Discover a Hidden Gem: The Hrapovitsky Castle

Hello everyone! I first heard about the Hrapovitsky Estate back in 2018 when my husband mentioned it in conversation. We visited it for the first time on our motorcycle, as we often used to travel by bike in those days.

Even back then, the castle was surrounded by a fence, and we weren't allowed to go inside. The estate had been abandoned for many years, and it was a popular spot for urban explorers and vandals. After a few fires broke out in the building, it was closed off and access was restricted.

The Hrapovitsky Estate is a noble estate located in the village of Muromtsevo, Sudogodsky District, Vladimir Oblast.

We always drove to the estate on our motorcycle or car, as the village of Muromtsevo is just off the main road from Vladimir to Murom. We'd leave our car in the village parking lot near the shops, and then walk down to the estate - it's just a few minutes' walk. But the complex includes more than just the castle. For example, as you drive through Muromtsevo on the way to the estate, you'll see the Church of St. Alexandra the Roman.

This is a really unusual architectural structure - I'd never seen anything like it before, and it's still an active church.

The Church of St. Alexandra the Roman is a 19th-century building and is an object of cultural heritage of federal significance.

I've been to the estate three times, and I've never taken a guided tour. We've explored the grounds on our own instead.

I highly recommend taking a guided tour, though. You'll learn a ton of interesting facts, and they'll show you more exhibits. We never made it to the stables, for example – they weren't even marked on the map when we first visited. My parents went to a concert here and took a tour, and they learned way more about the estate than we did. To book a tour, you need to contact the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve's visitor center in advance – they can also give you the tour schedule.

The estate has a rich history – it was once a stunning architectural complex. The Muromtsevo Estate was built in the late 19th century by architect Pyotr Boytsov for Colonel Vladimir Khrapovitsky. Since the mid-19th century, the estate has belonged to the Khrapovitsky noble family. Khrapovitsky dreamed of creating a Russian equivalent of European estates, drawing inspiration from French and English castle architecture.

After the 1917 revolution, the estate was nationalized. In 1921–1976, the main house was home to a forestry technical school, and after a new educational building was constructed, the estate's buildings were abandoned.

The estate's grounds are quite large, but everything was in a state of disrepair even back then. Unfortunately, to this day, the estate hasn't found a patron, and the government hasn't taken on the task of restoring and preserving it. At one point, some work was done, but it was slow going and didn't get very far. The castle itself is really interesting and looks unlike anything else in the area. It's got towers like you'd see in medieval knight's castles, which is not typical for buildings around here. And it's not just the castle building – there are stables, a pond, and even a cascading garden that used to be here. It's a shame, because this place could be really beautiful, but it would take a lot of money to make it happen.

The pond area has some really nice scenery, including a small bridge.

Looking at these shots, it's like stepping into a Russian landscape painting. The rolling hills, the misty skies – it's breathtaking. I mean, I've seen some great camera views before, but this one takes the cake. The way the light filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground... it's just stunning.

Summer's here, and the place is actually pretty beautiful, with everything surrounded by greenery that kind of softens the overall decline of the buildings. You can walk around the entire territory in under an hour at a leisurely pace. I'd definitely recommend visiting the Hrapovitsky Estate if you have the chance, because we don't know how long these incredible architectural structures will last or if they'll ever be restored again. I've been reviewing cosmetics, kids' products, and travel gear on my profile, so it was great to see you there.

Thanks for stopping by!