Starozhilovsky stud farm is one of the most interesting cultural heritage sites of the Ryazan region. This complex was built at the end of the 19th century according to the project of the architect Shekhtel. The construction of the complex was financed by the youngest son of the famous railway builder in Russia, Baron Paul von Derviz.
Factory Address
To find this historical complex in the Ryazan region, if desired, is not at all difficult. The village of Starozhilovo is a district center. From Ryazan to the stud farm can be reached by moving along the Ryazan highway. After about 37 km, in the village of Akulovo, you should turn right. It will be simply impossible to miss the stately building of the stud farm near the village of Starozhilovo. The complex is significant in size, so it is noticeable from afar.
It is easy to get to the stud farm and by public transport. To do this, at the city bus station you should just take any bus whose route passes by the village of Starozhilovo. Some lovers of antiquity come to this village by train. Tickets can be taken on the Ryazan-Chemodanovka train. From the village itself it will not be difficult at all to find a well-marked Starozhilovsky stud farm. The address of this complex is as follows: Ryazan region, Starozhilovo r. p., st. Konezavodskaya, 1A.
History of the foundation of the plant
The construction of this economic and historical facility was begun in 1891 and continued until 1897. However, the year 1893 is considered the year of the opening of the Starozhilovsky stud farm. The land in this area was bought by the father of Paul von Derviz in the middle of the 19th century. At that time, the Ryazan-Kozlovskaya railway was laid past the village of Starozhilovo, the construction of which was led by Baron von Derviz. He bought the plot with the village from the State Lady Olga Orlova.
After death, the baron left his wife and son about 1 million rubles. Therefore, his heir realized his desire for the construction of a stud farm pretty quickly - in just six years.
Complex Features
Initially, von Derviz’s Starozhilovsk stud farm included 12 buildings. In addition to the premises for animals, residential buildings, a carriage house, a forge, a cowshed, an arena, a dairy, etc. were located here. Unfortunately, only the stable, several utility rooms and one residential building have survived on the territory of the complex. Other buildings did not spare time. The walls and foundations of many pre-revolutionary buildings have been preserved, but all of them are mostly picturesque ruins.
F. O. Shekhtel, who developed the project of the complex, was not an architect, in fact. He received his education as an artist, and therefore did not adhere to any architectural canons during the construction of the stable. According to many experts of the late XIX century, in the end, the building turned out to be too fanciful. However, in horses, Shechtel knew a lot. Therefore, the complex itself was very convenient for keeping animals.
Workers and cavalry horses of the Starozhilovsky stud farm
Initially, Baron von Derviz decided to breed and improve the Ryazan workhorse at the new plant . To do this, he purchased Orlov trotters, three Brabancons and several Ardenne queens. As a result, heavy-type hybrids with excellent characteristics were obtained.
A little later, a repair department was created at the Starozhilovsky stud farm designed to breed cavalry horses. As producers, Baron von Derviz decided to use Arab, Oryol-Rostopchin and purebred English horses. After some time, the trotters department was also opened. By 1897, more than 2700 horses were already kept at the Starozhilovsky plant.
Factory after the revolution
After 1917, the enterprise of Baron Derviz was, of course, nationalized. From oblivion and destruction, the Starozhilovsky stud farm was subsequently saved by the fact that the new government really needed horses. During the Civil War horses were grown on the territory of the complex for the Red Army.
In the 1920s, Ryazan cavalry courses were organized on the premises of the plant. One of the students of this school was G.K. Zhukov, the future marshal who won the Second World War. Also, these courses were often attended by Budyonny.
Factory during WWII
During the Second World War, the Starozhilovsky stud farm, unfortunately, fell into complete decline. When the Germans approached the village, its inhabitants tried to evacuate the horses. But during the crossing of the Oka River, the whole herd died. Some historians believe that this did not happen by chance. Perhaps the factory workers specially drowned the horses so as not to leave them to the enemy.
An interesting fact is that not a single bomb fell on Starozhilovo itself during the encirclement. Perhaps this is pure coincidence, or maybe the German name of the former owner played a role in this case. After the Germans were driven back, they drove horses from the Smolensk stud farm under their own power in Starozhilovo. Here the animals were until the end of the war.
60-70s
Immediately after the Second World War ended, another batch of heavy trucks and trotters arrived in Starozhilovo. However, the new era dictated its own conditions, and most plants switched to cultivating not military or working breeds, but sports riding. The same thing was done in Starozhilovo. The manufacturing staff at the plant began to be equipped with Trakenen horses purchased in Poland. Over the 16 years of operation, the population of the Starozhilovsky stud farm has grown from 39 to 300 animals.
At the end of the 70s, Trakenen horses were returned to their historical homeland - to the Kaliningrad region. At the Starozhilov factory, they started breeding and improving the Russian horse breed. For the first time since the time of the first owner, the Oryol horses returned to the territory of the complex. Unfortunately, by that time the Russian riding breed had almost degenerated. With great difficulty, the factory managers managed to find 21 mares. And the results were not long in coming. Within a few years, such outstanding Russian riding horses as the multiple champion of the USSR Barin, the silver medalist of the World Cup Dixon, the famous Dolg, Duke and Dialog were raised at the plant.
Nowadays
Today, the Starozhilov plant is experiencing, unfortunately, not the best of times. It contains no more than two dozen horses. The building, which has not been repaired since the 90s of the last century, gradually deteriorates and becomes even unsafe. Employees of the enterprise are trying to maintain it in a tolerable condition, but the roof of the stable is ready to collapse, and the floors constantly fail. There is no heating in the building, so in winter the horses are constantly cold.
Residents of the Ryazan region collect signatures asking the authorities to pay attention to the plant. However, they have not yet been able to achieve special results.
Starozhilovsky stud farm: administration telephone
Numerous tourists who want to inspect the complex and horses also help at least a little to stay afloat. You can buy a tour in Ryazan, in the company of the corresponding specialization or directly in the administration of the complex.
By phone +8 (960) 571-48-67, all the necessary information is provided for those wishing to inspect the Starozhilovsky stud farm. An excursion usually involves visiting the building itself, as well as examining the horses in an open corral.
Horses for sale
Of course, the plant is engaged in the sale of its wards. You can purchase horses of Russian or Trakenen breed by contacting the number indicated above. In addition, the plant has its own website, where you can see photos of the animals sold. The Starozhilovsky stud farm also leads its VKontakte group. Horses are sold regularly here.