Ratnaya Palata (Martial Chamber) in Tsarskoye Selo

I remember this building well before the restoration. It looked rather derelict, the purpose of the building was a mystery. The architecture of this building is clearly stylised in Old Russian architecture, and this would be easy to explain if it were a church or cathedral building. Actually, a large cathedral, stylised in the Old Russian style, is located nearby - it was built in the early 20th century, just at the time when architects were fascinated by such stylisations. It looks appropriate and beautiful when we consider the church buildings.

Ordinary residential houses and service buildings of this period, as a rule, look different - it can be eclecticism or Art Nouveau, most often. Such buildings can easily be adapted for a variety of purposes, housing flats, shops, offices - almost anything. But this irregularly shaped building with towers and narrow windows - what was it built for? The story behind the construction of this building became widely known during the restoration that took place in the 2010s. Before the restoration, the building was used alternately as a club, as residential flats, as workshops and even as a warehouse. But after the restoration, the building was returned to its intended use: a World War I museum was opened here.

The World War I Museum was originally established in 1914 and was already abolished in 1918. On the facade of the building there is a relief image of a double-headed eagle. The coat of arms in the form of a double-headed eagle was one of the symbols of imperial power in Russia. The Soviet authorities often destroyed symbols of autocracy, but the image of the double-headed eagle on the wall of the Ratnaya Palata survived and was carefully restored.

Normally the courtyard of this museum is closed and the green gates are padlocked, but during the Great War Festival with re-enactors it is open to the public. I took the opportunity to walk around the courtyard and scrutinise the architecture of the building. A large screen at the main entrance was showing various historical films. In another courtyard there were games and workshops for children. Several vans with baked goods and drinks were very popular with visitors.