'Griechische Kapelle'/Russisch-orthodoxe Kerk op de Neroberg, Wiesbaden, Duitsland 1896

This photograph shows the Russian Orthodox Church in Wiesbaden, Germany, and was taken by Mondel & Jacob. This image invites us to consider the cultural and political context of religious architecture in 19th-century Europe. The presence of a Russian Orthodox church in a German city speaks to the complex relationships between nations, religions, and royal families, who commissioned monuments to express faith and project power. The church’s design reflects the Byzantine architectural traditions, visually encoding Russia's historical and cultural ties to the Byzantine Empire, referencing Russia's role as a protector of Orthodox Christianity. Photography played a crucial role in documenting and disseminating these cultural symbols. To understand it fully, scholars explore primary sources: architectural plans, travel writings, and diplomatic archives to reveal the motivations and meanings behind the construction of this Russian church on German soil.