Messages

136

Imperial Russian History / Re: St Petersburg, recommended Imperial highlights

« on: May 10, 2004, 02:11:29 AM »

Oh Belochka, to be visiting all these places with you would be wonderful - thanks from all of us for your list of interesting sites to visit.  I agree that St. Petersburg is a gorgeous city to visit, with so much history. Actually, it is an unforgetable experience, one that lasts a life time.
At the same time, it is a vibrant living city - the people are fascinating.
Domovoii, I would also suggest you take the bus or the train or taxis and talk to people about where you are from and what you are seeing.
When are you going?
Cathy

137

The Alexander Palace / Re: Children's Island

« on: May 10, 2004, 01:51:40 AM »

Dear Christine
Thanks so much for your reply - it is so nice to talk to someone who is over there, so close (via the web) and yet so far away.
The Children's House took my fancy when I was walking around the A. Palace - most people are interested in the palace and it's royal history (I am too). But the little lost house on the island is royal history too and I think it may be overlooked until it is too late to restore.  I'm just a little person very far away but I thought that a contact (me showing interest and maybe a monetary donation) may be helpful.
Greg King had mentioned that there was a fundraising process; I thought that I would contact Olga F. Filimonova at the museum for current information.
I love the detail you provided and Linda's article; they will be filed in my photo album to peruse with delight. I would love to be there to take my own pictures!!  Alas, I can't. Your contact and your information is the next best thing!
Cheers. Cathy

138

Imperial Russian History / Re: St Petersburg, recommended Imperial highlights

« on: May 09, 2004, 02:12:21 AM »

Hi Domovoii
It would be interesting to know if you are with a tour or on an independent visit.  If on a tour you may be restricted by the tour itinerary but if you are able to pick your destinations I would highly recommend you walk along the streets of St. Petersburg - get maps etc. of course.  Oh, and take the subway - it is fascinating.  And check out the bookstore in the Singer building on the Nevsky Prospek.
I would love to be travelling there again.
Cathy

139

The Alexander Palace / Re: Alexander Palace Landscaping and Gardening...

« on: May 09, 2004, 01:53:52 AM »

Hi Christine and Bob
Sorry to interupt your sadness; I feel as if I'm evesdropping on two old friends but that I am welcome to do so.
Back to the A. Park - where did the debris go after the war - was it buried.  The grounds are lovely now but I wonder what is underneath the mounds!  And what happened to the mines that were laid during the war?  Were they detonated first?
I would love to see the grounds in the summer, in full bloom .
Thanks Cathy

140

The Alexander Palace / Re: Children's Island

« on: May 09, 2004, 01:34:01 AM »

Hi Christine
Thanks so much for your info - I have written to Olga F. Filimonova Deputy Director on International Contacts of the State Museum "Tsarskoe Selo" via email and have not received a reply.  Would you have a better contact person?
I am going to order Linda's article from the Atlantis magazine - I'm very pleased that she has written about the house and that she is interested in it's restoration.
This forum is great - it has brought people together to share interests and to preserve history.
Cathy

141

Nicholas II / Re: Nicholas II - Early Crushes - plus Mathilde and Alix

« on: April 28, 2004, 09:03:51 AM »

Hi Joanna

I tried to go to this web site per your message:

She also had a summer villa at Strelna:
                       
                      http://www.strelna.ru/en/history.htm
                       

but I can't seem to access it - it goes to a 'styles' web site.  Is there something wrong with the
address?

Thanks
Cathy

142

Tsarskoe Selo Town / Re: The train station at Tsarskoe Selo

« on: April 28, 2004, 08:54:59 AM »

The Vitebsky Vokzal train station was more of a disappointment to me - when one enters the huge station one sees and smells the decay and the dirt.  The concrete under foot was almost a hazard, so broken and full of holes.  The stairwell to The Imperial Waiting Room was dusty and smelled of urine. The huge room itself was lovely to be sure but it was empty - no one uses it or even visits it, what a waste.
Getting train tickets to Tsarskoe Selo was a breeze.  Instructions in the tour guides had been so informative. I loved the train ride for many reasons.
I loved the train station at Tsarskoe Selo and maybe it was because I was so excited to be there.  It did have parts of the old structure, although it does need repair.  You could see (and envision what it had been like in N&A day) with the stone archway and the pillars.  The smell didn't bother me because it was outdoors and a lovely warm sunny day.  And it was very clean - no garbage. We did not see vendors of any kind. Waiting for the train to go back was a treat because I was able to watch the people.  
I'd go back tomorrow!!

143

Palaces in St. Petersburg / Re: Kamennostrovsky Palace

« on: April 26, 2004, 12:24:38 AM »

Hi

It's not the palace but The National Library of Russia's Images of St. Petersburg has a
photograph on-line prior to 1917:
                       
                      http://www.nlr.ru:8101/eng/line/spbpcards/novdev/1.htm
                       

Kamenny /Stone/ Island, Kamennoostrovsky /Stone Island/ Prospekt
                     John the Baptist's Church

Cathy

144

The Alexander Palace / Re: Children's Island

« on: April 23, 2004, 11:03:34 AM »

Hi Bob

I just thought I would tell you that, thanks to you, I have been able to identify the 2 little black/grey pyramids that I can see (with glasses) close to the children's house in my 5 pictures of the island that my sister and I took in 1996.  Great website!!

Thanks
Cathy

145

The Alexander Palace / Re: Children's Island

« on: April 23, 2004, 10:58:44 AM »

Hi Greg

Yes yes yes - I'm so excited.

It is Linda Predovsky, No 4 Vol 2 of the Atlantis magazine per the web site.  Do I try to order a
back issue (I'm in Canada) or can you post the article for me?  I would love to read it and would
love to see the pictures.

I have written to Olga F. Filimonova Deputy Director on International Contacts of the State Museum "Tsarskoe Selo" via email so I'll patiently wait for a response.

Thanks
Cathy

146

The Alexander Palace / Re: Children's Island

« on: April 21, 2004, 12:53:42 AM »

Hi Bob

I've just looked at your pictures of the grave stones of the imperial dogs taken in '91 0r '92.
How did you get to the island to take the pictures?  The pictures do not show any snow so I
assume it wasn't winter to walk across the water.  And I thought that there was no way to get
across on foot.  I would have loved to have peeked in the windows, imagining playtime, even
if it is now a shed.
I have been to Queen Victoria's Osborne House on the Isle of Wight and they have done a
marvelous job recreating the children's house for the public's viewing.

Thanks
Cathy

147

Imperial Russian Antiques / Re: Forbes collection of Faberge

« on: April 20, 2004, 09:27:25 AM »

Dear Joanna

I would love to build a miniature of the A. Palace!!  Would you like to help me?

LY
Cathy

148

The Alexander Palace / Re: Children's Island

« on: April 20, 2004, 01:05:40 AM »

Hi Londo954

Thank you so much - your message is so informative.

Cathy

149

The Imperial Family / Re: Exhibitions

« on: April 18, 2004, 11:40:36 PM »

Hi

Will there be a catalogue that I could purchase if I travel to the Newark exhibition next fall?

Thanks
Cathy

150

The Alexander Palace / Children's Island

« on: April 18, 2004, 11:20:45 PM »

Hi

Would anyone have any information about the house on the Children's Island.  Has anyone
been inside?  Are there pictures of the interior?  I was there in '96; although unable to visit
the interior of the Palace (so jealous of those that have) I did extensive walks around the
grounds.  I noticed a concrete dock/ramp on the Palace side of the water and wondered if
that was a launch site for the family to visit the island in the summer (asumming they could
walk on the ice in the winter).
Was the house damaged during the occupation?  Was it restored in any way?  It looks in very good shape.

Thanks for any information.
Cathy