Feodorovsky Gorodok and Feorodovsky Cathedral
FEODOROVSKY GORODOK
Across Alexander Park, down the path from the Alexander Palace, is Feodorovsky Gorodok, a tiny old Russia-style town built by Nicholas II in the first decade of the 20th century. The Tzar wanted the town to have the atmosphere of an old Russian town. This historic atmosphere would frame the Alexander Palace.
The Feodorovsky Gorodok (Town), included the Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral, the Martial Chamber, the infirmary of Grand Duchesses Anastasia and Maria, the former barracks of His Imperial Majesty’s Own Convoy, and the Tsar’s Railway Pavilion. There was much more Nicholas wanted to do in the Gorodok, but the First World War halted his plans, while the revolution ended them completely. The buildings surviving unchanged are the Feodorovsky Cathedral and the Martial Chamber (now the Museum of the History of the First World War).
Reportedly, the restoration of the Gorodok has begun. The area has not been completely abandoned: A fully functioning privately owned restaurant is 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.
1. The Tsarkoe Selo Train Station as it stood in the 20th century 2. What is left of the station, which is being restored
3. The barracks of his Imperial Majesty's Own Convoy
4. Maria and Anastasia's Infirmary. 5. Maria and Anastasia posing with officers at the entrance of the infirmary.
6. Badly damaged wall and tower. 7. Restoration work taking place.
FEODOROVSKY SOVEREIGN CATHEDRAL
The foundation of the Cathedral was laid on 20 August 1909, in the presence of Emperor Nicholas II and his family. The construction was financed by the tsar’s family.
The Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral became the house church for Emperor Nicholas II and his family. The Cathedral consisted of two churches, the upper which included the main altar dedicated to the Feodorovsky Icon of Our Lady and a side-chapel consecrated in honor of the Moscow Metropolitan Alexis, the all-Russia Miracle-Worker. The lower part of the Cathedral housed a Cave Church with the altar consecrated in the name of Saint Serafim of Serov the Miracle-Worker, and the private chapel of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. The Feodorovskaya icon of Our Lady, the main icon of the Cathedral, is the patroness of the Romanov dynasty. The icon was kept in the upper church.
In 1913-1917 the Martial Chamber complex was built near the cathedral. At the start of the war against Germany in 1914 it was decided to open a portrait gallery of the holders of the St. George Cross in the Chamber building. In 1918 the art collections were divided among various museums in Leningrad.
In 1991 the Feodorovky Sovereign Cathedral opened its doors to believers again. The entire complex of buildings is closely connected with the Russian Orthodox Church and with the life of the last Russian Emperor; the church allocates funds for the restoration work. The Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral was reconsecrated on 29 February 1992. Regular liturgies are carried out in the Cave Church. Renovation of the Cathedral was finished in 2013, the 300th anniversary of its original construction.
Inside view - the icons of Alexandra and Nicholas can be seen in the background
Main entrance
Outside view of the cathedral and a bust dedicated to Nicholas II
A view of the inside
Entrance to the "cave church" where the Emperor and his family worshipped
The Emperor's Stairs (to the lower church)
The lower church as it looks today. No photos were located for the intimate atmosphere of this chapel to be recreated. The design is modern.