Here, in the middle of Germany lies what you can least expect - a tiny Russian village Alexandrowka. It consists of thirteen Russian-style wooden houses, a garden and a church. The colony looks remarkably authentic, although interestingly enough it was designed by an Italian architect. But how could this all happen and why?
After the Saxon-Prussian army was defeated in the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt in 1806, the Kingdom of Prussia was occupied by the French Empire until 1812. The occupation led to Prussia’s participation in the French-led invasion of Russia in 1812. Around 1,000 Russian soldiers found themselves held in Prussia, including 62 in Potsdam. They formed a choir of the First Prussian Regiment of the Guards.
King Frederick William III decided to build a colony for these men north of Potsdam and named it in memory of Russian Tsar Alexander I. Alexandrowka was built between 1826 and 1827 and the remaining 12 soldiers-singers moved in. To provide the Russian guests with a place to worship, the Alexander Nevski Memorial Church was built on a hill nearby.
A few descendants of the former inhabitants continue to live in the colony today. House Number 2 has been converted into a museum. In 1999 UNESCO declared Alexandrowka a World Heritage Site.
Read more https://alexandrowka.de/english/
The village can be visited any time without an entrance fee.
Written by Nik Frost
Discuss this with the author and others
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.