This brick house on the street Priluksky in the early twentieth century became one of the most visited places in Russia. During the first decade of its existence is visited by about two million people. The observatory was intended for the education and cultural activities, and everyone called the People’s House. Children under the age of seventeen were here in full security. In addition to teaching classes and workshops are housed museum, theater, free legal advice, reading room, free dining, shoe and clothing store for low-income, geography and natural sciences museum, the benefits for which the students themselves created. The glory of the amazing Countess reached and Europe: in 1910, the People’s House was awarded the Brussels International Exhibition
But the most popular place in the house was a round tower with a dome and viewing platform. Here housed an observatory, open to all who wish to study celestial bodies.