From the history of the Tsar's chambers at Trinity-Sergius Lavra during Soviet times

Abstract

The article deals with the history of the existence of the building of the Holy Royal Rooms of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra during the Soviet period, since the nationalization of the Lavra (1918) up to its complete transfer under the authority of the Moscow Patriarchate (1954). During this time the building was occupied by various organizations: a museum, a military department, a pedagogical technicum, a teachers' institute, a hospital, the Academy of Arts, a city theatre, and an art and crafts school. This article is the first attempt to give a fuller account of the existence of these organizations in a unique monument. The story is based on documentary material and the memories of eyewitnesses of those years.