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At one of the entrances to the city of Pushkin, on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, stands an architectural landmark that at first glance seems to have moved from the land of the pharaohs to Russia. It is the (Egyptian Gates), located at the entrance to Alexander Park in the former imperial complex of (Tsarskoye Selo). But what brought it there?

A Pharaonic Gate at the Palaces

The gate was built between 1827 and 1830 by the Scottish architect Adam Menelas, who worked in Russia and participated in the construction of several structures in Tsarskoye Selo. Emperor Nicholas I approved its design in December 1826, and it was initially known as the (Kozmin Gates), named after the road coming from the village of Kozmino.

However, the choice of the Egyptian appearance was not just a fleeting aesthetic decision. Europe witnessed, during the 19th century, a widespread wave of interest in ancient Egyptian civilization, especially after the French campaign in Egypt, which helped draw the attention of artists, architects, and researchers to its monuments and arts.

This influence also reached Russia, where buildings and structures inspired by elements of Egyptian architecture emerged; among them were the Sphinx, pharaonic decorations, and architectural compositions with an Egyptian character. In Tsarskoye Selo specifically, multiple architectural trends intertwined, with buildings inspired not only by Egyptian influences but also by classical, Gothic, Chinese, and other styles.

Napoleon Behind the Egyptian Tale

The gate also carries an indirect historical echo, as the reign of Alexander I, brother of Nicholas I, was associated with the war that Russia fought against Napoleon, which ended with the Russian victory in 1812. Years before that, Napoleon had led his campaign in Egypt, an event that left a significant impact on European interest in the monuments of Egyptian civilization.

The gate consists of two massive towers made of brick, which were then covered with cast iron plates adorned with decorations inspired by ancient Egyptian art. These decorations include scenes, characters, and symbols related to ancient Egyptian life and beliefs, including concepts of the afterlife and deities in Egyptian mythology.

These details were not merely products of imagination; their design was based on European drawings and studies that documented the monuments of ancient Egypt, including works prepared by artists and scholars involved in the French campaign, which were later compiled into extensive publications documenting the monuments, nature, and civilization of Egypt.

A Gate for Guarding and a Memory of War

Despite its striking decorative appearance, the gate was not merely a display piece; the towers contained rooms designated for guarding, while the area between them was enclosed by gates and an iron fence, combining the security function with exceptional architectural character.

During World War II, the Tsarskoye Selo complex suffered significant damage during the German occupation, and the Egyptian Gates did not escape the effects of the war, as they sustained considerable damage, yet they remained standing and did not disappear from the scene.

After the war, the gate underwent restoration work and was painted dark green for a period of its history, before later returning to the light sandy color that enhances its appearance inspired by Egyptian architecture.

In 2004, a large-scale restoration process was completed aimed at restoring its historical details, allowing the (Egyptian Gates) to continue to stand today as one of the most prominent landmarks of the city of Pushkin, as if it were a piece of ancient Egyptian memory that unexpectedly settled at the gates of the Russian imperial palaces.