Did you know that Johann-Gottfried Schädel, the architect of the Great Lavra Bell Tower, found it difficult to leave his service in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra?

In honor of the visit of Empress Elizabeth to Kyiv in 1744, Schädel designed a Triumphal arch, that opened the entrance to the Monastery. It contained sculptures and paintings and meant to glorify the “virtues” of the Monarch. As a reward for his work, Schädel asked permission to finally leave Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery and go to Prussia. However, the Empress did not want to let the architect go. She gave the task to Schädel to create the design of St. Andrew’s Church (which, all in all, was never realized). She also increased the salary of the architect at the expense of Lavra. Besides, all underpaid sums of money for his previous years of work were paid out. Shortly after the final payment, Schädel‘s old contract with the Monastery was terminated, and it looks that after that he commenced his secular service. Since then, his name has never been mentioned in Lavra’s documents. Although, Schädel still failed to leave Kyiv. He died in Demiyivka (then a village near Kyiv) in 1752.

Caption to the illustration:

1. Admiralty Triumphal Gate. Engraving made by O. Rudakov (1779) on the basis of A. Bogdanov’s painting (1742). This is the approximate image of the Triumphal arch designed by Johann-Gottfried Schädel, which could be erected in Kyiv in 1744.

Prepared by Hanna Filipova