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3753-20. Imperial Horse Cemetery at the Pensioner s Stable in Tsarskoe Selo. This cemetery is the final resting place for over 120 favorite horses of the Russian Emperors, from Alexander I to Nicholas II. The neat rows of white tombstones are the result of a major restoration project completed recently. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025Similar picturesLarge thumbnails | Use small thumbnails | View as slideshow |
 The stall labeled "Moskva" that honors a favorite horse of Emperor Nicholas I in Pensioner Stable (Pensionnaya Konyushnya) in Alexander Park, Tsarskoe Selo. This horse, a veteran of military reviews like the one in Elisavetgrad, spent its retirement in the stable built by the Emperor for his own and his predecessor s faithful steeds. The nameplate was reinstated during the 2024-2025 restoration of the pavilion. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Baroque stone capital (likely from the dismantled Monbijou Pavilion) featuring reliefs of putti (cherubs), now displayed as a decorative artifact at the entrance of the Pensioner Stable in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Horse Pension and horse cemetery (under restoration) in Alexandrovskiy Park of Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo, residence of Russian tsars). Near Sankt Petersburg, Russia, October 22, 2000  Overgrown cemetery of horses of Russian Tsars in Aleksandrovsky Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 30, 2011  Tomb of a horse Oriol of Tsar Nicholas II near Stables for Retired Horses (Pensionernye Koniushni) in Aleksandrovsky Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 30, 2011  Turkish Bath, a picturesque pavilion situated on a small peninsula in the Great Pond in Catherine Park. Commissioned by Emperor Nicholas I, this was the last structure built in the imperial park, completed between 1850 and 1852. It was designed by Ippolito Monighetti, who used the appearance of a Turkish mosque as his inspiration. The building features a central gilded dome, a tall minaret crowned with a crescent, and intricate relief ornaments on the white facade. The pavilion serves as a victory monument to the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  The central alley leading to the Arsenal Pavilion, a red-brick neo-Gothic structure designed by Adam Menelaws. Completed in 1834, the Arsenal resembles a medieval castle with crenellated towers and massive arched windows. It was originally built to house Nicholas I s vast collection of medieval arms and armor. The straight alley is a remnant of the formal layout from the earlier "Monbijou" pavilion that stood here, now framed by the mature trees of the surrounding landscape park. After severe damage in WWII, the building was restored and reopened in 2016 as a museum displaying imperial weaponry. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  A poetic tribute "Pushkin was here" to the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin in Catherine Park. The symbols on the bench carry specific meanings related to his time at the Imperial Lyceum (located just nearby), where he studied from 1811 to 1817. The Bicorne Hat (Cocked Hat): This represents the uniform worn by the students of the Imperial Lyceum. The Open Book: A symbol of his literary genius and his constant immersion in reading and writing poetry, often done while wandering this very park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Meadow and Pensioners Stable in Alexander Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 18, 2021  Pensioners Stables and Horse Cemetery in Aleksandrovsky Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 30, 2011  White, irregular, lumpy masses of some soft polypore? mushrooms on a lawn in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  The diverse visual language of mourning in the "Alley of Heroes," showing a mix of permanent granite monuments and temporary graves decorated with flags, including the Russian Imperial black-yellow-white tricolor and a Soviet red banner. In the foreground, the polished black headstone of Ivan Vladimirovich Semenov (1995-2024) features a color portrait of the 28-year-old soldier, while nearby, two women stand amidst the graves, highlighting the cemetery as an active site of personal grief. The scene captures the juxtaposition of varied ideological symbols--imperial, communist, and modern state--united within the shared space of military sacrifice. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Stables for Retired Horses (Pensionernye Koniushni) in Alexander Park of Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 21, 2009  Ancient oak trunk in Alexander Park showcases the sculptural quality of the park s veteran trees. The trunk features a massive, gnarled root flare and deep, craggy bark fissures, indicators of its significant age (likely over 200 years). These "veteran trees" are living monuments from the imperial era. Northern part of Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Art installation titled "Portrait of a One-Year-Old Boy with a Sheep" by the artist Artem Filatov as part of the "Crypto/Farm" exhibition held at the Imperial Farm in the Tsarskoe Selo State Museum-Reserve. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  The dense visual cacophony of the cemetery s "temporary" section, where rows of wooden crosses are submerged in a sea of Russian tricolors and military intelligence (GRU/Spetsnaz) flags bearing the bat insignia. In the foreground, the grave of Kirill Arkadyevich Sharkov (1975-2025), a 49-year-old casualty, is marked by a simple cross and a photo of him in uniform, surrounded by wreaths in patriotic red, white, and blue colors. The scene conveys the sheer volume of recent losses, with flags fluttering chaotically over uneven mounds of earth, while a tractor in the far left background hints at the ongoing expansion of the burial grounds. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Monument to Alexander Lanskoy (often referred to as the Pamyatnik Lanskomu or simply the marble pedestal/urn), located on the Rose Field (Rozovoe Pole) in Catherine Park. It was erected by Catherine the Great in memory of her young favorite, Alexander Lanskoy, who died suddenly in 1784 at the age of 26. The monument is an example of Neoclassical funerary art, likely designed by Antonio Rinaldi or possibly Giacomo Quarenghi. It features a high pedestal made of grey and pink marble, adorned with bas-reliefs and inscriptions (though these are often weathered). Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Pack of stray dogs resting at the entrance of Alexander Palace in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 29, 2010  Northern honey mushrooms (Armillaria borealis) on a lawn in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Caps of northern honey mushrooms (Armillaria borealis) on a lawn in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Caps of northern honey mushrooms (Armillaria borealis) on a lawn in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Northern honey mushrooms (Armillaria borealis) on a lawn near Arsenal in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Ramp Alley (Rampovaya Alleya) whic is a historic avenue in Catherine Park, known for its grand canopy of ancient trees and its connection to imperial history. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  A monument to V. I. Lenin in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), suburb of Saint Petersburg. This place was originally occupied by an Orthodox Cathedral (a commemorative wooden cross was erected recently). Russia, April 8, 1999.  White-Stone Gate of Fiodorovsky Gorodok near Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 23, 2016  Marble woman resting on a tomb in Necropolis of Alexander Nevsky Lavra (Lazarevskoe Cemetery). Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 29, 2014  Old tombstones in Volkovo Cemetery. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 4, 2007  Bronze sculpture of Marcus Cocceius Nerva (reigned 96-98 AD), the first of the "Five Good Emperors" of Rome on the "Great Lawn" (Parterre) of the Landscape Park, directly in front of the Granite Terrace in Catherine Park. He is depicted seated, draped in a toga that exposes his muscular torso, holding a scroll (a symbol of law or wisdom) in his right hand. Catherine the Great and her successors viewed their own reign through the lens of Enlightened Absolutism, often drawing parallels between the Russian Empire and the Pax Romana. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Mushrooms Plicaturopsis crispa on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Caps of mushrooms Plicaturopsis crispa on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Young mushrooms Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Lane paved by old tombstones in Volkovo Cemetery. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 4, 2007  Ancient linden alley near the Feodorovsky Gorodok (Fyodorovsky Town) which is a remnant of the park s imperial landscape design. The gnarled, dark trunks of the linden trees (Tilia) create a solemn, cathedral-like atmosphere. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Rows of tombstones of Al Khor Cemetery. North from Al Khor, Qatar, December 5, 2014  Oak mazegill mushrooms (Daedalea quercina) on a stump in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Close-up of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Fall colors of maples along Krestovy Canal. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Corticioid mushrooms Plicatura nivea on a cut surface of a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Growth of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Texture of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Underside of caps of mushrooms Plicaturopsis crispa on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Mushrooms Plicaturopsis crispa together with Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Corticioid mushrooms Plicatura nivea on logs in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Maple alley near Chinese Bridges of Krestovy Canal in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Round patch of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Soft edge of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Corticioid mushrooms Plicatura nivea with a slug on a cut surface of a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Close-up of soft edge of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Fall colors at Big Lamsky Pond (Bolshoy Lamskoy Prud). Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Large area covered by corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  White Tower in Alexander Park of Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 21, 2009  Pyramid (pet cemetery) in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 23, 2019  Texture of large area covered by corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Mixed forest texture, highlighting the interplay between deciduous and coniferous species. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Forest interior with rich, layered complexity of mixed deciduous plantings. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  A birch grove in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. The composition is defined by the striking, repeating vertical lines of the white birch trunks. This "bar code" pattern creates a strong visual rhythm that cuts through the soft, chaotic texture of the foliage. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  The diverse visual languages of mourning in the "Alley of Heroes," contrasting a solemn monochrome engraving of a soldier in full combat gear--distinguished by the Order of Courage medal--with the vibrant, smiling color portrait of Yuri Bogdanov on the adjacent grave. The background is saturated with a chaotic array of flags, including the black-yellow-white Russian Imperial tricolor and red Soviet banners, visually capturing the "hybrid" ideological landscape, where conflicting historical symbols are merged to support the war effort. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Cemetery of Tsar s dogs in Tsarskoe Selo (former Pushkin), a suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, February 4, 2013  "Alley of Heroes," a section of the cemetery dedicated to Russian soldiers killed in the war in Ukraine. In the foreground stands a permanent black granite monument featuring a detailed engraving of a soldier in combat gear with the "Z" insignia and a stoic epitaph reading, "Having given everything, I will not rise from the dust... I, having killed the fear within myself, fought". The background reveals rows of additional graves densely adorned with wreaths and flags representing various military branches (including the VDV and Naval Infantry) and private military contractors, illustrating the ongoing scale and diverse composition of the casualties. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  The initial "temporary" stage of burial, showing rows of fresh earthen mounds topped with simple wooden Orthodox crosses and small identification plaques. Despite the lack of permanent monuments, the graves are densely decorated with vibrant artificial flowers and a profusion of flags--including the Russian tricolor, a Soviet hammer-and-sickle banner, and the flag of Uzbekistan--highlighting the diverse origins and ideological affiliations of the recently deceased. The raw, uneven ground and the sheer number of identical crosses extending into the background visually confirm the high volume of recent casualties processed at the site. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Tomb of a Russian politician A. Sobchak in Nikolskoe Cemetery of Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 25, 2011  Lurid bolete mushrooms (Suillellus luridus, Russian name Poddubovik) on Dvortsovaya Street in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 18, 2024  Layered complexity of the mixed deciduous forest in Alexander Park. The image is a study in yellow, dominated by the luminous canopy of Norway maples and silver birches. The rough, dark bark of the oaks and maples provides a strong vertical rhythm that cuts through the delicate, hazy texture of the foliage. The white, paper-like bark of the birch trees adds a secondary visual accent typical of the Russian landscape. The composition includes a rich understory of turning shrubs--likely hazel or young rowan--which adds density and depth, grounding the soaring trunks in a thicket of earthy reds and browns. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Monument of a tsar Nicholas II in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 18, 2021  "Section 69 A" marker within the "temporary" burial sector, where fresh earthen mounds stretch toward a forested perimeter, contrasting the ordered numbering system with the raw immediacy of mass death. A solitary mourner in a green coat stands quietly by a cross, tending to flowers amidst a sea of Russian tricolors and unit flags, including the blue and yellow banner of the Aerospace Forces, adding a human scale to the vast, impersonal landscape of casualties. The scene highlights the rapid expansion of the cemetery, with the dense rows of wooden crosses indicating the continuous flow of new burials. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Room in Alexander Palace. Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin), suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 2, 2007  Piano in Alexander Palace. Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin), suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 2, 2007  Lamskoy Pond in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 23, 2016  Forest trail in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 23, 2016  Lower Lamsky Bridge (Nizhny Lamskoy Bridge). It acts as a dam between the ponds and the Kuzminka River. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  White caps of polypore mushroom Antrodiella pallescens(?) on a birch log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 18, 2024  Children s Island (Ostrov Detskogo Domika) of the Great Pond concealed within the dense autumn foliage in Catherine Park. Built in 1830 by architect Alexei Gornostayev, it was a playhouse created for the children of Emperor Nicholas I. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Billiard pool in Alexander Palace. Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin), suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 2, 2007  Fiodorovsky Cathedral in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Reading room in Alexander Palace. Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin), suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 2, 2007  Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Dipper Pond in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Third Lamskiy Bridge in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Krestovy Canal in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Chinese Theater in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Lamsky Pavilion in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Lamsky Bridge in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Vittslovsliy Canal in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Krestovy Bridge in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  The path, leading northeast from the Big Lamsky Pond, illustrating the transition into the more secluded "wilderness" areas of the park. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Chinese and Krestovy Bridges in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  View of Lamskiy Bridge in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Maples near Lamskiy Bridge in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Willows of Kitchen Pond in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Small Chinese Bridge in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Ruins of barracks of Railroad Corps in Alexander Park in Pushkin, former Tsarskoe Selo, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 7, 2017  Forest near Vittslovsliy Canal in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Krestovy Canal in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park of Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), a suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 25, 2017  View from meadow area in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Maples near Kitchen Building in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Road near Kitchen Pond in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Bend of Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013  Deceiver mushrooms (Laccaria laccata) in Alexander Park in Pushkin, former Tsarskoe Selo, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 7, 2017  Nizhne Lamsky Pond in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2013 |