Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

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Date of formation: 1826 - 1832, Architects: A.A. Menelas, A.I. Shtakenshneider Garden master: P.I. Erler, Park area - 115 hectares The Alexandria Park is named after its first owner â€“ Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Nicholas I. Sun, flowers, shady groves of old oaks, the "music of the water" of the stream, the expanses of meadows merging with the bay under the bottomless sky â€“ all this is Alexandria, the family nest of four generations of the Romanov dynasty. Znamenka (formerly also known as the Znamenka Manor, Znamenka Dacha) â€” a former estate on the Peterhof Road, a grand ducal residence. To the west lies the "Alexandria" park, to the east â€” the "Mikhailovka" estate. Bounded by the Gulf of Finland to the north, and by the Peterhof Road to the south. It occupies an area of 74 hectares. Mikhailovka (also "Mikhailovskaya Dacha" and "Mikhailovskoye Estate") â€” a 19th-century palace and park ensemble on the Peterhof Road, which before the revolution belonged to the descendants of Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich Romanov, son of Emperor Nicholas I.

Gothic Chapel in Peterhof - Church of Alexander Nevsky

VWJJ+8F Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Petersburg: Unusual and Interesting Houses

Petersburg: Neo-Gothic

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

The beloved home church of Nicholas I and his family is located in the western part of the former "Her Majesty's Own Dacha Alexandria." Resembling a medieval Gothic cathedral in miniature, the chapel serves as an impressive romantic decoration of the park, which is why it was named the Gothic Chapel (one of the meanings of the word "chapel" is a small home church for the prayers of a single family). It was built as the home church of the royal family and was used by the families of four generations of Russian emperors – Nicholas I, Alexander II, Alexander III, and Nicholas II. The church was consecrated in the name of Saint Blessed Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky. The church was mainly used during the summer.

Gothic Palace Stables

Avrova St., Building 2, Block 7, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198510

Petersburg: Unusual and Interesting Houses

Petersburg: Neo-Gothic

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

The Palace Stables (also known as the Gothic Stables, Imperial Stables) are a complex of historic buildings in Peterhof. On the site currently occupied by the complex, there had been a stable yard since 1723. In 1846, architect Benois received an imperial commission to build a new Stable Yard. Demolition of the old structures (a total of 8 buildings made of wood and cobblestone) began in 1847. The new stables were constructed from 1848 to 1855. In total, the stables housed 328 horses. The complex included an arena, the equestrian department, residential houses for staff, a smithy, a veterinary clinic, a carriage house, haylofts, and fodder storage rooms.

Gothic well in Alexandria Park

VWJP+46 Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Petersburg: Neo-Gothic

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

By the 1830s-1840s, metal gazebos became fashionable in Russia. For example, in the "Alexandria" park, there is an ornate gazebo called the "Gothic Well." In the "Alexandria" park, near the chapel built in the "Gothic style," stands an ornate gazebo forged from cast iron, called the "Gothic Well." It was created in 1835 based on the designs of the famous Russian artist and architect Charlemagne. The cast iron pavilion over the well was cast at the Berd factory.

Guardhouse (Gothic) with gates

Alexandria (upon request), Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198517

Petersburg: Neo-Gothic

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

Not far from the Service Building is the main entrance to the park from the St. Petersburg Highway side. At the entrance in 1827, according to the project by A. Menelas, the Guardhouse was built in the forms of English Gothic, which is why the building is often called the Gothic Guardhouse. Currently, the building houses the International Fund for Assistance in the Restoration and Development of the State Reserve Peterhof "Capital of Fountains" and the park's excursion department.

Ruined Bridge in Alexandria Park

VWHR+F6 Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

The bridge was designed according to the project of architect Adam Menelas, and approved in 1827 — construction began immediately. The work lasted 5 months; the supports and arches were built from brick and roughly hewn granite boulders.

Courier house in Alexandria Park

Zverinskaya St., 15, Saint Petersburg, Leningrad Region, Russia, 198510

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

After the Highest Approval on October 8 of the same year, the Feldjeger House was built. According to the available description, the courtyard was enclosed on three sides by a fence painted yellow and had a rectangular shape in plan.

Farmer's Palace, Alexandria Park

Alexandria Park 19, Saint Petersburg, Petrodvorets, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198510

Petersburg: Neo-Gothic

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

Great Architects: Andrey Ivanovich Stakenschneider

The Farmer's Palace is the only one in Russia created specifically for Alexander II. Later, the palace became the true family residence of the emperor. All renovations and reconstructions were carried out exclusively under his supervision.

Palace and Park Ensemble "Alexandria"

Building 60, lit. F, office 206, Saint Petersburg Avenue, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198517

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

The palace and park ensemble "Alexandria" – a place of constant summer retreat for four generations of the Romanov dynasty – adjoins the eastern border of the official imperial residence, separated by a wall from the Lower Park. One of the residences of the Russian emperors from 1830 to 1917 (His Imperial Majesty's Own Dacha). Named after Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Emperor Nicholas I.

Lower Dacha in Alexandria Park

VXM2+M4 Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Russia: Lost Monuments

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

Petersburg: Lost Architectural Monuments

The Lower Dacha is the last palace building constructed in Alexandria, the Romanovs' suburban residence in Peterhof. The park of Alexandria dates back to 1825, when the wooded area located east of the Peterhof Lower Park along the Gulf of Finland was gifted by Emperor Alexander I to his brother — Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich. After ascending the throne, Nicholas I presented the estate to his wife Alexandra Feodorovna, giving the territory the corresponding name — "Her Majesty's Own Dacha Alexandria."

Renella Pavilion (Tea House or Gothic Cottage)

VXM4+Q3 Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Petersburg: Neo-Gothic

Russia: Lost Monuments

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

Great Architects: Andrey Ivanovich Stakenschneider

Petersburg: Lost Architectural Monuments

The Renell Pavilion, or as it was sometimes called, the Tea or Gothic House, is one of the many diverse park pavilions that appeared in Peterhof during the reign of Nicholas I. "During the Empress's stay in Palermo (the wife of Nicholas I), she liked a Gothic house with multifaceted pointed towers at the corners of an elongated quadrangle. Rough sketches of this building made on the spot were sent to St. Petersburg with the order for Stakenschneider to build the Renell Pavilion according to them in Znamenka, on the shore."

Znamenka Estate

Saint Petersburg Highway, 115, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198517

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

Znamenka (formerly also known as the Znamenka Manor, Znamenka Dacha) is a former estate on the Peterhof Road. To the west, it borders the "Alexandria" park, to the east — the "Mikhailovka" estate. It is bounded by the Gulf of Finland to the north and the Peterhof Road to the south.

Stable yard in Znamenka

Aleksandrovskaya St., 8, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198517

Russia: Lost Monuments

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

Petersburg: Lost Architectural Monuments

The Znamensky Stable Yard was a spacious complex, featuring arched gates with wrought iron doors, resembling a palace. It included a riding arena for guests, ten horse stalls, an infirmary, smithies, and living quarters for the staff. Exhibitions of purebred horse breeds were held here, attracting horse breeding enthusiasts and owners of stud farms. The General Inspector of Cavalry, Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich the Elder, was involved in this endeavor and had a great passion for horses.

Chapel in the name of Venerable Joseph the Hymnographer

Ropshinskoye Highway / Petergofskoye Highway, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198517

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

The chapel in the pseudo-Russian style was built in 1868 with the personal funds of Petty Officer Ivan Vasilyev of the Naval Cadet Corps, in memory of the miraculous deliverance from death of His Majesty Emperor Alexander II during the assassination attempt on him on April 4, 1866. The main part of the money was contributed by the petty officer himself. The amount equaled his salary for three years. The rest was collected by local residents.

Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

Saint Petersburg Highway, 115, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198517

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

Great Architects: Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli

The stone church was first erected on this site in 1767 by the architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. And now, on the grounds of Znamenka, there is a unique feature, an architectural monument that has come down to us from the depths of the 18th century. The Peter and Paul Church is modest in size, concise, and elegant. It can rightfully be considered the oldest functioning church in Peterhof.

Mikhaylovka (Mikhaylovskaya Dacha or Mikhaylovskoye Estate)

Saint Petersburg Highway, 109, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198515

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

Mikhaylovka (also known as "Mikhaylovskaya Dacha" and "Mikhaylovskoye Estate") is a 19th-century palace and park ensemble on the Peterhof Road, which before the revolution belonged to the descendants of Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich Romanov, son of Emperor Nicholas I. The park territory is also part of the state natural reserve of regional significance, the Southern Coast of the Neva Bay.

Church of Saint Olga, Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess

VX8R+94 Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

Sovereign Nicholas I, immensely loving his children, bought land and established country estates for each son. Thus, his youngest son, Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich, was gifted the Mikhailovskaya Dacha. Among the numerous buildings of the princely estate, the house church stood out distinctly, consecrated in the name of Saint Princess Olga – the heavenly patroness of Grand Duchess Olga Feodorovna, the wife of Mikhail.

Cottage Palace

VWHW+95 Petrodvortsovy District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

In the Footsteps of Soviet Films

Petersburg: Neo-Gothic

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

Great Architects: Andrey Ivanovich Stakenschneider

Following in the footsteps of: "Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson," a film walk through Latvia, Estonia, Abkhazia, and St. Petersburg

The Cottage Palace (English: cottage) is the central architectural structure of the palace and park ensemble of Alexandria, built using elements of the Neo-Gothic style in 1826–1829 for the family of Emperor Nicholas Pavlovich according to the design by architect Menelas, with an extension by Shtakenshteider. In the film *The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson*, the Cottage "played" the role of Milverton's mansion.

Vorontsov Count's Palace - Novoznamenka Estate

2 Chekistov St., Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198206

Imperial Parks of Peterhof: Alexandria, Znamenka, and Mikhailovka

Vorontsov Dacha (Novoznamenka) is the estate of Chancellor Mikhail Vorontsov located on the Peterhof Road near Saint Petersburg. Founded in the 1720s, its current appearance was shaped by several reconstructions in the 1750s, 1880s, and 1960s. It is one of the few surviving examples of an Elizabethan Baroque country estate, featuring elements of Classicism that were new to Russia. The estate ensemble includes the main house — a three-story palace with a belvedere, the "Gothic House," a landscape park, and ponds. The estate park stretches along the Peterhof Highway; other ponds of the estate, formed based on the Sosnovka River bed, are located along the modern Pionerstroya Street and extend to the Sosnovaya Polyana forest park.