On the Istye River, more than fifty kilometers south of Ryazan, lies an unusual place reminiscent of illustrations from medieval legends. Here, one can see red brick buildings, towers, and Gothic arches that easily evoke images of alchemists, knights, beautiful ladies, and troubadours. However, this ensemble appeared in central Russia only in the second half of the 19th century. The history of Starozhilovo is no less interesting. The flourishing of the estate is associated with the von Derwies family. Pavel Grigorievich von Derwies, a patron and entrepreneur known for organizing the railway network in Russia, chose this location during the construction of the Moscow-Ryazan section of the railway.

Pavel Grigorievich von Derwies established the estate in Starozhilovo by purchasing it from Princess Orlova. The lands, including Starozhilovo, Sokha, and Romodanovo, were recorded in the name of his wife, Vera Nikolaevna, but he lived abroad from 1868.

The construction of the complex in Starozhilovo took place from 1891 to 1897 in the neo-Gothic style. The foundation of the brickwork consists of red bricks, while the architectural details are made of white stone.

The central element of the ensemble is the riding hall with a three-part composition and increased volumes in the center and on the flanks. The battlements at the top and the pointed windows give it the appearance of an ancient castle. The corner towers of the first floor were used for storing feed and equipment, while the upper floors housed grooms. The stables were divided into sections and were heated.

The complex also includes a water tower, a forge, a veterinary clinic, and other utility buildings.

In 1893, P.P. von Derwies opened a stud farm at the estate, aiming to breed a horse breed superior to the Ryazan draft horses in strength and endurance. From 1894, the stud was exempt from supplying horses to the military.

For the stud farm, they purchased Orlov trotters, Belgian Brabants, and Ardennes mares, as well as local heavy draft horses. In 1895, von Derwies acquired the stud of Orlov-Rostopchin horses from Mrs. Shurinova.

The work of the stud farm was divided into three groups: riding, trotting, and heavy draft sections. In the riding direction, four breeds were distinguished: thoroughbred English, Orlov-Rostopchin, Arabian, and half-bred. The Ryazan racetrack established the "Von Derwies Prize."

During World War I, the estate owner changed his surname to Lugovoy and continued to work at the stud farm while teaching mathematics at a gymnasium. After the revolution, many von Derwies emigrated, but Pavel Pavlovich remained in Russia. The estate was nationalized and used for horse maintenance. Derwies-Lugovoy continued to teach at the gymnasium. In 1919, warned by peasants of danger, he left the estate but was arrested in Petrograd and soon released, returning to Starozhilovo.

In December 1920, cavalry courses moved to the estate, among the graduates of which was Marshal G.K. Zhukov. P.P. Derwies taught mathematics, and the horses from the stud replenished the cavalry units.

The stud farm continued to operate during the Soviet years. In 1922, an inter-farm training depot for trotting young stock was opened, but it lasted only a year. In 1941, the stud suffered serious losses: horses were evacuated, but many died. By 1943, the herd numbered 43 horses, and the breed had to be restored. Thoroughbreds were brought to the Ryazan region from various parts of the USSR. The stud remained troubled by infectious diseases for a long time, and underfeeding was a significant problem. Gradually, the previous level was restored.

In the 1950s, the heavy draft section developed, while in the 1960s, priority was given to the riding section. To improve the breed, racehorses were purchased from Hungary and Poland. However, currently, the unique stud farm and estate complex are under threat. The last major renovation of the buildings was in 1993, and now 70% of the structures are in emergency condition. Caretakers are forced to reinforce them to prevent collapse.