate as old, with a neglected orchard and the graves of ancestors under the trees, while the Psel here was wide, full-flowing, with many islands.
How to Get There
Address: Sumy, 92 Chekhov Street (Luka district). From the city center — take public transport to the "Lyntvarov Family Street" stop.
What to Consider
The estate buildings are in varying conditions, so view them from the outside. Sumy regularly suffers from drone and missile strikes — check the security situation before traveling.
