This is the legendary Arseny Morozov mansion in Moscow on Vozdvizhenka Street, built between 1895 and 1899.
Unlike his two older brothers, both well-known art collectors in Moscow, Arseny had little interest in art. However, he knew how to shock the public much better than both of his brothers combined.
Competing with his brothers for attention, he used to say that their collections would eventually fade into history, while his castle and name would live on forever.
Arseny combined a whole range of architectural styles. When the mansion was finally completed, his mother reportedly remarked: “Before, I was the only one who knew you were stupid. Now all of Moscow knows."
Arseny's death was no less dramatic. Over dinner, he once interjected that he wasn't afraid of any pain.
To prove his point, he took a rifle off the wall and shot himself in the leg. A few days later, Arseny died of blood poisoning.
The Morozov family was hit with another scandal. One of the richest merchant dynasties in Moscow has left another dark legend for future generations.
To this day, this extraordinary mansion in Moscow preserves the memory of its amazing and eccentric owner.