Alexander Palace Restoration pictures

[PAVLOV]

The doors and the wall sconces are missing. I wonder why they removed the doors ? I hope its just temporary.

[lilianna]

Keep in mind, was a very brutal war. The Nazis destroyed the palace all they could. Doors, floors and all the wooden things they used for their heat. Remember, any photo of the palace in 1944 !!!!! Again, the fascists DESTROY ALL!
I have memories of Anatolia Kuchumova of the palace in January 1944. It describes all the rooms and what was around the palace. In Russian. If necessary, I will send to your mail.

[blessOTMA]

Holly, I greatly enjoyed the video of your trip to AP. I find footage of  the park as effecting as the palace. There is the same kind of " light"( for want of a better term, )  that one sees  in the b/w photos of the family's  time, expect it's in full colour and now. Amazing. The palace looks marvelous as well. So great to see the weeds out of the drive way! Thank you for posting it!

[Vasiliy]

Have you seen it  ?


Shot at 2010-07-21


Shot at 2010-07-21


Shot at 2010-07-21

[markjhnstn]

Very nice. It's really starting to look something again.

[PAVLOV]

I actually think these rooms look wonderful in their almost empty state, as the architectural detailing  of the palace can be fully appreciated.
Looking at these rooms one realises what a brilliant architect Quarenghi really was.
How the Germans could even have contemplated destroying anything this wonderful, I cannot understand.   

 "Less" may be "more" in this case.

[Belochka]

What stunning photographs.

Спасибо Василий!!! [Thank you Vasiliy]

Маргарита

[Jessamy]

Were the original walls white?

[lilianna]

Yes, the walls were white.
 In the book of Vsevolod Ivanovich Yakovlev about decorating the palace in 1928, is written as:"The walls, like the previous (Portrait hall), finished with artificial white marble, rebuilt in 1898... "

[rgt9w]

Is the wall unfinished in the picture of the semicircular hall? The area is in the recess (sorry don't have the correct architectural term) above the two windows behind the chandalier?

[EmmyLee]

I actually think these rooms look wonderful in their almost empty state, as the architectural detailing  of the palace can be fully appreciated.
Looking at these rooms one realises what a brilliant architect Quarenghi really was.
How the Germans could even have contemplated destroying anything this wonderful, I cannot understand.    

 "Less" may be "more" in this case.

Very true. When one looks at photos of the parade rooms in their original state during the IF's lives, with all of those paintings, the furniture, etc., one can hardly see much of the beauty of the structure itself. The palace held so many treasures, but it was and is, in itself, a treasure too.

[lilianna]

Remember that in the staterooms were a lot of flowers. There was even a palm tree.

[Douglas]

Is the wall unfinished in the picture of the semicircular hall? The area is in the recess (sorry don't have the correct architectural term) above the two windows behind the chandalier?

The walls of the Semi-Circular Hall are now finished in lovely off-white marble.  We can see how glass-smooth and reflective they are...just like the original hall was.  The new parquet flooring is perfect and matches the original.  I feel they are doing a magnificent job of restoration so far.

The doors are missing for the reasons stated.  They are now making replacement doors for all the parade room and they will be installed as these room are redone and ready for tourists.  When all the Parade Rooms are complete, the view will be spectacular.

I would hope that the Tsar's Turkish bath can be rebuilt.

[Michael HR]

Well I'm of to Tsarkoe Selo at the first opportunity!

[Jessamy]

What are the chances the Maple Drawing Room will be restored to it's original form?