Guardhouse (general article)

Categories / Army. Navy/Quarters, Arsenals, Riding-halls, Guardhouses, etc.
Categories / Architecture/Architectural Monuments/Public Buildings and Edifices
GUARDHOUSE (Gauptvahta, from German Haupt Wachte - main guard), a military prison for military administrative temporary confinement of servicemen for prejudicial conduct to military discipline. In the 18th century, the Guardhouse was the main guard stationed by a military unit (in Imperial palaces, state establishments, public places, such as markets, squares, etc.), and also the premises, where such guards were stationed. These quarters were used, among other things, for detention of offenders and military servicemen arrested for breaches of discipline. As of the late 18th century, the term Guardhouse was no longer used to designate the guard, and in the 1860s, the guards' quarters were no longer known by this term. The word remained in the names of buildings erected especially for guard quarters, as well as a name of a main garrison prison. Among the guardhouse buildings still standing today is the Guardhouse at Sennoy Market (37 Sadovaya Street; built in 1818-20, architect A.I. Beretti, rebuilt in 1891), where the officer keeping law and order at Sennoy Market used to lodge, and the Main Officer Guardhouse (building 12 at St. Peter and Paul Fortress; built in 1748-47, rebuilt in 1907-08), where the fortress guard was lodged, are worth mentioning. Today, the Guardhouse is the prison in the building of the military headquarters' office of St. Petersburg garrison (3 Sadovaya Street ; see Ordinancehaus).

G. V. Kalashnikov. Beretti Vikenty Ivanovich
Sadovaya St./Saint Petersburg, city, house 3
Sadovaya St./Saint Petersburg, city, house 37
Петропавловская крепость, 12
St. Peter and Paul fortress
Commandant's Department (Ordonansgaus)