The Church of the Resurrection near the Varshavsky Rail Terminal was built in the early years of the 20th century, completed just in time for the outbreak of the First World War. The fate of this building reflected the complexity of the historical era. There was a warehouse, an office, and even a parachute jumping tower. In the middle of the XX century the area near the church was used for the tram ring, and a control centre was located nearby.
Obvodny Channel. Varshavsky Rail Terminal and the Church of the Resurrection of Christ of Alexander Nevsky sobriety brotherhood. 1908-1909, photo by K.Bulla atelier
In the 1980s, the state's attitude towards religion changed, and the church building was returned to the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church. It was renovated, and now it is one of the parishes of the Orthodox Church. On a small square near the church, where tram cars used to rest, a small garden was laid out and a monument to the imperial family - Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra - was erected.
There is also a stall selling baked goods. It is traditionally believed that church baked goods are the most delicious, tastier than in ordinary bakeries. That's probably true. The stall was not open and I was unable to buy bread or pastries to test this assertion.
At the back of the garden there is a small one-storey building. It now houses the church canteen. This building has a distinctive shape and layout. I don't remember what this place looked like when there was a tram ring here, but I immediately thought that this building looked very much like a control centre. I checked this assumption on the internet and found out that this was exactly what it looked like.
Another artefact of tram traffic is preserved in a neighbouring building. Trams made a full circle around the church building and drove out to the Obvodny Canal embankment. When turning right, they had to pass a red brick building. The pavement near this building is very narrow, and the tram car's turn created a danger for pedestrians. A passageway parallel to the street was built in this building especially for safe passage. There used to be colourful posters in this passage, inviting everyone to amateur art clubs and dances, and a House of Culture worked in the building.
At the end of the walk I photographed a view of the Obvodny Channel perspective near the Church of the Resurrection from the Warsaw Bridge. It was an ordinary walk-through shot, and I would not have included it in the publication if not for an unexpected find. While searching for an old postcard with a view of the church, I found another postcard capturing a perspective of the Obvodny Channel from the same point, but more than 100 years ago. At first glance it looks like the view has been completely transformed, but if you look closely you can recognise some of the buildings.
Obvodny Channel, 1903. Author of the photo N.N. Olshevsky
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| Smartphone | Google Pixel 3a |
| Location | Saint Petersburg, Russia |