Alexandria Park and the Gothic Chapel
The tsar's "dacha" of Nicholas I. Previously — "Dolgorukov's empty places".
East of the Lower Park lies Alexandria, from 1830 until 1917 the favorite residence of Russian emperors. It was named after Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. The history of the place is colorful: Menshikov began building a palace here called «Moncourage» — «My Courage», but after his disgrace the lands went to the Dolgoruky princes, who did nothing, and the people nicknamed the plot «Dolgoruky's Empty Places». Under Anna Ioannovna there was a hunting park here with deer, wild boars, and even buffalo. Nicholas I turned Alexandria into a landscape park, and its symbol became the Gothic Chapel designed by the Prussian architect Schinkel — the imperial family's house church, resembling a lacy carved casket.
Walks in Peterhof / Day trips
🏰 Alexandria Park: Nicholas I's Gothic
Across the entire Lower Park — into the quiet landscape park of Alexandria: the Gothic Chapel, the farm for English cows and the cozy Cottage Palace.
🥾 All of Peterhof in a day: from west to east
A big hike for those who love walking: from Sobstvennaya Dacha through the entire Lower Park, the Colonist Islands and the cathedral — to the Cottage Palace in Alexandria. Return by bus or taxi.