THE SHEREMETEV'S CASTLE - a pearl of the Volga

In the place where the Vetluga river flows into the great Volga river, on the border between the Nizhni Novgorod region and the Republic of Mari El the village of Yurino (former Arkhangelskoye) is situated. This is where a unique castle, the castle of Yurino, may be found. They call it the pearl of the Volga.

It's quite clear now why in recent times the representatives of one of the most noble families of Russia and Europe chose just that very place for the erection of their main residence. The village of Yurino and the castle are located on the bank of the Volga river, between the two large cities of Kazan and Nizhni Novgorod. The Volga connects the village with the Black Sea and Baltic Sea. The location is outstandingly beautiful, surrounded by original forests with ship pine - trees growing up to the skies, rich in berries and mushrooms, game - birds and animals, and the river abounds in fish. The expansive view can be seen from the bank of the Volga.

It was in this place in 1812 that the retired general Vasiliy Sergeyevich Sheremetev decided to settle. He was one of the millitary leaders of A.V.Suvorov, a distant relative of field - marshal Sheremetev, who was a magnate in Peter - the Great's time and the owner of the famous estate of Kuskovo near Moskow.

In 1860 the possession of the estate was taken by V.P.Sheremetev who was married to the St. Peterburg's beauty O.D.Skobeleva, a sister of the well-known Russian commander M.D.Skobelev. V.P.Sheremetev decided to build a castle in Arkhangelskoye.

The Russian and German architects R.Muller, A.Parland, Yakov Mamontov and Pavel Malinovskiy designed the castle.

The immense castle was erected by craftsmen from the Yurino village. An Italian, Yermi Kristofoli, was invited to make the inlaid doors.

The castle architecture includes various features from different styles, and the influence of Gothic, Oriental, Romanic and old Russian styles can be seen there as well. The magnificent building is built of red and black bricks; white stone details effectively stand out against the black and red background. There is a large balcony above the front entrance, which rests on four white stone columns. The Southern entrance leads to the winter garden and a glass cupola rises on an enormous ring, which is supported by seven columns. Such a large winter garden built into the castle is a very uncommon feature.

There were almost a hundred rooms in the castle. "The Picture Gallery", "The Oriental Study", "The Oak Room", "Skobelev's Hall" are among them. The canvases of great painters such as El Greko, Luke Laidensky, Yan Bregel Barkhatny, V.L.Borovikovsky, K.P.Brjullov and many other pieces of art testify to the fact that the collection of pictures was unique.

More than a thousand articles of ancient ceramics, majolica, porcelain, pottery, rare enamles of the 16th centure, ancient bronze china and japanese handicraft ware, luxurious carpets and gobelins tapestries were brought to the castle from Russia and abroad. In 1923 the treasures were moved to Nighni Novgorod. Some of them whre lost duing the troubled times of nationalisation.

Time and lack of maintenance damaged the castle and the estate but in 1970 the castle was declared an architectural monument, and following a resolution of the Government of the Republic of Mari El it was taken under state protection.

In 1985 the restoration and reconstruction operations began. The following decree was passed by the President of the Russian Federation (N 917 August 24, 1992) "Measures of the State Support for the Social and Economic Development of the Republic of Mari El". Accordingly the International Tourist Center is now being established in the Yurino region. The Sheremetev's castle and estate will be the stating point of the Center. To accelerate the restoration and to raise money "The Castle Fund" and a joint-stock company "The Sheremetev's Castle" were organised. Historical, architectural and art treasures are now being given back to the castle.

Because of the lack of money, the restoration of the castle and of the estate is currently progressing slowly. Substantial funding is required to return the castle to its original beauty, so that it will gladden people's eyes. The Mari Department of the All Russian Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments, the Administration of the Yurino region, and the joint-stock company "Sheremetev's Castle" appeal to you, dear Ladies and Gentlemens, to make donation towards the revial of this historical and architectural monument.

Financial investment in the pearl of the Volga - Shermetev's castle, promises large returns to the businessman. There are a lot of advantages for the tourist business. The village of Yurino is easily reached from centers of international tourism such as Moskow, St. Peterburg, Volgograd and Astrakhan. From the village of Yurino a tour can be arranged to the town of Kozmodemyansk. Kozmodemyansk has preserved the planning of 1848 and houses of the XVII - XIX centuries richly decorated with wooden carving. It has two museums: the Open Air Ethnographical Museum and the Picture Gallery of Russian Paintings. A trip along the Vetluga river offers an opportunity to visit a small and secluded monastery of old believers and the Svetloyar lake associated with a legend about the invisible town of Kitezh. Kozmodemyansk river port offers you hydrofoil and motor ships for trips along the river. It would also be possible to open a floating restaurant near the Sheremetev's castle. The castle is waiting for your help.

Addresses: