3-071-235 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Assassination of the Emperor of Russia: place where the Emperor was killed, 1881. 'One of the Sketches by our Special Artist at St. Petersburg shows the present aspect of the spot where the murderous act which destroyed the life of Alexander II. was perpetrated, on Sunday, the 13th March, as related in the accounts that have been published. In the evening of that day the spot where the Emperor fell was carpeted with moss and branches of evergreen. A delegation of the Municipality took immediate steps to build a temporary pavilion, or mortuary chapel, adorned with verdure and natural flowers, on a substructure of steps covered with black cloth. On the altar is placed a picture of Our Lady of Kazan, and sentries, placed on either side, keep guard at all hours. Innumerable crowns of flowers and green leaves have been deposited on the steps by the people, and many of the most august personages in St. Petersburg have visited the spot. A permanent Memorial Church is to be erected on this site'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.