The Petrovskoye-Alabino estate is located just 35 km from Moscow. Once a magnificent complex with a park, pond, and its own chapel, it has been gradually deteriorating for nearly a century. The Demidov Palace, stripped of its roof and ceilings, stands open to the winds, exemplifying national vandalism towards historical monuments.

Since the mid-18th century, the estate was owned by the Demidovs, a family that rose to prominence under Peter I and amassed wealth from the profits of Ural mining factories. Petrovskoye was inherited by Nikita Akinfievich Demidov, the grandson of a Tula blacksmith, who laid the foundation for the family's prosperity. The Demidovs, emerging from humble beginnings, became part of the aristocratic elite, were educated, and patronized the sciences and arts. Monarchs valued them, often seeking financial support.

Nikita Akinfievich continued the family business, owning profitable factories, but primarily lived in the capitals, holding a high position at court. The project of the estate, built in the 1770s, is attributed to the famous Moscow architect Matvey Kazakov. His involvement is confirmed by a cornerstone inscribed: "This house was laid on July 2, 1776... Architect... Kozakov."

Modern research suggests that Kazakov only oversaw the construction, while the idea's author was I. E. Starov, a distant relative of Demidov. The similarity of the house's composition to the Demidov estate palace in Taiitsy near St. Petersburg, built in the same years, supports this version. It is possible that Starov's idea was taken as a basis but reworked by Kazakov. In estate construction, a single author was often absent; ideas and projects were borrowed and adapted. Clients also contributed their wishes, acting as co-authors. The awareness of the value of individual creativity and copyright only emerged in the 19th century.

The lands of the village of Petrovskoye belonged to the Borovsk Pafnutiev Monastery until 1706 and were called Knyazhishchevo. Peter I transferred them to Pyotr Pavlovich Shafirov. In 1713, Shafirov received permission to build a wooden church of the First Hierarch of Moscow, Metropolitan Peter. In 1738, the church was replaced with a new one, featuring wooden choirs adorned with tiled stoves and "red windows." Since then, Knyazhishchevo has been called Petrovskoye.

In 1744, the village passed to the Demidovs, who created a unique estate here with architectural structures, a park, and alleys. Petrovskoye could rival Kuskovo and Arkhangelsk in the number of sculptures. The estate complex, including the stone church of Metropolitan Peter and a separate bell tower, was built according to Kazakov's design in the classical style (1776-1780).

Gradually, the estate was left without an owner and in the mid-19th century passed to the Meshchersky family, marking the beginning of a decline. During the Soviet era, the estate was turned into a hospital and fell into disrepair. A descendant of the owners, Vladimir Meshchersky, has lived in an empty wing since the 1990s.

The main house, built between 1776 and 1780, is octagonal in shape and adorned with Doric colonnades. A dome crowned the central round hall. Iron sphinxes, cast at the Demidov factories, stood on the grand staircase. The house is surrounded by a square courtyard with four two-story wings. The entrance is decorated with obelisks and surrounded by a park.

The alley leading to the Desna River was adorned with marble and cast-iron sculptures. At the end of the alley stood a statue of Apollo, cast at the Ural Demidov factories. In 1919, the statues were melted down.

After the events of 1917, the main house housed a children's orphanage. However, the building was blown up by the order of party officials as a symbol of "oppressors of the working class." Three explosions shook the house, but the outer walls withstood. The wings were untouched: one is used for housing, one for a post office, and two are abandoned.