Perched slightly elevated on a hillside in the Havel hills stands Forsthaus Nikolskoe. Directly opposite Pfaueninsel, this blockhouse is a sight to behold. It offers a tranquil retreat for hikers and drivers alike.
Forsthaus Nikolskoe owes its name to the Russian Grand Duke Nikolaj. He later became Tsar Nicholas I. Friedrich Wilhelm III had the house built for Nikolaj’s wife Charlotte. It was designed in the style of a Russian farmhouse. In 1819, the young couple visited Berlin. The house was inaugurated during this visit. It was christened Nikolskoe meaning belonging to Nikolaus.
Now, imagine stepping back to 1819. Friedrich Wilhelm III sought to enhance the landscape near Pfaueninsel. This island held special memories of his late wife Luise. He also wanted a suitable accommodation. The island location of the castle and garden area necessitated a regular ferry service. The royal family and the public loved the place.
The Russian House’s history is intertwined with the Prussian Russian brotherhood in arms against Napoleon. It also reflects Alexander I’s friendship with King Friedrich Wilhelm III. The name Nikolskoe comes from the Russian word Nikolskoje. It means belonging to Nikolai.
Friedrich Wilhelm’s eldest daughter Charlotte met Nikolaus during the Allied victory celebrations over Napoleon in Berlin 1814 and 1815. They married in Russia on July 13, 1817, at the request of Friedrich Wilhelm III and Alexander I.
In 1818, Friedrich Wilhelm III visited his daughter after the birth of his first grandchild, the future Alexander II. She was staying in Pawlowsk for the summer. Tsarina Maria Fjodorowna had decorated the park with typical Western European buildings. After the victory against Napoleon, Russian patriotism became fashionable. Maria Fjodorowna developed the idea of building a typical Russian village in the park.
The construction of Forsthaus Nikolskoe occurred between 1819 and 1820. The Garde Pionier Abteilung led by Capitain Adolf Snethlage carried out the work. They followed Carlo Rossi’s plan. The house was built in the Russian style using round wooden logs.
Friedrich Wilhelm III appointed his coachman Iwan Bockow as supervisor on June 19, 1820. Bockow’s duties included supervising the wooden house. He had to report damage immediately. Cleanliness and order were paramount. He also oversaw the sailors’ conduct. Serving refreshments was strictly forbidden.
On October 24, 1820, the Grand Duke couple Charlotte Alexandra and Nikolaus visited Berlin and Potsdam. Friedrich Wilhelm III proudly showed them the blockhouse for the first time. The naming of Nikolskoe may trace back to this visit. However the name Russian House remained popular. It is found in older travel descriptions.
From 1820, Friedrich Wilhelm III frequently visited Nikolskoe for tea. The Forsthaus Nikolskoe appears as a motif in tourist descriptions. It is also in Friedrich Wilhelm III’s order book for the Royal Porcelain Manufacture of Berlin KPM.
Near the Forsthaus Nikolskoe, an Evangelical church with Russian elements was consecrated on August 13, 1837. It was dedicated to Peter and Paul. Friedrich Wilhelm IV significantly influenced the plans.
After Friedrich Wilhelm III’s death, the royal tea room became deserted. In 1984, a fire damaged part of the Forsthaus. However, it was rebuilt true to the original.
Today Forsthaus Nikolskoe stands as a testament to a fascinating history. It is a place where Prussian and Russian connections intertwine. The Forsthaus Nikolskoe is more than just a building. It is a symbol of friendship, family, and architectural beauty.