Alexander Palace Forum
Discussions about Other Imperial Palaces => Tsarskoe Selo Palaces => Topic started by: Robert_Hall on August 17, 2004, 08:30:37 AM
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Today [17th] on alt.talk.royalty message board Dimitry Macedonsky in St. Petersburg announced the restoration plans of the palace Oranienbaum. Apparently it was not occupied nor bombed, but has been let to deteriorate. If I read correctly, the funding for this is private & there is some connection with the group that restored Strelna [?]. Perhaps Mike can find out more?
Cheers,
Robert
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Thanks Robert for those great news :)
When i visited the palace last summer it was in such a TERRIBLE condition! Both interior and facade, altough not damaged during WWII were neglected to an extent hardly understandable. Fortunately the Chinese palace was in remarkable good shape. Anyway, its park is really charming and deserves a visit of its own.
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The Oranienbaum Grand Palace since the 1940s has been occupied by the Morteplotehknika organization (a leading developer of torpedoes for Soviet nuclear submarines) and the related military units. Apparently they were feeling comfortably in the palace and easily resisted all attempts to return it to a more peaceful use. The Oranienbaum and Gatchina palaces & park complexes have always been neglected compared to Peterhof, Pushkin and Pavlovsk, mostly for a purely bureaucratic reason. The latters are administrative districts within the Leningrad/Petersburg municipality, while Lomonosov (former Oranienbaum) and Gatchina are towns in the Leningrad Region (it still retains its Soviet-time name).
Regarding the Oranienbaum restoration plans: a recently established special foundation is closely associated (as in the case of Strelna) with the Putin administration and patronized by the economy minister Gref and Petersburg governor Matvienko. They are lobbying the Oranienbaum complex's transfer under federal administration, the torpedo guys' eviction from the palace and other measures. Taking into account their connections, the chances for this great palace are now better than ever.
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It's good to know that (1) more and more of these wonderful palaces are becoming valued once again, and (2) those of us visiting this website can learn from people who have actually visited them or live close by!
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I passed Oranienbaum when in St. Petersburg but I am lost on who of the Imperial family resided there c1900's ???
Joanna
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Joanna,
The Palace was built by Peter the Great's advisor, Alexander Menshikov. It became an imperial property after his treason. It passed to Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich, and then to his daughter Catherine who married Duke George of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The palace remained in the Mecklenburg-Strelitz family until the revolution.
Bob
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Thanks Robert for those great news :)
When i visited the palace last summer it was in such a TERRIBLE condition! Both interior and facade, altough not damaged during WWII were neglected to an extent hardly understandable. Fortunately the Chinese palace was in remarkable good shape. Anyway, its park is really charming and deserves a visit of its own.
I also visited this palace this past summer and agree with Robert_Hall's assessment, and I also agree that despite the neglect Oranienbaum is a gem. In fact, it ended up being the best place I visted on my two week trip. The workmanship and the textures and colors in the Chinese palace were mind-blowingly stunning. Pictures do not do this palace justice. The park is a bit run down, but the "wild" aspect of it *is* quite charming. It was nice for me to see what the landscape looks like without excessive tending.
My recommendations if you visit this palace:
1. Don't forget your mosquito repellant! Them Oranienbaum skeeters are real fiesty!
2. Pack a lunch. Although the palace grounds are near the town, it's really too far away to take advantage of it.
3. The Chinese Palace tours are guided. You will have to figure out a way to attach yourself to a group and the "gate keepers" speak little to no english. We were fortunate enough to have an english speaking group tour the palace while we were there AND they agreed to let us tag along...but like I said, we were lucky. As an aside, we toured Monplaisir and the Imperial Baths at Peterhof with a Russian speaking tour guide and it wasn't that big of a deal. We couldn't understand what was being said, but we still had our eyes and could look around and take it all in.
Ahhhh. Oranienbaum. What a gem. I know I said picture can't do justice, but when I get a chance I'll scan in some of the photos from the guide book I purchased there.
Amy
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I am so happy to read about Oranienbaum's restoration news!! :)
Looking forward very much to your pictures Amy! This wonderful palace is really so charming. I've only seen exterior pictures and even then far away. To be there must have been indescribable. What is the state of Oranienbaum itself now? Has the work of restoring begun?
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I'm a little slow right now b/c I'm juggling a few projects, but I'll try to scan in some more pictures, like interior photos, in the comming days.
1) The first photo is a map and a great place to start in my opinion because you can begin to visualize the layout of Oranienbaum:
(http://home.comcast.net/~kidwells/Oranienbaum_Map.jpg)
2) The second photo was taken at one of the old entrances of the Main Palace. I think this photo is kind of interesting because it shows how overgrown parts of the park have become:
(http://home.comcast.net/~kidwells/Oranienbaum_MainPalace1.jpg)
3) The third photo is a nice aerial shot from St. Petersburg- Architecture of the Tsars. The building in the photo is of the main palace.
(http://home.comcast.net/~kidwells/Oranienbaum_MainPalace2.jpg)
Orloff, Alexander, and Dimitri Shvidkovsky. St. Petersburg- Architecture of the Tsars. New York: Abbeville Press,1997.
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Outstanding, Amy! :D The map is wonderful, as is the photo of you in front of the gates, and the aerial shot is simply breathtaking!
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I just got a nice little travel book The Chinese Palace at Oranienbaum. by Will Black. Nice photos. Outside looks sad,but inside seems still pretty good.
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It's my job as a railroad fan 8) to mention here that the first Russian electric trains were meant to run berween SPb and Oranienbaum.
The project was named ORANEL, and construction began in 1913. The 1524 mm gauge line started from Narvskie Vorota [Narva Gate] square and continued to Putilovskiy Works to Strelna, then to Peterhof and Oranienbaum. It had later to be prolonged to the Krasnaya Gorka fort.
By 1917, the line achieved Strelna and was terminated there. In the 1920s it was taken over by the city tramway network, and is operated till the present day as Route 36. I've ridden it many times and was always fascinated by countryside views from a tramway window. From time to time the idea of completing the line at least to Peterhof is discussed, but so far to no avail.
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(http://img22.echo.cx/img22/769/poranienbaum001600lomonosov6dk.jpg) (http://www.imageshack.us)(http://)
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Menshikovsky Palace
(http://img22.echo.cx/img22/5264/1poranienbaummenshikovsky00260.jpg) (http://www.imageshack.us)(http://)
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Kitaysky - The Chinese Pavilion
(http://img22.echo.cx/img22/8136/1poranienbaumkitaysky002600pch.jpg) (http://www.imageshack.us)(http://)
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Katalnaia Gorka - Pavilion of the Rolling Hill
(http://img22.echo.cx/img22/1567/1poranienbaum002600katalnaiago.jpg) (http://www.imageshack.us)(http://)
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The Concert Hall
(http://img286.echo.cx/img286/1396/rambovverhnyparkkamennoezalo32.jpg) (http://www.imageshack.us)(http://)
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The Concert Hall
(http://img192.echo.cx/img192/5885/rambovverhparkkamenzal2rockhal.jpg) (http://www.imageshack.us)(http://)
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The Concert Hall
(http://img192.echo.cx/img192/1317/rambovverhnyparkkamennoezalo23.jpg) (http://www.imageshack.us)(http://)
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The Figure House and the western gates of the lower garden
(http://img189.echo.cx/img189/8074/rambovkartinnydom1figurehousea.jpg) (http://www.imageshack.us)(http://)
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The Figure House
(http://img189.echo.cx/img189/621/rambovnizhnysadkartinnydom2507.jpg) (http://www.imageshack.us)(http://)
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Kavalerskiy housing
(http://img63.echo.cx/img63/9268/rambovverhnyparkkavalerskykorp.jpg) (http://www.imageshack.us)(http://)
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Photos and history of the treasures of Oranienbaum:
http://www.nasledie-rus.ru/podshivka/7003.php
Entrance Gate:
http://www.nasledie-rus.ru/img/700000/700304.jpg
Chinese Kitchen:
http://www.nasledie-rus.ru/img/700000/700306.jpg
Joanna
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I would like to add that Lomonosov was not destroyed by Nazis. And the palaces are not restored.
THe most unique palace of Lomonosov Park is the Chinese Palace made only for receptions by Ekaterina the Great.
A lot of rooms there have preserved from 18th century which is unusual for Petersburg (unfortunately).
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Hikaru, Didn't Catherine the Great have a bedroom in the Chinese mansion? I thought it was sort of a love nest for her as opposed to a general reception area.
Do you live in St. Petersburg?? How very fortunate if you do.
..Arleen
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They had bedroom and cabinets in such palaces but never used it. Iit was so called parade bedroom.
Maybe it was love nest , but especially it was used for the receptions of foreign ministers.
They used Grand Palace to sleep.
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As I understand it the Palace was used by Catherine and Peter when Elizabeth was still alive it contains bedroom and facilties for them both in the two wings opposite the lake,....of course Peter had his own Palace in teh Park ....
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What an amazing, and comprehensive series of photographs posted by Reco and Athena. Very many thanks.
The Russian Government is pouring millions into the restoration of Oranienbaum - and that is wonderful.
Now, as we all know, the Russian Navy is moving out of the Alexander Palace, why, oh why is the Russian Government not investing a few millions from its new found oil and gas billions, into THE palace? The Alexander Palace.
tsaria
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I thought that the China Palace was used by Catherine during Elizabeth time, but it is not the true.
( I had super-guide there and she said that The Catherine reconstructed the palace when she became the Tsarina completely in order to use it as the place for reception).
Then in the 19th centuty Maklenburg made the third floor and Corridor in the palace but the Parade rooms stayed untouched till now.
I liked the palace very much , because in comparison with others Summer Residences I felt the charming a fleur de temps there.
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I can't believe I've neglected this thread for so long. What's it been? Like a year? Sorry. I meant to scan more photos and I seem to have forgotten. :(
I remembered, though, when I received a new book on the Chinese Palace at Oranienbaum.* Yeah! A floorplan! I love floorplans!
(http://home.comcast.net/~kidwells/Map_ChinesePalace.jpg)
Key
1. Minor Antechamber
2. Major Chinese Study
3. Minor Chinese Study
4. Lilac Lounge
5. Great Hall
6. Bugle/Glass Beaded Salon
7. Blue Lounge
8. Muses' Lounge
9. Major Antechamber
10. Chinese Bedroom
11. Hallway
12. Heating Equipment Room
13. Entrance Hall
14. Corridor towards 2nd floor
15. Wardrobe Room
16. Pink Lounge
17. Toilet Room
18. Hallway
19. Maintenance Area
20. Portrait Room
21. Cathereine II's Study
22. Gallery
23. Gallery
24. Gallery
25. Stoph Bedroom
26. Hallway
27. Minor Study
28. Boudoir
*Black, Will. The Chinese Palace at Oranienbaum. Charleston, MA: Bunker Hill Publishing, 2003.
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According to the above key, this photo is room #2 (Major Chinese Study.)* Orientation wise, this photo was taken from the doorway in room#3, looking into room #2.
(http://home.comcast.net/~kidwells/MajorChinese.jpg)
*Black, Will. The Chinese Palace at Oranienbaum . Charlestown, MA: Bunker Hill Publishing, 2003.
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And here's a fragment photo from one of the walls in the Major Chinese Study (#3).*
(http://home.comcast.net/~kidwells/Fragment_Chinese.jpg)
*Photo from a guidebook I purchased at Oranienbaum. ISBN 5-8276-0080-6
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This small palace was part of the "build-o-mania," as she described it, that afflicted Catherine the Great in the early years of her reign. Rooms numbered 10 through 21 composed the bedroom suite of Catherine, whereas rooms 16 through 28 were assigned to her son, the Grand Duke Paul.
Actually, the Emperess spent fewer than 50 days at this palace during all of her reign. It was a retreat she utilized mostly during her years with Gregory Orloff.
The palace was enlarged from the original format several generations after her death. Rooms 11, 12, 13, 15, 22, 23 and 24 were added, along with the second floor rooms and the lake, or rear facade.
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Was this used by anyone after Catherine the Great? Seems a shame to let such a beautiful complex just go to waste.
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It was occupied by a grand ducal family until the revolution. It is a fascinating visit. Although in pretty sad shape, you can see what is underneath the all the plaster, the actual construction itself.
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I believe before 1918 a younger branch of the ducal family of Mecklenburg Strelitz lived in Oranienbaum, didn't they?
After 1918 they moved/ fled to the palace Remplin in Mecklenburg, which was destroyed by the Nazi's in WO II.
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To be honest, I do not remember exactly which family it was, but there are rooms devoted to pictures and artifacts of them on display. GD M-S sounds good !
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The Palace was built by Peter the Great's advisor, Alexander Menshikov. It became an imperial property after his treason. It passed to Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich, and then to his daughter Catherine who married Duke George of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The palace remained in the Mecklenburg-Strelitz family until the revolution.
Bob
ipflo
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Last week I was in Oranienbaum (aka Lomonosov). Here are some pics.
The Grand Palace
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/feomarie/Palaces/IMG_0402.jpg)
The restoration is going on, though I'd say very slowly. I was fascinated with the wooden front staircase of the XVIII's cent. inside the Palace. Still few rooms are restored and I even can't say it's a real restoration as I was thinking all the time of my tour in the Palace that the roof or walls were near to tumble down :-/.
The facade of the Grand Palace -- close up of its condition.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/feomarie/Palaces/IMG_0403.jpg)
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The eye-filling Music Pavillion :)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/feomarie/Palaces/IMG_0408.jpg)
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Pavillion Katalnaya Gorka. The workers are unmounting the scaffolding
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/feomarie/Palaces/IMG_0410.jpg)
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Dear Svetabel,
Thank you very much for all the beautiful photographs !
Very lovely indeed.
Tatiana+
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(http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/9550/13b11qf.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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(http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/11/14b16tq.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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Awfully sad looking!
Does anyone have pictures of the Chinese Palace? How has it fared?
Arleen
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Just for you Arleen...
Southern facade
(http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/3416/221509191ilphzlfs110lc.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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Northern facade
(http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/8295/rambovverhnyparkkitayskydvorec.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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Western part
(http://img415.imageshack.us/img415/6229/rambovverhnyparkkitayskydvorec1.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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(http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/7174/mapchinesepalace118ba.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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Exactly what I wanted to see Reco! You are so very kind.
I was afraid that it would be in much worse condition. Your pictures show just what I wanted to know about it. I am really surprised that so much of the marbleized paint is left.....it WAS paint wasn't it? Plaster?
Are visitors allowed inside these days? Is it on the list to be restored?
Robert Hall says he would like to live in the Marble Palace, but this would be the Palace I would want to live in, if fantasy came to life.
The floorplan was fantastic, I love floorplans! Now I am oriented and can picture the more famous rooms, my fav being the beaded room.
Thanks so much Reco!
Cheers....
Arleen
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(http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/1577/oranienbaumkitayskychinesepala.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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(http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/1577/oranienbaumkitayskychinesepala.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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(http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/6418/oranienbaumkitayskychinesepala1.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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(http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/520/oranienbaummenshikovskygooglee.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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It is so interesting to see the Palace from above.....love Google! Must be the stables on the right? Anyone know what the other buildings are?
Thanks Reco,
Arleen
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Arleen,
On the last image, we can see the Chinese Palace and the small building is the Chinese Kitchen.
On the preceding image, with the right-hand side of the Chinese Palace, it is the Knightshouse Block
( Kavalerskiy housing )
Reco
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(http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/251/oranienbaumconcerthallgoogleea.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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(http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/251/oranienbaumconcerthallgoogleea.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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(http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/6623/rambovverhparkkamenzal1fakelan.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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(http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9289/rambovverhnyparkkamennoezalocv.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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(http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/1003/rambovverhnyparkkamennoezalo22.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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(http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/1396/rambovverhnyparkkamennoezalo32.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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(http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6564/rambovverhnyparkkamennoezaloap.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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(http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9360/rambovverhnyparkkamennoezalopo.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://)
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I just got a nice little travel book The Chinese Palace at Oranienbaum. by Will Black. Nice photos. Outside looks sad,but inside seems still pretty good.
I just got the same book. Below is a scan of a page in that book that shows some of the damage.
I'm wondering if the roof has been repaired? It was leaking. I'm also wondering if the drainage system is operational yet. Hmm... I'll have to do some searching.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i136/JayJay_10/d0646afa.jpg)
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Hi,
I've found this article on internet about the retoration that is leaded in the chinese palace actually by World Monument Fund...
Have a see!
http://www.vam.ac.uk/res_cons/conservation/journal/issue52/chinesepalace52/index.html
Vassili
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Watercolour of Grand Orenbaum Palace
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r174/GDNastya/GrandOrenbaumPalace.jpg)
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This picture is fabulous,it makes me dream of what have been or could become the estate...please M.Putin come to the awareness of the fact that you should increase double the budget of russian minestry of culture(in light of revenue of petrolum),and take in his own charge the most important cost of the project of restoration of Lomonissov and Tsarskoye just as in Versailles actually...and he should also create a new law so as to pave the way to a real mecenat foundation in Russia...
So much to do...!
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Who occupied this palace in the second part of the 19th century till the revolution?
Daniela
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Who occupied this palace in the second part of the 19th century till the revolution?
Daniela
The Oranienbaum was the estate of GDss Ekaterina Mikhailovna (1827-92) and her descendants - Russian Dukes of Mecklenbourg-Strelitz.
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Thanks, Svetabel. :)
Did GD Georg and his wife The countess of Carlow, nee Natalia Vanljarskaya lived in Oranienbaum?
Daniela
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Thanks, Svetabel. :)
Did GD Georg and his wife The countess of Carlow, nee Natalia Vanljarskaya lived in Oranienbaum?
Daniela
Yes, they were living there from time to time as the Oranienbaum was the life-estate of Duke Georgiy through the will of his mother GDss Ekaterina.
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Thanks, Svetabel! :)
So, the descendants of GD Ekaterina, todays Mecklenburg Dukes, they are the rightful owners, right?
Daniela
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Thanks, Svetabel! :)
So, the descendants of GD Ekaterina, todays Mecklenburg Dukes, they are the rightful owners, right?
Daniela
I don't think so, it's questionable. Duke Georgiy had the Oranienbaum as a life-estate that meant his children (becouse of his morganatic marriage) did not have any rights to the Palace and lands around. Duke Mikhail who could devise the estate to his possible descendants did not have children as we know.
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Oh, I see.
Thanks, Svetabel. :)
Daniela
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A bird's view of the palace at the time of Menchikov and the other one shows the systelm of the russian mountain that fall into derelict,despair at the beginning of the 19th century...
(http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/3200/oraniembaumsw9.th.jpg) (http://img217.imageshack.us/my.php?image=oraniembaumsw9.jpg)
(http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/9417/oraniembaummontagnerussby3.th.jpg) (http://img217.imageshack.us/my.php?image=oraniembaummontagnerussby3.jpg)
Vassili
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Le salon des muses
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/vassiliv/salondesmuses.jpg)
Vassili
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Salon des muses
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/vassiliv/salondesmuses.jpg)
Salon de verre
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r248/vassiliv/cabinetdesperlesdeverre.jpg)
I'm totally fallen in love with those interiors so would be the other users of the forum I hope...
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WOW Vassili! Where do you find these pictures!
-Duke of NJ
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It is perhaps incredible however, I've never been in Russia,I used to dream of imperial Russia from my 11 years and I read much about these,Ispend most of my time searching new things...
When it is possible ,I post it...
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Oh to be in St. Petersburg! This month TV is showing the documentary on the Chinese Palace in Oranienbaum. Two others that were aired earlier are of Monplaisir Peterhof and GD Boris' Cottage in Tsarskoe Selo.
http://www.tvkultura.ru/page.html?cid=762
Joanna
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What beautiful pictures. It really is a magnificent building. It surprises me though that the inside appears to be perfectly restored and maintained while the outside is falling apart. When are they going to start the restoration ?
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It looks like the restoration of the exterior is already complete. I found these photos on a pdf download that Vladimir V linked to on the Restorations and Renovations in St. Petersburg thread. I'm glad they restored it and that it isn't crumbling anymore, but I kind of liked the bolder old colors better than the new ones. Maybe it's just the shot, but I find them rather bland.
Before:
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o236/architectcs/Catherine%20Palace/Alexander%20Palace%20Forum/Chinesepalaceold.jpg)
After:
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o236/architectcs/Catherine%20Palace/Alexander%20Palace%20Forum/Chinesepalacenew.jpg)
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Does anyone know what happened to the Tiepolo painting in the ceiling of the Great Hall of the Chinese Palace? It was, I believe, the only Tiepolo in any of the imperial palaces and it is a great loss. I have read that the Russians removed it during World War II (the only ceiling panel to be evacuated), it was intercepted by the Germans and probably perished shortly thereafter when Peterhof was burned. Another version has it taken to Pavlovsk where it was captured and 'was sold to a wealthy man in a neutral country, who refuses to restore it to the position for which it was created.' I hope the second is true and that someday it may be returned. Until then, I thought everyone might enjoy a prewar photo.
Mars in Repose by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o236/architectcs/Catherine%20Palace/Alexander%20Palace%20Forum/IMG_1476.jpg)
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I have read that in the first months of the war the Tiepolo painting was evacuated to Peterhof because it was close to St Petersburg (not so dangerous as Oranienbaum).
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I'm planning to visit St Petersburg in September and am particularly interested in visiting Oranienbaum, but the company organizing my tour has informed me that the palace is under construction and won't be open to tourism until 2014.
Does anyone know if this applies to the entire estate or is it only the main palace that is closed. Really want to see the Chinese Palace and don't mind a bit of rubble...
primrose
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I'm planning to visit St Petersburg in September and am particularly interested in visiting Oranienbaum, but the company organizing my tour has informed me that the palace is under construction and won't be open to tourism until 2014.
Does anyone know if this applies to the entire estate or is it only the main palace that is closed. Really want to see the Chinese Palace and don't mind a bit of rubble...
primrose
The Main (Bolshoy Menshikovskiy) Palace is closed, as well as the Chinese Palace. But they had planned to open both Palaces this year as 2011 is the Jubilee year for Oraninebaum - 300 years ago it was founded. Usually the opening is in May.
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Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra tour the Chinese Palace in Oranienbaum, Saint Petersburg
https://winterpalaceresearch.blogspot.ca/2017/10/the-palace-in-shadows-oranienbaum.html
Joanna