Alexander Newski Gedächtniskirche (Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church), Potsdam

The Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church in Potsdam stands as a significant symbol of the historical ties between Prussia and Russia. Commissioned by Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III and constructed between 1826 and 1829, this Russian Orthodox church was built to serve the Russian soldiers stationed in the Alexandrowka colony. It was named in memory of Tsar Alexander I, who passed away in 1825 and dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky, a canonized Russian prince.

Architecturally, the church is an exceptional example of early Russian historicism, blending traditional Old Russian architectural styles with elements of classicism. The design was conceived by Saint Petersburg court architect Vasily Petrovich Stasov, with additional stylistic contributions by the renowned Prussian architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. This combination of styles is evident in the church's exterior, where Byzantine-inspired Old Russian features coexist with classicist elements like pilaster strips, decorative friezes, and semicircular windows.

The church is not only the oldest Russian Orthodox structure in Western Europe modeled after Old Russian architecture but also a reflection of the Romantic era’s fascination with reviving national architectural traditions. Its construction was a diplomatic gesture, showcasing the close friendship between the Prussian and Russian courts. This relationship is further highlighted by the exchange of architectural designs, leading to the creation of a neo-Gothic counterpart of the Alexander Nevsky Church near Peterhof Palace in Russia, based on Schinkel’s designs.

Today, the Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes the Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin, further underscoring its cultural and historical significance.