Russian Dacha | History of Summer Houses in Russia

Russian Dacha is a unique traditional summer house in Russia. Or, rather, a house with a garden for growing vegetables and relaxing. Sometimes it even has a private bath house! Foreigners love russian dachas, thinking about banyas, shashlikis and nature. But did you know the history of this word and how the concept of "dacha" changed throughout the history of Russia? So #StayHome and learn about russian dachas today!
Peter the Great was the first person to give dachas to his subordinates. In Imperial Russia dachas were huge summer estates and only the wealthiest citizens could afford one. During the soviet times dachas were given to everyone and now almost 60% of russians have one. Let's see, how these summer houses were changing and how russians felt about them. You will see huge aristocratic mansions and small wooden houses, find out what inspired Chekhov to write the Cherry Orchard and how many dachas Stalin had. In addition, I will tell you how Russians treat their dachas now and why real russian dachas may cease to exist.

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Guts and Bourbon by Kevin MacLeod

[Setarko]

Wanna have a chance to chat with me and the boys about Russia, politics, memes and basically everything else?

[laurencezemlick]

“Cosplay the aristocracy of pre-revolutionary Russia” - great line

[mikemeal]

Finland and Russia actually has a lot in common. Almost every family with children owns a "kesämökki", meaning "summer cottage" or "summer house". They most of the time are old wooden buildings, but usually with running water and electricity and a kitchen. Almost all of the time they are by the water, which is common in Finland because we have so many lakes. Usually the cottages go from father to son, etc. And we love them! A summer is not a summer, if at least 2 weeks is not spent by a small town with like less than 5000 people, in the mökki with friends and family. We even call many municipalities "mökkikunta" (kunta is finnish for municipality), because their population double during the summer, because so many people have their mökkis in there. I love Finnish culture!

[qilorarv]

Lithuanian here, we call them Sodas meaning Garden (even though there is always a house) more and more people choose to kive there, but growing up it was a perfect place to party, and having fresh food grown by grandma is one of the best things ever😊

[miyakawaso]

Wow! Judging by this video, you're doing terrific work and getting few views. I hope your channel grows exponentially. It deserves it.

[Bernacide]

Greetings from the U.S.! I have always been extremely fascinated with Russian culture. Thank you for these GREAT videos!!! ❤❤❤

[cyborg_patat]

We have the same concept here in Bulgaria. We call it Hizja (Хижа, literally translates to Challet). I remember growing up in the early 2000s and going to our small wooden Hizja with my grand parents to help with the vegetables, grape vines and fruit trees we grew there. It was up in a mountenous area so naturally I also spent a lot of time running in the woods.

[moustachu]

In Poland they were called Workers' Gardens, and were also shared amongst workers of particular industries. My grandparents worked in steel and gotten one, which they still use to this day to relax and grow some vegetables. In the 90's these Dachas started to have problems, [since the land was not owned by their users] big business and developpers lobbied for the to be dissolved and the land sold. In some cases they succeded, but still there are many of them left across the country (now called Family Gardens)

[derpyeh]

Seems cozy. Reminds me of the cottage/camp culture in the northern US and Canada.

[jubmelahtes]

In high school I had a russian teacher (who always said she was from the USSR) who told us she had a dacha outside of Moscow where they had potatoes.

We always wondered what they did with all the potatoes, then we learned what vodka is made of.

[lineh]

Setarko, we do have a similar concept in Denmark, called "Kolonihaver" :-) A movement started by the workers already in 1800s. Today you can buy them, you are not allowed to live there all year and the public owns the soil, you can own the house.

[FinUgShiet]

We have dachas also here in Finland, although they're called Mokki, but they're pretty similar to dachas

[stupossibleify]

Two of the most striking aspects of Eastern Europe for me are the crowded prefab urban apartments (despite having so much rural space) and most people owning summer houses (probably as the antithesis to the latter). Having just watched two of your videos you've provided amazing context.

[Zachry]

This is really something for those dealing with city planning. I think everbody in the city needs somewhere to go. Having tiny plots of land close to the city (or atleast good communication via train/bus etc.). It would would be excellent for health and also be serve as a great backup if food once again becomes a problem. Even if people are not farming them now, they can be converted in a crisis.
A great example of this is that here in Norway during ww2 even the kings castle gardens were used to farm potatoes.

[draganv]

For somebody that has moved to Russia only 2 years ago and seen all these things but didnt know origin and why, you made it clear and more understanding. Thank you and please keep up with great work.

[fmac]

Here in Brazil this type of property is not common, but the funny thing is that my neighbors on the side, created their own version of a Dacha and produce a good quantity of fruits and some chickens.

[xgyyyld]

Meanwhile in the west most of us own only one house if at all

Im not one of those idolize everything about Russia people but honestly there are some things from your culture that we could potentially take inspiration from too.

[csongorvarga]

Allotments are quite popular in Germany as well. In Hungary we also have special zones that are outside the city limits but like "half residential" where you can build a house but you should not expect full utilities. Usually only electricity and water. Those are used for growing food and weekend recreational activities.

[mantaskizeliauskas]

I love the wild 90s this should get the whole episode dedicated to that.! Btw great vids!

[breannayn]

People! Interact with this creator’s content!! These are really well made and researched videos. Love it!