Scotland Yard, Paris, London — what other roles did St. Petersburg take on in the series «Sherlock Holmes»?

Filmmakers often choose St. Petersburg for shooting. We can see modern St. Petersburg, historical St. Petersburg, or viewers have the opportunity to visit an alternative city on the Neva. This is how we saw it in the film «». Sometimes it appears in the image of London. In this article, we will talk about the famous places of the city and their «role» in the series «Sherlock Holmes» (2013).

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In 2013, the series Sherlock Holmes by Andrey Kavun was released. The image of the brilliant detective was embodied by Igor Petrenko, and the role of Dr. Watson was played by Andrey Panin, for whom this was one of his last appearances on screen.

All filming of Victorian England was carried out in Russia over eight months. Locations were chosen in St. Petersburg (including Kronstadt and Pushkin) and its surroundings — in Vyborg, Gatchina, Ivangorod.

St. Petersburg is a treasure trove of diverse geographical allusions. It is very cinematic and inspiringly lyrical. You can film various time periods of different countries here. The production designer of «Sherlock Holmes» and his team tried to make St. Petersburg as similar to London as possible, but as they imagine it. The refraction of Victorian England in the imagination of the series' creators is one of its main surprises.

Let's start our walk through London.

State Academic Capella — Scotland Yard

The main workplace of Inspector Lestrade (Mikhail Boyarsky) is the headquarters of the police institution in England. This role was taken on by the State Academic Capella.

The State Academic Capella of St. Petersburg is the oldest musical institution in Russia. It includes a male choir, founded in 1476 in Moscow as the choir of the Sovereign's singing clerks, as well as a symphony orchestra.

Krepostnaya Street, Vyborg — Baker Street, 221b

One of the key places in the story of the adventures of Holmes and Watson is their apartment on Baker Street. If in the Soviet adaptation the residence was located in Riga, then in this series the detectives found their home in Vyborg.

Krepostnaya Street is one of the oldest and most important streets of old Vyborg. It stretches from the Fortress Bridge to the East Vyborg fortifications.

At the entrance to the Fortress Bridge, on both sides of Krepostnaya Street, female statues «Industry» and «Maritime Trade» are installed: an allegory of industry with a gear in her hands and an allegory of trade with the caduceus of Mercury.

When creating the interior of the detectives' house, the same fireplace screen was used that was used in the filming of the cycle by Igor Maslennikov. This was done not by chance. The creators of the series thus wanted to show respect to the Soviet film.

Theatre-Festival «Baltic House» — Courthouse

The episode «Lord Maulbrey's Mistresses» begins near the courthouse.

The history of «Baltic House», the famous theatre-festival, goes back to the first half of the last century. In 1936, the Theatre named after the Leninist Komsomol was housed in the historic building of St. Petersburg at the address «Alexandrovsky Park, building 4». Thanks to the active creative team and director Georgy Tovstonogov, this place, located not far from the Gorkovskaya metro station, was known throughout the country. Since 1971, the duties of director were taken over by Gennady Oporkov. The theatre venue «Lenkom» became a stepping stone to great success for him. Here Oporkov staged such performances as «Duck Hunt» and «The Three Musketeers», which became classics of the theatre world.

«Baltic House» has repeatedly initiated major theatre projects. For example, it hosted the festival of the Union of Theatres of Europe in 2003, and in 2018 the European Theatre Prize was awarded there.

MUSIC HALL — National Bank

The National Bank of England appears in the series in two forms. The facade, with a small addition of computer graphics, was represented by the Music Hall.

In 1899, by order of Emperor Nicholas II, part of the territory of Alexandrovsky Park (14.68 hectares) was transferred free of charge to the St. Petersburg city guardianship of public sobriety «for the organization of public entertainment». The territory stretched from the Establishment of Artificial Mineral Waters to the Zoological Garden.

In 1899-1901, on the initiative of Prince of Oldenburg, the People's House of Emperor Nicholas II was built here. The complex was called «Establishment for Public Entertainment of Emperor Nicholas II» — the People's House.

In 1924, the Opera Theatre was converted into the cinema «Velikan» (Giant), and at the end of 1928 — into the Music Hall. The cinema was then moved to the Iron Hall. Then the Opera Hall was transferred to the Theatre of Musical Comedy, where it operated until 1939.

After reconstruction, carried out in 1950 according to the design of architects K. L. Johansen and E. M. Sokolov, the largest cinema in the city, «Velikan», reopened in the Opera Hall. The picturesque ceiling was painted by artist A. V. Treskin.

In 1978, the building was transferred to the Music Hall. Reconstruction was carried out in 1981-1988 according to the design of the 12th workshop of LenNIIproekt (architects M. Budnevich, T. Gasanov, I. Kucherova, etc.)

Mutual Credit Society — National Bank (interiors)

Ebenezer Buckley (Andrey Merzlikin) tries to exchange a whole suitcase of banknotes for pure gold. It is in the Mutual Credit Society that the events of the episode «Halifax» begin.

The Mutual Credit Society was the first private credit organization in our country. Its members had to make a certain contribution to the fund, for which they received the opportunity to take a loan for business development at a good interest rate and for a short term.

The inventor of this system, Lomansky, commissioned architect Pavel Yulievich Syuzor to build a building on the embankment of the Griboyedov Canal in compliance with all the latest safety achievements. The house was built from fireproof materials with metal ceilings. The halls were equipped with an alarm system, and the thickness of the safe doors was 40 cm. The bank was equipped with electricity, sewerage, water supply, telephone communication, and an elevator was installed.

Champ de Mars in Paris — Champ de Mars

One of the most interesting transformations of St. Petersburg in the series is Paris. Where to show the Champ de Mars in Paris and the Eiffel Tower? That's right, this place became the Champ de Mars of the city.

The Champ de Mars in St. Petersburg arose on the site that had long been called the «Big Meadow». In the time of Peter I, this space was developed — the swamp was drained by digging a canal towards the Neva. Finally, at the end of the 18th century, due to Paul I's excessive passion for strict discipline, the atmosphere of a training ground was finally established here, and barracks for guardsmen were built. Statues appeared to mark the military merits of P. A. Rumyantsev and A. V. Suvorov.

In the post-revolutionary decades, a different symbolism acquired dominant importance. Now it was the Square of the Victims of the Revolution. During the siege years, this territory literally turned into a source of vital energy for those who defended Leningrad. Vegetables necessary for survival were planted on it. After the lifting of the siege, a salute was fired here, marking this event.

The complex acquired its final appearance in the year of the fortieth anniversary of the October Revolution, when the Eternal Flame began to burn here. At that time, it became the first memorial sign of its kind in the Soviet Union. Since then, the laying of flowers has been regularly held here — this is how fallen Russians are honored. Subsequently, the Eternal Flame on Red Square was lit from the flame on the Champ de Mars.