Not far from St. Petersburg lies the small village of Torosovo, where the ruins of the once magnificent estate of the Wrangel barons are located. Here, the famous General Pyotr Nikolayevich Wrangel, a symbol of the White Movement, was a guest. Although the song speaks of the "White Army, the Black Baron," in reality, the baron fought to end vandalism and lawlessness in Russia. However, his efforts were unsuccessful, and now many monuments of pre-revolutionary architecture, including the Wrangel estate, lie in ruins.

Even in its ruined state, the estate makes an impression and attracts thousands of tourists each year. Unfortunately, the government is in no hurry to restore this historical and architectural monument. The main building has long been without windows and a roof, it is deteriorating, and without intervention, we may lose this masterpiece of Russian architecture.

The estate was built in the 19th century by Baron Yegor Yermolaevich Wrangel, who acquired the village of Torosovo in 1852 and placed agricultural buildings there. It was intended for his son Mikhail Yegorovich Wrangel, who received military education and became a general.

In 1872, Mikhail Yegorovich, being a major general, became the governor-general of Livonia, and in 1874 returned to St. Petersburg to arrange the estate. Inheriting his father's business acumen, he created one of the most beautiful noble estates in the St. Petersburg province. All building materials were supplied by his lime and brick factories.

The buildings made of boulders created an exotic "medieval" town. The estate house, styled in "English Gothic," stood out with white plaster elements against the backdrop of red brick walls. The house harmoniously blended into the landscaped park, created on the site of arable land. The park featured a thoughtful composition, with a chain of clearings on the southern slope and tree plantings to the north. Decorative shrubs added charm to the park, and the palace, thanks to its color contrast, was visible from different corners of the park. The estate, with its park, garden, and vegetable garden, occupied 24 desyatinas.

After Mikhail Yegorovich's death, the estate passed to his wife Charlotte Pavlovna, but it was managed by their son Georgy Mikhailovich, who lived in Torosovo year-round. He kept the estate in order, repaired and built buildings, developed the farmstead, and acquired neighboring estates.

In 1917, after two revolutions in Russia, the estate, like many others, was looted and taken from its owners. Over a hundred years, it fell into disrepair: the gardens overgrew, and the buildings became dilapidated. The estate needs restoration and care to become one of the most beautiful reserves in Russia.