Architecture and architects of the ensemble of St. Petersburg Teological Seminary

Tis article reviews the chronology and stylistic characteristics of the architectural ensemble of St. Petersburg Teological Seminary (now St. Petersburg Teological Academy) in the context of the history of the architecture of churches and public buildings in Russia. Te architectural ensemble was formed over the course of 70 years (1838 to early 1900’s). Te works of its main architects Apollon Schedrin and N. Markov, as well as those of N. Sychev, D. Lyushin, V. Yelkashev, A. Khrenov and Ye. Morozov, who took part in the expansion and reconstruction of the facilities, are reviewed. Te architectural analogs of the main building in the forms of classicism and of the church addition with elements of the Russian style and classicism are identified. Since there were no “first rate” architects among the designers of the ensemble (with the exception of Apollon Schedrin), all of the architects and builders strove to continue the architectural tradition of the first, main building. A continuity of style during the reconstruction and construction of additions to the seminary building is identified; this continuity allowed a well-balanced and holistic ensemble, characteristic of the architecture of St. Petersburg during the period of late classicism, to emerge. Te destruction of various buildings during the Soviet period notwithstanding, the architectural ensemble of the theological academy continues to be one of the most expressive and characteristic church and public buildings of St. Petersburg. Tis is aided by the improvements to the decoration of the church done in 2009-2011.