Author Topic: alexander palace hallways  (Read 19117 times)

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marktico

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alexander palace hallways
« on: February 25, 2009, 12:48:00 PM »
are there any photographs of the interior hallways in each wing of the alexander palace? how wide are they? thank you
« Last Edit: April 07, 2009, 06:56:57 AM by Sarushka »

Offline Sarushka

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Re: alexander palace
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2009, 03:30:30 PM »
I believe this is the central corridor in N&A's private wing:



I'm not sure precisely where this hallway is -- maybe between the private wing and the formal rooms -- but it's also in the private family wing:

THE LOST CROWN: A Novel of Romanov Russia -- now in paperback!
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Offline Douglas

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Re: alexander palace
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2009, 07:25:55 PM »
I believe these interior halls are approx. eleven feet wide...but Bob Atchison or someone else, may have an exact number.

The top left hall photo were taken from the 'entry' area.  The top right one was taken from the opposite end.

I believe the bottom photo was taken just outside the Tsar's Reception Room by the entrance of the Left Wing.

I have never seen a photo of the right wing hall of the palace.  This area was/is occupied by the Soviet Navy.
« Last Edit: February 25, 2009, 07:36:26 PM by Douglas »

Geglov2-3

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Re: alexander palace
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2009, 10:01:38 AM »
Попалась на глаза книга "X Царскосельская научная конференция. Матерьялы" с указателем содержания 4-й конференции 1998 года по Александровскому дворцу.
Got their eyes on the book "X Tzarskoselskay conference. Materials" that shows the contents of the 4 th Conference of 1998 on the Alexander Palace.

 

Offline lilianna

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Re: alexander palace
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2009, 05:16:36 PM »
Конференция  (1998 года) так и называлась "Александровский дворец". У меня есть эта книга (успела купить на конференции). Какие темы интересуют? Могу отсканировать все оглавление. 

Conference (1998) and referred to " Александровский a palace ". I have this book (has had time to buy at conference). What themes interest? I can scan all table of contents

Offline Joanna

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Re: alexander palace
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2009, 09:46:47 PM »
 

Many thanks Lilianna for the offer to scan the contents! An amazing reference book. Can you start with the Alexander Palace 1920-1930 (just above #5) if you have time? I have no idea how long it will take attempting to translate!

Joanna

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Re: alexander palace
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2009, 10:13:28 PM »

Douglas has identified correctly the three photos. The one above is directly outside the door of Nicholas' New Study on the left and on the right where the display cases are is the door to the Maple Room. This area has a lower ceiling as the mezzanine connected the two rooms c1902. I have always been puzzled why they decided to build this walkway. The corridor height is not that great. The two doors were opposite for easy access. Officials entered through either the Small Library or A's Reception Room and with this fussy almost claustrophic feeling would have detracted from the impressive proportions of the AP. What is the height of the mezzanine walkway? Any way to figure it out? Although the photographs show the corridor as quite high, the reality is different. If you look at Sarushka's first photo, there is not that much height between the top of the doorway to the ceiling. It almost feels as if one had to crouch to cross the walkway. What would one of the tall 6'4" Romanov Grand Dukes encountered! I can understand the mezzanine areas above A's and N's bathroom/valets (even then I am not sure of the actual heights of these rooms) but in 1902 there was no reason to think that Alexandra would want to cross over and quietly listen to N's meetings.

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Offline BobAtchison

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Re: alexander palace hallways
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2009, 01:30:37 AM »
Actually the balcony connection over the hallway makes a huge amount of sense.  Prior to its construction there was no way for Nicholas to walk to the opposite side without crossing the corridor.  There were guards here - even at night - can you imagine Nicholas trotting across the hallway in his PJs, unlocking and locking doors as he went from one side to the other.  Simply crossing the corridor at night entered the daily reports of the guards.  Going across the balcony was not.

There were special 'silent' alarm bells that were set off when the Tsar moved across the hall - any activity that was detected in the Imperial Rooms was recorded and reported the next day.  Alexandra found out that the sound of her flushing the toliet at night was being time stamped and recorded which shocked and embarassed her.  The toliet in the bedroom was right up next to the wall and the plumbing went through the guard rooms below.  The Empress was already shy about these things and this made it worse.  They had a goal of moving the guards on the other side of the Maple Room and New Study, but I don't think it every happened.

I have always found it hard to visualise the corridor.  The artificial marble was moved here from the Stasov Music room when it was demolished and encrusted on the walls.  There were lots of paintings, closets and - of course - the elevator.  I found a diagram of the elevator and its mechanism.  It went into the floor and up into the attic - I was surprised how extensive the apparatus was.  I have never seen a photo of it, but they must exist.

I have one big picture of the vestibule showing servants and guards along with the glass door leading into the hallway.  There must be more in the photo albums.

pastpalacelife

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Re: alexander palace hallways
« Reply #8 on: April 18, 2009, 02:24:14 PM »
So, is the hallway not original to the time of NII?  I had thought only the walls dividing the rooms on each side of the hall were changed from Nicholas and Alex's time.  I've also just realised the interior door at the entrance was glass. 
Also, could someone explain the conference that this book refers to?  Thanks

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Re: alexander palace hallways
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2016, 05:04:54 PM »
In 1915 presentation plates were hung the corridor and 1st entrance lobby.

Entrance lobby - 11 dishes are marked with a red circle "were offered to His Majesty during a trip to the army in September - October 1914"

Corridor - 25 plates

Total number of plates - 175 pieces

In the 4th Entrance - 258 plates

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Offline lilianna

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Re: alexander palace hallways
« Reply #10 on: June 18, 2016, 05:56:59 AM »
Tsarskoye Selo Academic Conference. 1998. It was called "Alexander Palace".

Offline Joanna

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Re: alexander palace hallways
« Reply #11 on: October 15, 2016, 10:08:08 AM »
In this photo from the exhibition on the Alexander Palace in The State Museum-Reserve "Tsaritsyno", you can see the staircase in the first window that led to the 2nd floor:

http://b1.culture.ru/c/469060.jpg

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Offline lilianna

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Re: alexander palace hallways
« Reply #12 on: October 17, 2016, 02:59:02 AM »
When I climbed to the second floor the stairs to the exhibition, this staircase was very difficult. I think that the Empress was difficult to walk on it (like me). Then there was an elevator.

Offline Kevint1us

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Re: alexander palace hallways
« Reply #13 on: October 21, 2018, 03:42:59 PM »
I am curious about lighting in these interior hallways. I m sure it was always lit by some method wince there are no windows and only dim light from the glass foyer doors. Probably in the late 18th century it was candles? Later perhaps kerosene or oil lamps? Was gas ever used in the palace for lighting? It must have been rather "close" in atmosphere.