Colors of History: Architectural Heritage and Restoration Technologies Discussed at the Alexander Nevsky Lavra

On August 26, 2026, the Holy Spirit Spiritual and Educational Center of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg hosted a scientific and practical symposium titled "Colors of History: Architectural Heritage and Modern Restoration Technologies (a Case Study of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra Ensemble)." The event was organized by the Worldwide St. Petersburg Club, the Organizing Committee of the Golden Trezzini Awards, and Friedlaender Paints Company.

The event was moderated by Natalia Sidorkevich, Chairwoman of the Board of the Worldwide St. Petersburg Club.

On behalf of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra, Hieromonk Lev (Chikhirin) welcomed the symposium participants and guests, reading a message from Bishop Veniamin of Kronstadt, Vicar of the St. Petersburg Diocese and Superior of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra. In his greeting, Bishop Veniamin emphasized the special significance of the symposium's theme: historical heritage represents not only architectural monuments, but also a living bond between generations and a testament to the spiritual and cultural history of the nation; preserving it means passing down the memory and experience of predecessors to future generations. The ruling bishop noted that the Lavra’s architectural ensemble had developed over centuries, with every church and artistic detail being part of the grand history of St. Petersburg and Russia. He stressed that today’s professional dialogue among historians, architects, conservators, and modern technology experts is particularly in demand, as new methods should help preserve the authenticity of monuments and carefully reveal their historical value. Bishop Veniamin wished the participants fruitful work, engaging professional interaction, and new ideas for the benefit of preserving our shared cultural heritage.

Welcome addresses were also delivered by Andrey Ermakov, Head of the Office of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation for the Northwestern Federal District; Alexey Mikhailov, Chairman of the Committee for the State Inspection and Protection of Historic and Cultural Monuments of St. Petersburg (KGIOP); and Anna Smirnova, General Director of Friedlaender Paints, member of the Council for Architecture and Urban Planning of the Leningrad Region and the North-West of Russia, and member of the Council for the Development of the New Russian Style and the "National Palette of Russia" project. Friedlaender Paints produces restoration materials based at the Nevskaya Palitra Artists' Colours Plant, the oldest paint factory in St. Petersburg, founded in 1899. Since 2025, the company has been a partner of the International Golden Trezzini Awards and supports the category "Best Implemented Project for Restoration of Religious Building in Russia," established jointly with the Awards' organizing committee.

A welcoming address was also delivered by Pavel Chernyakov, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Golden Trezzini Awards.

During the working session of the symposium, Pyotr Ershov, Leading Specialist of the Department of the State Register of Cultural Heritage Sites of KGIOP, architectural historian, and PhD in Art History, presented a paper titled "Domenico Trezzini and the Alexander Nevsky Lavra." He highlighted the defining role of Trezzini as the first architect of St. Petersburg and the author of the initial master plan for the monastery ensemble, commissioned by Peter the Great in the early 18th century. The speaker demonstrated how the compositional principles established by the architect predetermined the future development of the ensemble, while the chosen stylistic solutions resonated with Peter I’s vision of creating a new spiritual center of not merely city-wide, but imperial significance.

Architect-restorer and member of the Council of the St. Petersburg Branch of ICOMOS Olga Kryukova presented a report titled "The Ensemble of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra: Color Scheme of the Monastery Quadrangle." Drawing on the results of recently completed restoration work, she discussed archival and technological research that enabled the reconstruction of the original color schemes of the architectural monuments. She elaborated on the careful selection of paint materials—accounting for the appearance of facades in various weather conditions and under different angles of sunlight—as well as paint application methods and the collaboration between conservators and manufacturers. As Olga Kryukova noted, following the latest restoration, the monastery quadrangle has regained its historical facade colors.

The presentations were followed by a tea reception, during which guests exchanged impressions about the symposium in an informal setting.

The International Golden Trezzini Awards for Architecture and Design continue to accept entries. Submissions for the ninth season will be open through September 15, 2026. Participation is free, and entries are welcomed from architects, restorers, designers, and students from anywhere in the world. The winners will be announced on November 20, 2026, at a ceremony in the State Hermitage Museum.

The Worldwide St. Petersburg Club and the Organizing Committee of the Golden Trezzini Awards express their deep gratitude to the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra and Friedlaender Paints Company for co-hosting the symposium and for the high level of its organization.

Photo: Sergey Nemchinov