PHOTO: early 20th century view of the entrance portal of the Imperial
Railway Pavilion, situated near the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo
It has been 10 months since my last report on the progress of the restoration of the Imperial Railway Pavilion at Tsarskoye Selo, therefore, I am pleased to share the following update . . . .
The restoration of the interiors of this historic, early 20th century building continues . . . in late June of this year, a group of experts began restoration work on of the once grand entrance portal of the pavilion.
For ten days, from 29th June to 8th July, students of specialized educational institutions in St. Petersburg and Moscow, under the guidance of experienced mentors, were engaged in the restoration of the historical décor of the entrance portal of the building. This project, organized by the Union of Restorers of Russia with the support of the Moscow Government, offered a unique opportunity for young professionals to put theoretical knowledge in practice, working with a genuine architectural monument.
CLICK on the images above to enlarge and see each photo in greater detail
The current Imperial Railway Pavilion, built in 1912 by the architect Vladimir Aleksandrovich Pokrovsky (1871-1931), served as the main terminus for the Imperial Trains of Russia’s last Tsar. After the October 1917 Revolution, the building lost its original function and remained in a terrible state of disrepair and neglect for nearly a century. Over the past decades, its facades, once decorated with sandstone carvings of double-headed eagles and other symbols of the Russian Empire, have deteriorated significantly, some fragments being covered with layers of black soot and grime.
In the course of their work, the experts and students thoroughly cleaned the surfaces from dirt, strengthened the structure of the stone with special compounds and filled the cracks using materials compatible in density and shade with the original.
CLICK on the images above to enlarge and see each photo in greater detail
The project was led by Khristina Shumilova, a member of the Union of Restorers of Russia, a lecturer at the Department of Restoration at St Petersburg University and Deputy General Director of the Heritage Restoration Workshop. Her many years of experience in working with stone sculpture and stone art products guaranteed a high professional level of execution of all stages. The student group included ten representatives of St. Petersburg State University and two students of the Moscow 26 KADR College, which made it possible to combine the traditions of the two restoration schools within the framework of one project.
Upon completion of their work in restoring the decorative elements of the entrance portal, students were presented with certificates. Thanks to their efforts, the façade the entrance portal is now protected from further damage caused by the elements, and these students have made their own personal contribution to the preservation of the historical appearance of the Imperial Railway Pavilion.
© Paul Gilbert. 13 September 2026
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