The Church of the Savior on Blood in Saint Petersburg represents the defining achievement of Alfred Parland, a project that occupied the architect for 25 years until its final completion in 1907. This structure solidified his reputation within the Russian Revival style, demonstrating his meticulous oversight of both the grand masonry design and intricate decorative elements.
Early Education and Professional Beginnings
Born in Saint Petersburg in 1842, Parland came from a family of Scottish and German descent. His academic foundation began at the 4th Gymnasium before he attended the Stuttgart Polytechnical School. In 1862, he enrolled in the Imperial Academy of Arts, where his student work earned him five separate medals. Upon his graduation in 1871, he was awarded the Large gold medal, which included a grant for foreign travel.
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Parland practiced primarily within the framework of eclectic architecture, balancing historical motifs with contemporary requirements. Shortly after his graduation, he designed the Holy Resurrection Cathedral for the Coastal Monastery of Saint Sergius between 1877 and 1884. His later work included the 1896 renovation of the Znamenskaya Church of the Life-Guards Horse-Grenadier Regiment in Petergof. Beyond individual buildings, he contributed to the urban landscape through the design of the intricate fencing along the Griboyedov Canal, which utilized early modernist ironwork techniques.
Academic and Professional Recognition
Parland balanced his design practice with a significant career as an educator and government consultant. He received an appointment as a professor at the Imperial Academy of Arts, where he lectured on Greek and Roman architecture. His dedication to the field was acknowledged in 1905 when he became an honorary member of the Academy. Following the completion of his most significant church project, he joined the staff of the Ministry of the Imperial Court and later participated in the Committee for the Restoration of the Kazan Cathedral between 1910 and 1911.
Final Years
Throughout his career, Parland remained centered in Saint Petersburg. He never married and had no children. Following the political and social shifts in Russia, he was rechristened as Attik Aleksandrovich Parland in 1916. He died in his home city in 1919 and was interred at the Smolensky Lutheran Cemetery on Vasilyevsky Island.
Fast facts
- Born: 1842, Saint Petersburg
- Died: 1919, Saint Petersburg
- Education: Imperial Academy of Arts
- Notable Work: Church of the Savior on Blood
- Movement: Eclectic architecture
- Awards: Large gold medal of the Imperial Academy of Arts (1871)
- Burial Site: Smolensky Lutheran Cemetery
- Languages: German
Questions readers ask
What is the Church of the Savior on Blood known for in relation to Parland?
It is considered his masterpiece and the primary work of his life, taking 25 years to complete.
Where is Alfred Parland buried?
He is buried at the Smolensky Lutheran Cemetery in Saint Petersburg.
Achievements
- Notable work: Church of the Savior on Blood
- Large gold medal of the Imperial Academy of Arts
- Movement: eclectic architecture
- Trained at Imperial Academy of Arts
