The store was the literal inspiration for the setting of Chekhov's short story 'Van'ka'.
Pavel Chekhov's store was known in Taganrog as the 'Third Part' shop, referencing its location in the city's third police district.
The upper living quarters have been restored to reflect the modest, somewhat cramped living conditions of a large family in the 1870s.
The museum retains the original layout of the 'grocery' area, including the specialized storage shelves and counters used in the mid-19th century.
Anton Chekhov spent much of his childhood here serving customers and studying, often while managing the store's inventory books.
Muzey "Lavka Chekhovykh" is a historic house museum located in the building where writer Anton Chekhov lived with his family from 1869 to 1874. The site functioned as a grocery store owned by Chekhov's father, Pavel Yegorovich, on the ground floor while the family resided upstairs. The museum preserves the authentic 19th-century mercantile atmosphere, showcasing original trading equipment and household items. It serves as a primary site for understanding the childhood influences that shaped the author's later literary works. The building is a designated cultural heritage site of the Russian Federation. Exhibits include original ledgers, personal correspondence, and artifacts pertaining to the Chekhov family's daily life in Taganrog. The museum is a key component of the Taganrog State Literary and Historical-Architectural Museum-Reserve.
The restored 19th-century storefront display window.
Read 'Van'ka' before your visit to better identify the architectural details referenced in the text.
Ask staff to point out the specific location where the young Anton used to study between serving customers.
Do not expect a grand mansion; the building is a small, modest merchant house reflecting the family's financial struggles at the time.
Closed on Mondays.
