The Gagra resort was founded thanks to Prince Alexander of Oldenbourg ( father-in-law of GDss Olga Alexandrovna) who in the end of the XIX cent. was afire with enthusiasm for a idea to build a well-equipped and cheap climatic resort on the Black Sea in Abhazia district (between Sochi and Suhumi). Prince was able to persuade Nicholas II to give money for a new resort and in 1903 it was opened.
The Prince built a Palace for his family at this resort in 1902, the building in modern style.It survived after the Revolution and for many years had been a sort of a VIP sanatorium.
Now the building and area around are in a deplorable state.
Here’s the sea-shore and the Palace of the Oldenburgs in the beginning of the XX cent., a photo by Prokudin-Gorskiy.
http://www.veinik.by/photo/1551.htm#photoThe Palace is seen above in the forest.
And the Palace and all resort now, exteriors and interiors.
http://www.liveinternet.ru/community/intellettuale/post106852595/http://russos.livejournal.com/580638.html