The Tchaikovsky Country Estate in Klin

As previously blogged, International Women’s Day on 8th March, is a rather important holiday in Russia. In 1917 demonstrations held on Women’s Day were the first steps of the Russian Revolution and in 1965 it became a national holiday "in commemoration of the outstanding merits of Soviet women in communistic construction, in the defence of their Fatherland during the Great Patriotic War, in their heroism and selflessness at the front and in the rear, and also marking the great contribution of women to strengthening friendship between peoples, and the struggle for peace. But still, women's day must be celebrated as are other holidays."

The beautiful day we set out to do some culture.

So, what did my friend and I decide to do this time? Well, we thought we’d take a trip in her new car to Klin, a small town 90km north of Moscow to visit Tchaikovsky’s country estate. Despite trying to persuade some male friends to join us, we set off on our own. Briefly debating whether such a museum would be open on a public holiday, we came to the logic and obvious conclusion that it would be, as it would make a lot of money.

Tchaikovsky's country estate through the iron railings.

The exterior of the museum

This was, however, British logic. A far different beast to Russian logic.

The sign on the door of the museum stating that it is a holiday

After the one and a half hour drive (including a minor detour that the sat-nav took us on...) we arrived to find it closed! Кошмар!

The wood and dirt track that the sat-nav tried to tell us was an actual road...

... And the war memorial hidden therein.

A wander around the outside of the fence in the beautiful sunshine, and happening across a pretty little church meant it wasn't a completely wasted trip, but lesson learnt! Next time, we will certainly be more prepared.