FEODOROVSKY GORODOK AND FEODOROVSKY CATHEDRAL

FEODOROVSKY GORODOK

Across the Alexander Park, down the path from the palace Palace is Feodorovsky Gorodok, a tiny old Russia style town built by Nicholas II in the first decade of the 20th century as an attempt to return to the original Russian architecture and culture. Nicholas, unlike his earlier predecessor Peter the Great, loved all things Russian and had many ambitious plans for the Gorodok and the cathedral within it. But the First World War halted his plans, while the revolution ended them completely.

Currently the Gorodok still stands in semi-ruins, almost as symbol of things that could have been but never came to fruition. Reportedly some restoration has begun. But the area has not been completely abandoned: lots of things are going on inside, including a fully functioning privately owned restaurant in one of the courtyards. The former Grand Duchesses Maria and Anastasia’s infirmary and the buildings in the courtyard behind it have been converted to boarding rooms for the elderly who are too poor to afford housing and food.

Feodorovsky5 — Anastasia and Maria near their infirmary in Feodorovsky Gorodok

Feodorovsky6 — Feodorovsky Gorodok in 21st century.

Feodorovsky7 — Maria and Anastasia pose with some officers at the entrance of their infirmary in Feodorovsky Gorodok.

Feodorovsky8 — The grand duchesses’ infirmary as it looks in the 21st century.

FEODOROVSKY CATHEDRAL

Feodorovsky9 — In the distance, floating above treetops one can see the golden dome of the Feodorovsky Cathedral. As you walk through the tree-lined alley, the cathedral emerges.

Feodorovsky10 — Feodorovsky Cathedral was restored in 2005.

Feodorovsky11 — Above the parish entrance are the icons of Nicholas and Alexandra and the icon of St Seraphim of Sarov, the last Tsar’s and Tsarina’s favorite saint.

To get to the imperial entrance you need to walk around the cathedral to an area where you encounter the Nicholas II memorial, along with the four oak trees planted by Nicholas and Alexandra in 1909.

Feodorovsky13 — The four oaks planted by the imperial couple in the back of the cathedral

Feodorovsky14 — The imperial entrance to the Feodorovsky Cathedral, then and now (below)

Below are video recordings I made during my stay in Tsarskoe Selo in 2005.

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