Nikolaevsky Palace (Palace of Labour)

Categories / Architecture/Architectural Monuments/Palaces
NIKOLAEVSKY PALACE (4 Truda Square), an architectural monument of Eclecticism. It was constructed in 1853-1861 (architect A.I. Stakensсhneider) for Grand Prince Nikolay Nikolaevich (the Elder). The massive three-storey building stands in the depth of a park that is enclosed by a cast-iron grille. The facades are accomplished with three tiers of pilasters and decorative details. The original decor of the entrance hall, double-flighted staircase and several gala halls have been preserved. The ensemble of Nikolaevsky Palace comprises a manege and service buildings. In 1863, the palace's Church of Our Lady the Joy of All Who Sorrow, painted by artist L. Tirsch, was consecrated. In 1873-74, in the church a lower side-altar was constructed - a replica of the Ossuary of the Holy Sepulchre (architect F.S. Kharlamov). In the second half of the 1880s, the apartments of Grand Prince's children were reconstructed and refurbished. In 1894, Nikolayevsky Palace was bought by the treasury and changed to the Women’s Institute of Grand Princess Xenia Alexandrovna (architects I. A. Stefanits, R.A. Gedike). In 1917, the edifice was allocated to Petrograd Soviet of Trade Unions and was renamed the Palace of Labour. The Regional Soviet and a number of branch trade unions were located there, later they were accompanied by the Higher School for Professional Development, which required the reconstruction of the interiors. Nowadays, a part of the Nikolaevsky Palace premises is used for commercial purposes. In 1999, church services were renewed; it is currently under restoration.

References: Столпянский П. Н. Старый Петербург: Дворец труда: Ист. очерк. СПб., 1923; Белякова З. И. Николаевский дворец. СПб., 1997.

V. V. Antonov. Gedike Robert Andreevich
Kharlamov Fedor Semenovich
Nikolay Nikolaevich (Sr.), Grand Prince
Stakensсhneider Andrey Ivanovich
Stefanits Ivan Alexandrovich
Tirsch Ludwig
Xenia Alexandrovna, Grand Princess
Truda Square/Saint Petersburg, city, house 4
Белякова З. И. Николаевский дворец. СПб., 1997
Столпянский П. Н. Старый Петербург: Дворец Труда: Ист. очерк. СПб., 1923 1861