History of the resort Gagra. Rest, decent prince of Oldenburg

Another amazing place in Gagra is the castle of Prince Oldenboursk. Each tourist who comes to Gagra should go there, for this castle is an initial step in the history of the development of GGR. Like any tourist, I was attracted by this castle with his curious history, architecture and picturesque terrain. If you relax in Gagra, you must stroll to the castle of Prince Oldenboursk. Now I will tell you how to get to him without difficulty.

How to get to the castle

So, the very first question is how to get it?

Prince of Aldenboursk Prince is located in the old part of the city of Gagra. It is located near the Joquirl River, on the slope of Mamzyshha mountain. If you want to walk and relax, then next to the castle is a magnificent seaside park, where you can enjoy the surrounding nature.

Thus, to get to the castle of Prince Oldenburg, you can:

History of the castle of Prince Oldenburg

The castle starts its history from one and most noble genera of Oldenburg. What is this dynasty?

This branch begins with a small twig, namely from the Holstein-Gottorpian family of Oldenburg. Once they were excellent rulers of this small ownership, and the glorious County of Oldenburg was formed a few later. If you remember the story of the Romanov dynasty, the prince Alexander Petrovich was their closest relative. So, the great-grandfather of Emperor Paul was Prince Alexander Petrovich Oldenburg.

One of his most important solutions is the establishment of a unique resort on the coast of GGR. In those days, he was called the second Nice. It is here that the prince decides to start building his castle. Architect I. Lucerne appointed to lead all construction work, as he was very educated and loved new styles and directions in the art of that time. Therefore, the castle was erected in a completely new and unique style of Modern. It was very atypically for that time!

The palace was finally completed in 1902. And the next year near the castle was broken by an excellent place of rest - Primorsky Park.

They brought here and planted a variety of bushes and trees from around the world. Cypress, chipsticks, cork oak, pink olelders, magnolias, araucaria and many, many others.

During the Board of Soviet power, the House of Prince Oldenburg was reasured to the sanatorium. Stalin, it was here that the entire Soviet elite came to rest.

Somewhat later, he began to be called the Sagka sanatorium.

The castle fell into the combat zone during the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict (1992-1993) and suffered very much. Passing by him, you can see traces from bullets and other shells. But the palace stood and preserved until today.

Description of the castle

And so we came to the castle of Prince Oldenboursk. Immediately striking a huge stone structure with a bright red tiled roof.

Each tourist wants to look at it not only outside, but also stroll through the castle itself. I note that it is necessary to do it very carefully, as it is in disrepair.

Yet we risked and went into the castle itself. I immediately drew attention to the once of the reckons of the room with the rest of the rooms left on the walls, beautiful columns near the staircase, fireplaces and windows of different shapes and sizes.

Unfortunately, we managed to walk only in several rooms, the rest were completely destroyed. Crashing paint, garbage and broken glass indicate that urgent repair and restoration is needed.

Extremes can be advised to get to a round window and watch the top of the old Gagra. From there a beautiful view of the sea and the city itself!
When we went out of the castle, I immediately rushed into the eyes of a picturesque tower, which is called "Sokolnny". In my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful buildings of the castle. It is clearly seen from anywhere in the old Gagra district, especially from the embankment. It is said that it was from this tower that the prince once hunted on local feathered.

Excursions to the castle

Excursions to the castle sometimes spends the Gagrypsh restaurant for its guests. The approximate cost of 700-1000 rubles. Maybe on different days (they can change, so you need to specify the organizers).

Those who wish to save can independently get to the castle. Many travelers come here themselves to admire the beauties.

It is worth clarifying a very important point. As the lock is in disserval, now it is officially closed for excursions (except excursions for guests of the Gagrypsh restaurant). However, nobody forbade into the territory of the castle of Oldenburg.

Therefore, in the presence of desire, tourists can even climb the top floor. True, I did not do this from security purposes.

***

By your journey to Prince Oldenboursk Castle, we stayed very satisfied! Despite the fact that today it is in a very deplorable state. We, like every tourist visiting the castle, believe that one day he will transform and breaks like in the old days. Then you can see all its initial beauty both inside and outside!

The life path of the prince of Oldenburg - the founder of the castle

Prince Oldenburg Alexander Petrovich belongs to the well-known genus of Oldenburg - the branches of the Holstein-Gottorpian line of the Great Dynasty of the Oldenburg, the people from which were the rulers of the Duchy of Oldenburg. It is worth noting that the genus of Oldenburgs was relative to the famous dynasty of Romanov, at that time the rules in the Russian Empire. The prince of Oldenburg was born in June 1844, became the Russian general, then he was a senator and a member of the State Council, and before the fall in Russia, the monarchy was a member of the Imperial House.

Story of the construction of an old castle

The main merit of the Prince is the construction of the first on the entire Caucasian coast of the climatic resort in Gagra. Thanks to the financial investments, Alexander Petrovich Oldenburg was founded by telegraph and subtropical technical school, electric lighting and plumbing were conducted. In January 1903, the climate station was opened at the Gagripsh restaurant, this day (January 9) entered the story as the founding day of the resort. The castle of Prince Oldenburg, located in the Old Gagra district, built in 1902. The building is located in a rather picturesque place, on the mountainside, not far from the place where the Joquer River flows into the Black Sea. On the seashore, there was a park, in which lemon and orange trees, agaves, palm trees, cypresses were planted.

Modern appointment of the castle of Prince Oldenburg

At a time, when many countries included in the USSR, the city Gagra was declared as a resort of nationwide, the Palace of Prince was initially renamed the sanatorium namedline, and in the future he was called "Seull". When the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict occurred in 1992-1993, the city of Gagra, as well as the Prince Castle, turned out to be practically in the center of hostilities because of which he had suffered a lot - numerous fires and robbery was still disgraceful. Today, a tourist business has been developing in the city with a rather intensive rate, various buildings are being built, entertainment plants are being taken, construction work is underway to restore a variety of holiday homes and historical monuments. However, to such a historically significant building as the Castle of Prince Oldenburg, which has recently been a tourist object number 1 lately, but this place is still interested in tourists, even here and do not lead excursions, as it is dangerous in a dilapidated building. However, he is the main attraction of the old Gagra and guests of Abkhazia, it is necessary to hope that it will soon be restored and visits will be resumed.

The founder of the famous resort Gagra is the prince of Oldenburg, who chose this place for one of his residencies. The climate on the coast was warm and pleasant.

Therefore, a member of the Russian imperial family Prince of Oldenburg, fascinated by the beauty and climate of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, caught fire the idea to equip these places in order to make them as popular with the domestic aristocracy as French Nice.

The Gagra climatic resort became the favorite brain of the Prince. In 1899, Alexander Petrovich visited the Black Sea province for the first time. His companion in this trip was Minister of Communications Prince M. N. Khilkov. Their goal was to study the possibilities of laying here in the Black Sea Railway. Having traveled all the coasts, the prince was delayed at the time of Tavern. He literally fell in love with this beautiful corner of the Black Sea coast, probably, then for the first time he originated with his dream to landscaping this place and settle here.

Alexander Petrovich was born on May 21, 1844 in St. Petersburg, in the magnificent palace, compared to his nephew in 1830 by the emperor to his nephew - Prince P. G. Oldenburg (now it hosts the St. Petersburg Academy of Culture)

Oldenburg Alexander Petrovich 1844 - 1932.

It should be noted that the origins of the creation of the Gagrin climatic resort were two very well-known figures of science - Professor S.N. Ryovaysky and Professor F. I. Pasternatsky. It was they who are the day before the prince's trip managed to interest it with this idea.

And so, faithful to his usual and never postponed the plans "in a long box", Prince von Oldenburg began to go. He infected his idea of \u200b\u200bmany enthusiasts from science, collecting a talented company, which included architects K. L. Brenner and I. G. Lucenedar, doctor of medicine A. V. Timofeev and P. F. Chigayev, Agronom-decorator E. V. Shervinsky and many others.

It should be noted that in the realization of this idea, the prince found a like-minded person and assistant in the face of Ober-Hofmeister of the Yard of the Deputy Empress Mary Fedorovna Prince Georgy Dmitrievich Shervashidze Chachba (1847-1918).

All the troubles about the establishment in the Gagra of the Resort safely ended with the issuance of the Emperor Nikolai II of July 9, 1901, according to which the prince was obliged to take care of the creation of the Gagrin climatic station. It was the first in the history of Russia a major resort project on the Black Sea coast, its implementation was allocated a very large amount of money - 7.5 rubles in gold.

Already six months after the decision of the sovereign, the first structures of the resort were completed in the main features. And on January 9, 1903, he was officially opened. On this day, a thanksgiving prayer was served, and in the evening there was a salute about the joyful event. In 1912, Hagra visited Emperor Nicholas II.

View of Gagripsh from the sea.

In 1901, the palace was erected, which was now one of the attractions of the city. Architect became I.K. Lutagesky, who built an amazing building in fashionable then modern style. The roof of the palace is covered with red tiles, and the overall ensemble of this unusual palace complements the fireplace pipes, balconies, tower.

The Palace of Prince Oldenburg's Palace looks incredibly picturesque among the magnificent greenery and elevations, but now he is a symbol of ruin and decline, and not luxury and bold thought, as it was a hundred years ago.

View of the palace from the sea.

The trials of the prince and his spouse Gagra acquired a unique individual appearance. A magnificent seaside park with exotic plants and animals brought from all over the world was broken here.

The Primorsky Park was founded in 1902. His creation was engaged in the architect Shervinsky-Sr. and Master of Landscape Park Building - Agronom-Decorator K. Brener. The park was created as a unique arboretum, for this, plants were delivered here from various corners of the Earth.

Colonnade at the entrance to the park. The colonnade was built for more than two years, and the project was carried out in difficult post-war years, when resources, both material and human, lacked. This attraction quickly has become one of the symbols of Renaissance GGR as a city and as a resort.

The opening of the colonnade took place in 1956.

The appearance of the colonnade in Gagra is quite simple: it is an arcade located in a semicircle, forming a single architectural ensemble with the fountain. It looks like this area, especially at dusk very beautiful and majestically: four towers are connected by small arcades. The length of the design is 60 meters.

By the way, this monument was shown in the famous film "Winter Evening in Gagra", thanks to which has become even more recognizable outside the country.

Visiting the Primorsky Park, you can plunge into the amazing world of the magic tropical nature, where the salty sea smell interrupts the gentle and light flavor of exotic colors. Around the tracks broken throughout the park, many unusual plants are growing. In total, there are more than 400 species of different plants here, most of which are evergreens.

Of the many local and delivered here from other countries of the world of decorative vegetation, they deserve special attention to: Field Palms, common on the Canary Islands, American Magnolia, Malva from Syria, Coconut Palms brought from South America, etc. In Primorsky Park, such rare varieties can be met Plants like hammerance, candy tree, Himalayan cedar, Agava and Oleander.

"Gagripsh" is an amazing preserved monument of history acting and now.

The building for Restaurant "Gagripsh" was brought in a disassembled form from Scandinavia in 1902. This building bought at the Paris exhibition founder of the resort Gagra Prince A.P.oldenburg. The building was brought to Abkhazia and was collected in place. A feature of the construction is that all the construction is assembled without a metal fastener.

There was also bought a building for the Palace of Princess Oldenburg, who, together with a restaurant, was a single architectural ensemble. Unfortunately, the building of the palace has not yet been preserved.

In the restaurant's building and now there are mechanical clocks, which are still moving manually.

In 1903, the construction of the restaurant building was completed, and on January 9, 1903, the solemn opening of the Gagrian resort was held at the Gagripsh restaurant or as he was called at the time of the Gagr climatic station.

On this day, the Thanksgiving prayer was served, and in the evening there was a salute about the joyful event. Prince at a solemn reception handed guests commemorative silver tokens with their monogram A.P.O. and the inscription "Gagra 1903".

The appearance and interiors of the restaurant, despite numerous reconstructions, remained almost unchanged to the present, transmitting us an atmosphere of the very beginning of the twentieth century.

Gagripsh Visited Emperor Nicholas II, writers of Chekhov, Bunin, Gorky, singer Fedor Shalyapin.


After the revolution, the Aldenburg family was forced to emigrate to France. The rest of their days they lived in the luxurious seaside city resort Biarritz, who may have visited them the memories of their brainchild - unattainable now Gagrach. Evgenia Maximilianovna died in 1925, and the old prince - in 1932. both of them survived their son Peter, who died in 1924 by leaving the offspring. Together with them, the Russian branch of the ancient Oldenburg house was stopped, faithfully served by his homeland.

We say goodbye to the Climate Park Complex of Oldenburg.

Road to Gagra.

Prince Oldenburg's Park has a century-old history - it was created in 1902 in Gagra. Initially, he was not so big, but over time, there were plants from different parts of the world. The prince of Oldenburg himself was engaged in questions about the factory of new plants, birds and animals - but he lacked knowledge on biology and botanic: many of them simply did not fit. In Soviet times, the park became an excellent example of a park architecture - the best landscape designers of the country for a long time worked. Today more than a thousand plants grow here, most of which are evergreens. Often this place is called seaside park, as it is located almost on the coast.

How to get?

The easiest way is to use the services of a route taxi. The park is near the final stop - leaving the minibus, immediately find yourself in the right place. The cost of a trip is 30-60 rubles. You can also take your car or by taxi - the average cost of this service is 150 rubles. Nearby is the ABAATA railway stop.

• Park of Prince Oldenburg occupies an area of \u200b\u200babout 14 hectares. Plants from the Canary Islands, China, South America, Africa, Syria and other corners of the planet germinate here.
• The park attended interesting and important personalities. In 1912, Nikolai was visited here with his daughters and high-ranking guests. In Soviet times, Vladimir Mayakovsky, Igor Northgen, Maxim Gorky, Vladimir Vysotsky and other creative personalities were divided into Soviet times.
• In Soviet times, films were filmed here - "Funny guys", "Duel", "Star of captivating happiness".
• At the junction of the park and the seaside alley, created after the Park laying, there is an openwork colonnade, built in the 50s of the last century.

• Align a walk through the park with a visit to the castle of Prince Oldenburg - the received emotions is enough for a long time!
• Among all plants, the Park special attention deserve dates and coconut palms, Himalayan cedar, agawa and a candy tree - but do not think that you will find sweets on the latter!

If you ask a question to any passion "What, in your opinion, the landmark of Abkhazia is the most beautiful and most famous?", Be sure to all answer - the castle of Prince Oldenburg.

This is a truly magnificent building represents the cultural and historical value of the resort of Gagra. In addition, the residence of A. P. Oldenburg is considered a step of the history of the entire city, as it is a starting point in the development of GGR.

Prince Aleksandr Petrovich Oldenburg - the great-grandfather of Paul I, is a leaving from the oldest kind of Oldenburg, which ruling in the Duchy of Oldenburg. Oldenburgs were related to the Romanov dynasty. Alexander Petrovich was born in 1844, he was at high state posts, and before the fall of the Russian Empire had membership in the imperial house.

His merit is not reading, but the main thing is that the prince founded the first in the Caucasian coast of the city resort Gagra. It is from the construction of a palace and the transformation of GGR to the resort town, "Russian Nice" begins. The castle of Prince Oldenburg is located on the slope not far from the place where the Joquer River flows into the Black Sea.

This part of the city is considered one of the most picturesque. In addition, around the coast was equipped with a park, in which various "exotic" plants, such as palm trees, cypresses, as well as lemon and orange trees, which creates even more attractive atmosphere. This park is called Primorsky, it makes it possible to enjoy all the beauties of Gagre once again.

History of the castle

Despite the fact that some researchers call 1898 the date of the foundation of the palace, the castle of Alexander Petrovich Oldenburg was built in 1902. He became a kind of "noble nest" of Oldenburg.

The location for the construction of the palace chose the prince himself personally. The architect of the structure was the longtime friend Alexander Petrovich Grigory Ippolitovich Lucenedar. Many sources call the creator of the project and the head of the construction of the Palace of Grigory Ippolitovich, who managed to implement one of the most beautiful creations of classical modernism.

The palace has absorbed all the most beautiful elements of modernity: the red tiled roof is perfectly harmonized with a lot of balconies, and the pipes of the fireplace in no way spoil the look, but only emphasize the status of the building. In addition, researchers celebrate the importance of the Sokolniche's Tower, which was located in the residence. According to local residents, Prince Alexander Petrovich himself very much loved a falcon hunt, so I ordered to build a tower.

Prince of Oldenburg had many more plans for transformation not only the castle and the Primorsky Park, but also the whole city. But the war started did not allow all the plans to be implemented. Prince soon called to Petersburg, from where he was forced to emigrate abroad.

After the Bolsheviks came to power, the Palace of Prince was reasured in the Sanatorium named after Stalin. Here, the highest ranks of the Soviet society arrived here every year. Later, the palace was assigned the status of a boarding house, after which he began to wear the "Seagull" name.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the castle of Oldenburg came to launch, he was looted and even subjected to a fire that destroyed the part of the building. By the end of the 1980s. The castle of Prince Oldenburg was attributed to architectural monuments.

Gradually, restoration work began to unfold. But further events interrupted the restoration of the palace. Georgian-Abkhaz War 1992-1993 Not bypassing this creation of architecture. The permanent hostilities that were conducted here were serious damage to the building, leaving behind the traces of bullets and shells.

Legends about the castle of Prince Oldenburg

The legends associated with the Palace A. P. Oldenburg quite small. One of them relates to the construction and tab of the residence.

According to the legend, after many unsuccessful attempts to lay and begin the process of building the building, the prince of Oldenburg makes a decision to call the architect Yahu Abbas-oglu, Iranian by origin. Allegedly long conversations between the prince and the builder did not have. Abbas-oglu pledged to complete the construction of the castle at a certain time. With the non-fulfillment of this condition, he had to take all financial expenses. Yahya did not slow down, and certainly started working.

When construction was already approached, small problems arose. It remains to finish the final part for which cash waste was needed. But the prince did not have money, and Iranians had to get out of the situation - to occupy money from acquaintances and friends. As a result, the work was performed on time. When the time came, Alexander Petrovich came with Yahi Abbas-oglu, did not want to pay the prince under the contract.

To all of the time, the situation of Yahai was aggravated by the conflict with the governor of Kutaisi, according to contemporaries, with envy relates to the success of other people. Iranian, in turn, by this time was quite popular and had a great authority. In connection with this conflict, Abbas-ovars could be arrested.

The builder could not accept such injustice, both by the Governor and the Prince, and decided to go to St. Petersburg with a complaint. Despite the fact that the trip took considerable time, it was still crowned with success. Ultimately, Nicholas II awarded and professionalism for their hardworking and professionalism and the medal "For diligence", and Prince A. P. Oldenburg was forced to pay the Iranian on debts.

Despite the fact that this legend has no documentary confirmation, yet it is impossible to deny the fact that Yakhya Abbas-oglu really participated in the construction of the Prince Castle.

What is the castle today

Today, the Palace of Prince Alexander Petrovich Oldenburg is the echo of the past era. Now, looking at the building of the residence, we will no longer see those of the architecture that were before.

The roof of the roof, partially destroyed walls, traces of fires and bombings are all that remained from the wonderful palace, which many guests arrived. But even in this form, the castle does not lose its popularity and attracts the attention of many tourists, because, in fact, he reached us almost unchanged.

At the moment, the residence is purchased by a private person, a large-scale restoration of the structure is planned. The castle itself is in running. In the castle, you can get through the Gagripsh restaurant, which often organizes excursions for everyone.

Approximately, such an excursion will cost in the area 700-1000 rubles. It is also necessary to have in the attention of the fact that the building is emergency, and therefore they may refuse the excursions.

How to get

• The residence of Prince Oldenburg is located near the pier and the end stops of urban public transport. You can go to the castle through the seaside park, to get to which it is possible on the route taxi Or by ordering a tour of the administration of the restaurant Gagripsh. The cost of the road on the minibus will be about 30-60 rubles, excursions - 700-1000 rubles.
• On foot. The most budget option will be a walking walk to the seaside park, then rising upstairs, you will find yourself in place.
• On the cable car. Right to the castle, ranging from the seaside park, leads the cable car. Such an option will suit lovers of not only beautiful and picturesque places, but also extreme. Approximately cost such a walk will be from 200 rubles.
• Taxi. The fastest and most comfortable option is to use taxi services, which will cost about 150 rubles.

reference Information

Address Castle: Prince Castle Oldenburg, Old Gagra district, Gaga city, Republic of Abkhazia.

Coordinates: 43.325583; 40.225367

Address of the restaurant "Gagripsh": city Gagra, ul. Narta

Restaurant hours: from 11:00 to 0:00.

Middle account in the institution: 1700 RUB.

* Prices are February 2016.