Many Muscovites are familiar with the Tea House on Myasnitskaya Street, which looks like a fabulous Chinese palace. Next to it there is an ordinary, not very noticeable building of the pre-revolutionary building at number 17. One of the bright and entertaining urban legends is associated with this building.
They say that after the onset of dusk, a light flickers in one or the other window of the house, as if someone is walking with a candle from room to room. At night, you can meet an old-fashioned old man nearby who wanders the street and sadly says: "My money, my money!"
Until the middle of the 19th century, the house belonged to the noble Izmailov family, who were Masons. All the rituals of society bore the imprint of mystery and secrecy. House No. 17 on Myasnitskaya Street was the best suited for Masonic meetings.
The original building stood at the back of the courtyard, in the middle of the garden. The house was separated from the street by a high fence.
View of the pre-revolutionary Myasnitskaya Street. Late 19th century. On the right is the Tea House, on the left is house No. 17.
From 1843 to 1870, Major General Pyotr Petrovich Kusovnikov and his wife, Sofya Ivanovna, lived in the house.
The new owners were by no means brave people. Seeing such a sight, they ordered the doors to be boarded up in the part of the house where the terrible room was located. Since then, the couple have not gone there.
Collection of Freemasons, late 18th century
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And the Kusovnikovs did not need all the rooms of the big house. They had no children. They lived in solitude, did not go to visit, did not invite anyone to visit. The gates of the house were rarely opened. If the Kusovnikovs went out for a walk around the city, it happened at night.
Although the Kusovnikovs were rich, they were distinguished by extraordinary stinginess, they did not like to spend money. The beggars were never given alms, even the servants were not kept. They had only one janitor, who became the culprit of the terrible incident.
Janitor 19th century Russia.
There were many rumors about the Kusovnikovs because of their strange lifestyle. They said that at night they counted and transferred their banknotes from one box to another. The couple were very afraid of thieves. If they left home somewhere, they certainly took with them a large box with savings.
The day was damp and cold, and the janitor decided to heat the stove for the arrival of the owners. He lit the fire, not knowing what was hidden in the chimney. Of course, the papers were completely burnt.
When the Kusovnikovs returned home, the first thing they did was to check whether the banknotes were in place. What was their horror when they learned that everything was burnt down!
Myasnitskaya street today. To the right is the Tea House, to the left of it is house No. 17.
The old man to this day protects the house from intruders, protecting the lost wealth. Every evening he goes around all the rooms every evening and checks if there is a box with banknotes in the chimney. When dusk falls on the city, the major general goes out into the street and wanders along it, frightening passers-by. They say that meeting with him promises trouble and monetary difficulties.