Many miracles can be seen on Russian soil.Enough in our country attractions, which are not written in the tourist guides. Did you know that in the Odintsovo district of the Moscow region you can see a real Gothic castle with partially preserved interiors? What is remarkable about the estate of Count Shcherbatov, located near the village of Vasilyevsky, Odintsovo district, Moscow region, and what is its history?
The early history of Vasilyevsky
Lands related to modern OdintsovskyDistrict, in the XIV-XV centuries belonged to the Zvenigorod principality. The village of Vasilyevskoe, near which the estate stands, was first mentioned in the annals of 1498. Originally it belonged to the Moscow Simonov monastery, in the XV century it was already mentioned as a palace. In 1619, the first mention of the Resurrection Church, built in this village. The village itself becomes a patrimonial possession and is divided between five Cossack chieftains. But very soon the land again transferred to the monastery, this time Novo-Spassky. Next, the Russian estate repeats the fate of many other estates. For various achievements of the land, they are handed over to someone from the entourage of the ruling king, but then, after the change of power, the new king takes possession and passes it on to some of his favorites. Thus, the village and the manor lands changed many owners.
New Manor of Count Shcherbatov
Since 1764, the estate belongs to Yakovlev.Ivan Alekseevich, the father of A.I. Herzen, is engaged in the restructuring of the manor house and takes it to the other side of the river where the small village of Maryino was located. After the death of the owner, the estate was inherited by his nephew, who quickly sold it. In 1845, the lands became the property of Nikolai Grigorievich Shcherbatov, who was a major general of cavalry and personally participated in the Battle of Borodino. After his death, the standard Russian manor goes to his son - Alexander Grigorievich. The new owner takes princess Olga Alexandrovna Stroganova as his wife, and two years after the marriage begins to rebuild a new house. The style is neo-gothic, the main architect is Pyotr Samoylovich Boytsov, who by that time had already become famous for creating magnificent castles. It is believed that several objects ordered the graph Shcherbatov. A manor, a dungeon under it, outbuildings and a well-planned park with fountains and flower beds - all this was erected.
Prince Shcherbatov and his family
Alexander G. after graduationSt. Petersburg University worked as an authorized representative of the Red Cross during the Russian-Turkish war, was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th degree for combat exploits. During the First World War, Shcherbatov joined the founders of the Russian Union of Trade and Industry. At the same time, Alexander Grigorievich, with the support of his wife, organizes the transport of the wounded, launching a special “ambulance train” using exclusively personal funds. The Shcherbatovs also open a hospital and organize a shelter for children whose parents died in the name of the Motherland. The eldest son of the princely couple also participated in the fighting (in the Russian-Japanese war) in the rank of midshipman. In 1915, terrible news came from St. Petersburg: Alexander Alexandrovich Shcherbatov - Alexander Grigorievich's firstborn - died in St. Petersburg. Not much survived him and his father. Olga Alexandrovna buried her relatives near the village of Maryino and rebuilt a church on the burial site, which she wanted to consecrate in honor of Alexander Nevsky - the patron saint of the departed. However, this plan was not implemented due to the events of 1917. Olga Alexandrovna managed to leave Russia forever, taking with her some of the valuable things.
Manor of Count Shcherbatov: photos and description
During his dawn, a manor house withthe turrets were richly trimmed inside and surrounded by an exotic garden. There were plants brought from India and other countries, roe deer and chamois freely walked around the territory. Olga Aleksandrovna Shcherbatova, before her immigration, managed to take out all the truly valuable things from the estate. However, furniture and art objects were stolen during the 1917 revolution. But at the same time the house itself was not too badly damaged. Many historians attribute this fact to the respectful attitude of the peasants to the princely family that has been involved in charity work all their lives. Later in the Gothic castle there was a rest house and a sanatorium for patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system. Even V.I. Lenin visited him, in memory of which a memorial tablet appeared. After the collapse of the USSR, the health care facility was abandoned and stood for several decades without major repairs and security. But despite this, the facade and load-bearing walls are preserved quite well.
Gothic castle today
The estate of Count Shcherbatov could well replenisha list of attractions that have disappeared from the face of the earth and collapsed naturally. However, the object has gained sufficient popularity among fans of non-standard tourism and visits to abandoned palaces. And just recently, tourists, who decided to explore this place, were amazed - the building is being restored. New glass and frames are installed in empty window openings, the facade is painted, the roof is being repaired. It is possible that very soon the estate of Count Shcherbatov will appear before us in its updated form and survive the second period of its heyday. However, there is no official information on the purpose for which the restoration is being carried out and what will be inside the renovated building.
