Messages

31

Tsarskoe Selo Town / Re: Chinese Village

« on: April 15, 2010, 06:59:19 AM »

The fire that broke out at the Catherine Palace 12 May 1820 also spread to the Lyceum and to the cavalier houses – the roof of Karamzin’s house did burn.

In 1822 the family moved to the Chinese Village. Those who lived in the small houses were able to entertain friends and neighbours with  dinners, dances and concerts. Each house had all the requirements for needs and luxuries – home appliances, beds with curtains and screens, dressing tables, chest of drawers for linen and clothes, table covered with black skin and inkwells, a samovar, English tea and coffee set with lacquered tray, mirrors. This inventory, information for the lodger, hung in the front room behind a frame and glass. Each house had a garden, sod, lilac bushes in corners, iron settee and 2 chairs covered with green paint.

He walked in the court gardens every day.  Had dinners with neighbours and close friends who also lived there.
 
Karamzin lived in the Chinese Village from the beginning of spring to late fall of 1822.

In 1836 and 1837 he again lived in Tsarskoe Selo but in a house opposite the Alexander Garden.

32

Tsarskoe Selo Town / Re: Chinese Village

« on: March 16, 2010, 11:13:36 AM »

The Cavalier's house which stands at Leontievskaya and Sadovaya streets - # 12 Sadovaya, was occupied in 1820 by the historian Karamzin. he was esteemed by his contemporaries and was received at Court without ceremony. The emperor consulted him about new reforms and about his historical works.

33

The Alexander Palace / Re: Floor Plan Concept for AP Museum

« on: January 23, 2010, 07:33:19 AM »

EmmyLee
Thank you so much - these are absolutely amazing.
Cathy

34

Palaces in St. Petersburg / Re: Your visits to St Petersburg, advices and pictures

« on: January 04, 2010, 09:33:52 AM »

It is amazing really but most places allow photography although "No Flash" is the norm. And many palaces have an additional charge for photography but it is quite cheep.
When I say amazing - one can get very close to all the historical furniture, very old pictures, clothes etc. to take pictures. And I think that the Hermitage is the most open of all. One walks around in shoes on beautiful wooden floors and one can touch (but really should not) so many things!!

35

Tsarskoe Selo Town / Re: Basic facts of Tsarskoe Selo

« on: December 10, 2009, 11:49:06 AM »

There is of course the Lutheran Church on Naberegnaya (Quay) street - I wonder if they have retained any records and may have historical information about their Finnish parishioners.

36

The Alexander Palace / Re: Final Translations of AP Rooms from Yakolev's 1928 Book

« on: August 11, 2009, 07:18:57 AM »

There are no adequate words to say thank you for the work you are doing on the Yakolev book translations. A big 'Thank You' from all of us.

37

Tsarskoe Selo Palaces / Re: St. Petersburg imperial country residences news

« on: July 30, 2009, 06:34:56 AM »

Thanks so much Vladimir. I wonder if there are any pictures of it from 1930 - 1960.

38

Tsarskoe Selo Palaces / Re: St. Petersburg imperial country residences news

« on: July 29, 2009, 06:58:49 AM »

Hi Vladimir

Do you know how the "1950-1960 block of flats" were destroyed to the shell that we saw in 2006? And a second thought - who would have lived in the flats when the paviilon was so far away from the AP/CP and even the street beyond the elephant house. Or could it be palace workers or military?

Thanks
Cathy

PS Can't wait to see it restored :-)

39

Tsarskoe Selo Palaces / Re: St. Petersburg imperial country residences news

« on: April 08, 2009, 08:01:04 AM »

Vladimir
Do you have any idea why they chose to reconstruct the Llama pavilion rather than the Chinese Theatre or the Arsenal for example? It seems to me that generally tourists would not walk that far!!

40

Tsarskoe Selo Palaces / Re: St. Petersburg imperial country residences news

« on: April 08, 2009, 07:57:57 AM »

Does anyone have a pre-war photo of the Llama Pavilion?  I am totally unfamiliar with this one.

I do not have a picture (I have lots of pictures from 2006, 2008 before the reconstruction but after the destruction!!). But go to the Time Machine's page on 'Palace Park - Llama House and Elephants from our online book Tsarskoe Selo in 1910' for a picture and a little history.

41

Palaces in St. Petersburg / Re: Private rooms of the Winter Palace

« on: March 31, 2009, 07:50:05 AM »

I think Greg King mentions it  in The Court of the Last Tsar.  However, it is not in the index so  would have to reread the whole thing to find it.

Robert
Page 118 (hardcover) Chapter 'Below Stairs at the Palace'

42

Tsarskoe Selo Palaces / Re: St. Petersburg imperial country residences news

« on: March 29, 2009, 06:46:38 AM »

The Imperial Train Station in Tsarskoe Selo found a new host:
http://www.regnum.ru/news/1138901.html

Vladimir - maybe we will meet you for dinner there in a few years time :-)

43

Palaces in St. Petersburg / Re: Yelagin Palace

« on: March 14, 2009, 07:34:30 AM »

Thank you so much for this information Annetta. I have not seen the little bottle of oil. Do you know what rooms these chandeliers are in? Is one in the Porcelain Study? I have a picture of one that is 3-tiered with an acorn hanging from the bottom. I have pictures of 2 smaller ones in the Blue and the Crimson Drawing rooms.

Oh, I have just noticed the title - the Ball Room!

44

Tsarskoe Selo Palaces / Re: St. Petersburg imperial country residences news

« on: March 14, 2009, 07:15:04 AM »

Vladimir - I think that we were 2 of the 44 K that came from Canada and we were very glad we did :-)
Do you think that 142 K from Finland is a good tourist year? And 185,9 K from US?

45

Marie Feodorovna / Re: Marie Feodorovna's Final Resting Place

« on: March 12, 2009, 04:08:55 PM »

Hi,

My goodness, when I was there last August, there was no picture on her tomb and we were not allowed to place flowers on it.
Things must have changed;  or maybe this was a special day, as I see several people in the background.  There weren't that many there the day I was there.

Larry

April/May 2008 - there was no picture on the grave however there were flowers in vases at or near most of the graves. But I do not think that they were left by the 'tourists' - I think that the placement of 'tributes' is carefully orchestrated by the staff. All very tasteful actually. And we were almost alone in the church so were able to 'grieve' in peace. Nice.