Summer is the perfect time for exploring the surroundings of St. Petersburg, where numerous palaces, parks, and pavilions open for visitors. In Peterhof, located just half an hour from the city, you will find not only the famous palace and park ensemble but also the wonderful park "Alexandria," which transforms into a lush green kingdom during the warm season.
Visitors to the park stroll along its many paths, relax on the local beach, or simply sit in the shade of the massive trees. The more curious can visit the "Cottage" Palace, the Farmer's Palace, or the remarkable Gothic Chapel, which is the focus of today’s story.
How to Get There
You can reach the "Alexandria" park by taking any minibus heading to Peterhof or Lomonosov. The stops to get off at are "Palace Telegraph Station Museum" or "Alexandria." These minibuses depart from the "Avtovo" metro station.
There is also a railway station, "New Peterhof," located about 1.5 km from the park. On weekends, it might be a good idea to take the train to "Alexandria" — minibuses can be hot, crowded with tourists, and you could easily get stuck in traffic on the way back.
The chapel is open only in the summer. The ticket price for foreign visitors is 600 rubles (2024). The ticket includes a short tour, lasting no more than 15–20 minutes. Entrance to the park costs an additional 700 rubles.
A Bit of History
The chapel, in the Gothic style unusual for us, was laid on May 24, 1831, in the western part of the "Alexandria" park. The site for construction was chosen by Emperor Nicholas I himself. Despite its whimsical style, the chapel is an Orthodox church dedicated to St. Alexander Nevsky.
The chapel’s architect was Karl Friedrich Schinkel, a Prussian architect and painter. The choice of both the architect and the building style is unsurprising, as the structures in "Alexandria" were created according to the tastes of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, born Princess Friederike Louise Charlotte Wilhelmine of Prussia.
The chapel served as a private church for several emperors, from Nicholas I to Nicholas II. Services were mainly held here in the summer. In addition to religious holidays, services in the chapel were held on the anniversaries of the emperors' coronations, weddings, births, and name days. During the war, the chapel suffered damage both inside and out, with its interiors affected by fire.
From September 26 to 28, 2006, the chapel housed the coffin containing the remains of Empress Maria Feodorovna. During her reburial, the remains of Alexander III’s wife retraced the same path from Denmark to St. Petersburg that the young Maria Sophie Frederikke Dagmar had once traveled on her way to become an empress.
That concludes the story of this extraordinary architectural monument. After visiting, you can continue your acquaintance with Peterhof in the famous gardens or the Grand Peterhof Palace.
In summary:
- The "Alexandria" park is an excellent spot for summer relaxation, offering the chance to visit several attractions in one day;
- The chapel is open only in the summer and closes during rain or high humidity—plan your visit accordingly;
- Don’t forget to bring your camera and impress your friends with pictures of this unusual building.
