Vanalinna State School

The beginning of summer is a responsible and exciting time for schoolchildren. Some are looking forward to vacation, while others are preparing to bid farewell to their beloved school. Generations of students in Narva remember the ancient walls of the Vanalinna State School building!

Many well-known people in Estonia are associated with this building: writer Anton Hansen Tammsaare, theologian and statesman Peeter Põld, artist Voldemar Peil, zoologist Kalju Paaver, and others.

The building itself has its history dating back to the late 18th century when a residential house was built here in the neoclassical style. It is known that in the early 19th century, it belonged to the commandant of Narva Fortress, Baron von Velio, but by 1847, the building was acquired for the Narva Higher County School. Since 1877, the Narva Boys' Gymnasium was located here. In the early 20th century, the building was redesigned according to the project of Alexander Vladovskoy, connecting the main building with two stone houses, which housed the director's and teachers' apartments. After that, the house acquired the appearance that it mostly has today. In the early years of the Estonian Republic, the entire educational complex was occupied by the Narva United Gymnasium.

During World War II, the building suffered significant damage but was almost completely restored by 1948. It was only not possible to restore part of the decor on the facade and one of the balconies.

The longstanding tradition of housing an educational institution in this building continues to this day.

The Building of Narva Boys' Gymnasium. Photo by the Kristin Brothers. 1901-1904. NLM F 517:1

Works on the restoration of the school building after World War II. 1947. NLM F 35:1

Educators and graduates of Narva Male Gymnasium. Photo by Eduard Reidolf. 1907-1916. NLM F 995:1

September 1st at School No. 3. Photo by Vladimir Kuzmin. 1963. NLM F 97:266

The gymnasium building. Photo by Oswald Haidak. 1931-1935. NLM F 865:10

The gymnasium building. Photo by Oswald Haidak. 1925. NLM F 865:9

After World War II, School No. 3 was housed in the building. 1950-1960. NLM F 28:2

Students of the Narva United Gymnasium. Photo by K. Aktus. 1929. NLM F 804:1

Students of the Narva United Gymnasium. Photo by Johannes Kärner. 1929. NLM F 804:3

Students and teachers of the Narva United Gymnasium. Photo by E. Weidenbaum. 1928-1931. NLM F 197:12

Graduation ball at the Narva United Gymnasium. 1933. NLM F 995:2

Certificate of graduation from the Narva United Gymnasium. Issued to Ida Alice Vluuman. 1925. NLM _ 1743:2 D 265:1

Badge of graduation from the Narva United Gymnasium. 1933. NLM _ 2443:1 H 281:1

Work materials on the construction of the gymnasium building for Narva resident Sergey Zotikov, who spent several years creating the visualization of the Old Narva architecture in 3D.

Work materials on the gymnasium building by Narva resident Sergey Zotikov, who spent several years creating the reconstruction of Old Narva in 3D visualization.

Work materials related to the gymnasium building by Narva resident Sergey Zotikov, who spent several years creating the reconstruction of Old Narva in 3D visualization.