In a remote mountainous area of Gagra lies a forgotten pre-revolutionary castle, built in the early 20th century for Prince Alexander Petrovich Oldenburg, the grandson of Emperor Paul I. This remarkable man made significant contributions to Russian charity and paid attention to the Caucasus, where at that time resorts known as climate stations were actively developing. In 1902, Prince Oldenburg laid the first stone of his future castle on the mountainside.

Alexander Petrovich approached the construction of the palace in the Art Nouveau style with great care. The works were overseen by two well-known architects of the time: the Iranian Abbas-Ogly and Grigory Ippolitovich Lyuderaetsky. However, even such masters could not avoid delays. Once, the foundation cracked, leading to a shift in the work schedule. Nevertheless, by the following year, the construction was completed.

In addition to the castle, at the prince's command, the Primorsky Park was laid out, and wings for servants and park workers were built. A tall observation tower was also erected, which has survived to this day and offers magnificent views. The old tiled roof of the palace can be seen by tourists from afar.

Unfortunately, Alexander Petrovich did not live here for long. After the February Revolution, he lost a significant part of his property, and with the arrival of the Bolsheviks, he was completely deprived of the opportunity to live in his homeland. The castle, like other residences of the prince, was confiscated. For a long time, it housed a sanatorium, first for treatment and then a closed one for party officials. Over the years, the castle suffered greatly, and in the post-Soviet period, it was sold into private hands and continues to deteriorate. Hurry to see the remaining beauty before it disappears.