We often bring back photographs of luxurious castles from our European travels. But for Russia, such architecture is completely atypical. Gothic and English motifs were not popular among the Russian nobility. However, among the nobility there were still great originals who built their estates in a foreign manner. We have selected the most spectacular castles of the past and supplemented the list with the most bizarre modern ensembles.
Vasilievsky Castle (Moscow region)
Photo: ai-ivanov/shutterstock.com
They say that Prince Alexander Shcherbatov was so impressed by his trip to the English colonies that he built an estate in the Victorian style. In 1881, such a decision looked strange. In the garden, his wife grew strange foreign plants, and deer wandered around the estate park. Today, the castle’s interiors, looted during the revolution, have been restored. Now the building is occupied by a sanatorium, so it is difficult to get inside. But no one limits walking around the territory and taking photographs.
Sheremetev Castle (Yurino, Republic of Mari El)
In this grandiose castle, Gothic has been reinterpreted into the Russian style. German architects added stucco and wooden decor to the facades. The complex consists of several buildings, and not only the clock and watchtowers, but also the chimneys are decorated with battlements. In 1812, the richest landowner of the Nizhny Novgorod province, Vasily Sheremetev, bought the land for construction, but the castle was built by his descendants over the course of 40 years. Despite the ongoing restoration, the residence can be visited on a guided tour or even spent the night there.
Oldenburg Palace (Ramon, Voronezh region)
In 1878, Princess Eugenie of Oldenburg, granddaughter of Russian Emperor Nicholas I, began construction of an elegant castle in the Old English style. Red brick walls and white battlements on the towers look laconic – this is one of the most popular modern places for photo shoots of newlyweds. The competent management of an active noblewoman turned Ramon from a backwater into a prosperous village. Restoration is underway inside the building, so you can only visit it with a guided tour, and admission to the park is free.
Garibaldi Castle (Khryashchevka, Samara region)
Photo: atsurkan/shutterstock.com
In a mixture of styles from different eras, some elements look older than others. In fact, the fantasy castle is a perfect remake. Its design makes abundant use of the most recognizable and characteristic details of the romantic estates of medieval Europe. The territory is decorated with observation decks, sculptures, and a gloomy atmospheric garden. The castle has a hotel, stables and quest rooms. The complex was built by a Samara businessman and named after his father.
Khrapovitsky Estate (Gorki, Vladimir region)
Photo: igor Litvyak/shutterstock.com
The rarest Gothic noble estate in Russia is now going through hard times. The photo shoot here will not be elegant, but rather gloomy. The eclectic castle with battlements and lancet windows, built at the end of the 19th century by order of Life Guards Colonel Vladimir Khrapovitsky, combines a playful two-story French part and a later, austere four-story extension in the English style. When the owner was at home, a flag was raised on one of the towers. Today the estate can only be visited with a guided tour during a visit to the Vladimir-Suzdal Nature Reserve.
Vyborg Castle (Vyborg, Leningrad region)
A harsh fortress with a donjon and thick walls has protected Vyborg since the 13th century. The castle on an island in the Gulf of Finland was founded by Swedish crusaders, and during the Northern War of the early 18th century it passed to Russia. A large-scale reconstruction of the castle took place in the 19th century. Today there is a local history museum here, as well as historical festivals, knightly tournaments and excursions.
Big Gatchina Palace (Gatchina, Leningrad region)
Photo: Anton Kudelin/shutterstock.com
The surroundings of the imperial country residence are reminiscent of medieval castles. Cold ascetic facades, narrow windows, jagged towers are surrounded by a harsh, laconic English park. Gatchina is not the most elegant suburb of St. Petersburg, but this is where “European” photographs are taken. The view of the castle from the side of Silver Lake is especially good.
Castle Marienthal (Pavlovsk, Leningrad region)
Emperor Paul I loved castles. Fortress Marienthal (or Bip) is a small two-story building with three turrets and a spire. It is surrounded by two rivers and a moat. The small residence was considered an architectural whim and was called a “funny castle.” However, the fort was equipped with defensive weapons.
Okhotnikov Castle (Kharskoye, Oryol region)
Many legends have developed around this Gothic castle. Rumor has it that you can even meet ghosts here. Unfortunately, during the Soviet years this place lost its frightening splendor, and descendants were left with spectacular ruins that were converted into garages.
Ponizovkin Castle (Nekrasovsky district, urban-type settlement Krasny Profintern, Yaroslavl region)
The eclectic castle of the Ponizovkin family created a real sensation at the beginning of the 20th century. Neo-Moorish carvings and façade ornaments would look more at home in the suburbs of France rather than in a Russian village. Today there is a park hotel where acoustic concerts are held. We recommend taking a walk around the castle and visiting the exhibitions inside.
Naryn-Kala Fortress (Derbent, Republic of Dagestan)
One of the largest defensive structures in the world is protected by UNESCO. On three sides the fortress was protected from raids by nomads by mountains, and on the fourth by a wall with powerful towers, the length of which was once 42 kilometers. Today, some fragments of it have been preserved, and a museum has been organized in the fortress.
Chateau Erken (Chernaya Rechka, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic)
Photo: Vitaliy_Zhuk/shutterstock.com
This citadel, uncharacteristic for mountainous regions, is not a historical estate of princes, but a modern winery built at the end of the 20th century. From the walls of the castle there is a view of Mount Elbrus. Deer and pheasants walk in the park. This atmosphere attracts connoisseurs of exclusive wines who come here for excursions and tastings.
Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God (Bykovo, Moscow region)
Perhaps the most famous Gothic estate in the Moscow region. But the “castle” here is often called an elegant church. The “Russian Gothic”, atypical for our country, is attributed to the architect Vasily Bazhenov. The romantic atmosphere of the entire estate is also maintained by the main manor house. Red-stone and with snow-white doomed atlases instead of columns, it has become a popular place for autumn photo shoots.
Mystical castle (Balashikha, Moscow region)
It seems that the architects of the 21st century collected all the best in this castle at once. A little gothic, a pinch of modern, and a little steampunk for good measure. If you look closely at the decoration, you will notice many parts made from garbage. During the tour, guides tell legends about ghosts. You can buy or rent an apartment right in the castle.
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