How Joseph Stalin would spend his summer vacations (PHOTOS)

Many dachas aka country homes

Stalin had about two dozen residences throughout the USSR – from Moscow Region to Crimea and Abkhazia. This wasn't a whim, but a professional necessity. Under a dictatorial regime, such geographical spread ensured the head of state's security.

Often, neither Stalin himself nor his security team knew in advance where he would spend the next night. A sudden change in route complicated any possible assassination attempt. Moreover, the USSR was a vast country. Having a ready-to-use, fully equipped residence in different regions meant not wasting time searching for housing during inspection trips.

Medical considerations played a significant role. The dachas were located in different climates and at different altitudes, allowing for changes in living conditions based on doctors' recommendations.

Most of the residences were not the personal property of the General Secretary, but rather state-owned government dachas –  either the legacy of the tsarist palaces or specially built complexes for the highest leadership.

Why the south?

Stalin suffered from two chronic ailments he had developed in his youth: severe joint pain (rheumatism, which developed into polyarthritis) and weakened lungs following his exile during the tsarist years. Doctors insisted on a warm, dry climate and hydrogen sulfide baths. This is why the city of Sochi on the Black Sea coast or, more precisely, the resort area of ​​Matsesta, famous for its healing springs, eventually became his primary summer destination.

From 1928 until almost his death in 1953, Stalin visited the Caucasus every year, except during wartime. He usually visited in mid-August and stayed until October. This wasn't a vacation in the modern sense, but an annual recuperation course, integrated into the schedule of governing the country.

Several country houses were built for him in Sochi and neighboring Abkhazia. The most famous was the ‘Novaya (New) Matsesta’ dacha (later called ‘Zelenaya Roscha’ or ‘Green Grove’). Architect Miron Merzhanov designed it so that the house would blend in with the trees: the walls and even the roof were painted dark green. At Stalin's personal request, all government dachas were painted identically and shaped like the letter ‘П’ for camouflage and uniformity.

Inside, there was no palatial luxury: narrow corridors, low doors and simple wooden beds. Stalin disliked fountains, mirrors and unnecessary decor. Once, he ordered the newly built fountain at his Sochi dacha to be filled in – simply because the sound of the water irritated him.

Work & Leisure

Even in the south, Stalin never stopped running the country. He worked nights – often until two or three in the morning – receiving ministers and party colleagues, signing documents and listening to reports over the telephone. Members of the government came to see him for meetings.

Contrary to the popular image of a vacationer, Stalin almost never went into the sea. He couldn't swim and disliked water.

But, he loved games and competitions and was, generally, a competitive person. His passion was billiards. The loser had to crawl under the billiard table. Stalin forbade himself from going easy on others and people were afraid to disobey him. So, he himself was forced to obey this rule more than once. His second favorite game was ‘gorodki’ – an old Russian game where people knock down figures made of wooden blocks with sticks. A special area would be set up for this game.

Stalin was an excellent marksman with both pistols and rifles. He often held competitions with his guards and guests. He also loved picnics in the mountains, with shashlik (aka barbecue) and Georgian wine (he preferred the white ‘Tsinandali’ grape). Sometimes, he even sang folk songs.

Interest in Crimea

In 1945, after the Yalta Conference with the leaders of the United States and Great Britain, Stalin truly appreciated the Crimean palaces (former imperial residences) for the first time. He ordered them to be converted into government dachas and personally visited Crimea several times, but Sochi remained his main summer retreat. He last visited his Sochi dacha in 1950 – three years before his death.