This truly is a special place—not just an estate, but a living complex where art, architecture, and nature merge.

It all began in 1887, when Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov traveled along the Oka River and became enchanted by the place. He dreamed of a small house on the riverbank that would serve as a home, workshop, museum, and library. In late 1889, the Polenovs acquired an estate near the village of Byokhovo. The artist exchanged two dessiatines of fertile land with the local peasant community for one dessiatine of barren sandy hill ("Borok")—thus obtaining the land for his estate.

Construction of the Big House began in 1891 and was completed in just 14 months. The family moved in in 1892—this date is often considered the beginning of the museum. Polenov himself served as the architect, creating a harmonious ensemble that intertwined motifs from Russian, Gothic, Art Nouveau, and even Arabic architecture—a style sometimes referred to as "Polenov architecture."

During the artist's lifetime, a museum opened on the estate: Polenov wanted to make it accessible to local residents.