Alexander Park Bridge Photo Sought.

[Pavel Mikhailovitch]

Just of curiosity, I was wondering if anyone has knowledge of a modern photo of one of the bridges in the Alexander park? More precisely - the bridge which I presume is on the north side of the palace. A 1917 photo of it is known - Nicholas is sat on the side of the bridge with a guard behind him and Tatiana on HIM's right (with a cat on her lap)*. If it helps it's the one on p230 of N&A The Family Albums by Prince Michael of Greece. (A book full of mistakes but never mind).

*No scanner yet - I'll try down library tomorrow.

[Michael HR]

I think it was Ortino her dog on her lap?

[Ian (UK)]

    I think there is an up to date photo in Peter Kurth's "Tsar" though I will have to check. It's a great source for past & present shots.

[Pavel Mikhailovitch]

I think it was Ortino her dog on her lap?

Might be - I never looked at that tiny bit of the picture that well. I first saw it ages ago , presumed it a cat and just kept that thought. Oooh I stand corrrected.

[Sarushka]

I've collected a number of bridge photos posted by AP tourists over the years:



When I inadvertently deleted my Romanov data last month, the photo credit info wasn't rescued by data recovery. I believe the first picture was taken by Helen Azar, but no clue about the rest.

I think it was Ortino her dog on her lap?

Yes. Although according to the majority of sources, the dog's name was Ortipo.

[Ian (UK)]

    I think there is an up to date photo in Peter Kurth's "Tsar" though I will have to check. It's a great source for past & present shots.

Its on pages 160 & 161

[Ena]

My photos are from November 2008.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/trsny/AlexanderParkBridge2.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/trsny/AlexanderParkBridge1.jpg

[pastpalacelife]

I know the bridge you are talking about, I've also tried to find modern pictures taken at the same spot or side of the same bridge.  The photo showing tatianna, tsar, alexie is the left bridge if you are standing on the semi circle balcony looking out.  So the shots with the parnassus hill behind it would not be the same bridge (if am I correct,?)  I believe the area where the IF sat has been repaired in the last couple of years with new grout.  I would love to see a modern up close detailed picture of the identical spot on the bridge.  If I ever get the chance to go to Tsarskoe Selo there is so much I would want to carefully photograph. 

[pastpalacelife]

Is it possible to request anyone who lives in Tsarskoe Selo or just visiting to take some detailed pictures of the bridge where the Tsar sat so we could compare? 

[CenTexKev]

Here is the link to my new PhotoBucket account which shows you a fairly close-up photo of the bridge.  This bridge is due South, a direct walk to the canal from the Semi-Circular Hall portico.  This photo was taken in September of 2007 and you can see the beautiful fall colors of the trees.  This is also the time of the year when the canals get clogged with algae.  I have no idea how they flush these canals out with a more rapid flow of water.  I go to Saint Petersburg several times a year so I have hundreds of photos.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s46/centexkev/AlexPalace/Tour07A487.jpg

Hope this meets your needs.
Kevin

[pastpalacelife]

Great, thanks!  Do you think that is the correct spot where NII and Tatianna sat?  Your other pictures were fab too!  I'm guessing the fence must be down that separated the balcony from the park.  I love the detail you captured in the balcony ramps.  It seems like in the old pic's with the children, you could see there were drain holes and also the grout looked cracked, and I think that crack was still visible.  It helps figure out the exact spot where the family stood.  I probably sound nutty, but I love to compare spots in/around the palace with the same location in the present.  I wish someone had a better shot of the granite bench or rock that Alexandra was sitting on near Babolova Palace, perhaps take a pic from the same angle as the original. 

[CenTexKev]

Yes, this is definitely the same bridge that Nicky and Tatiana were photographed on.  It is also the correct side.  During their house confinement under the Kerensky government, they were not allowed to pass over the canal behind the A.P.  There was a guard posted on each bridge.  Therefore the side I intentionally photographed is the correct side.   I had the 1917 photo in mind when I took this photo.  IMHO, you're not nutty, I have the same fascination in comparing old photos to new photos of the same locales.  A very small way to feel faintly connected to the past - to see what they must have been seeing at the moment.

By the way, the security fence with barbed wire top and corner guard towers were removed when the Navy finally moved out in 2009.  The area is now completely open.  I hope that they rebuild Alexandra's patio, but I would not hold my breath.

[blessOTMA]

..... I have the same fascination in comparing old photos to new photos of the same locales.  A very small way to feel faintly connected to the past - to see what they must have been seeing at the moment.

I completely agree....I get a thrill just looking at your photos....must of been amazing to be there. Places like that  one has visited within the mind so much, it would be a shock to physically be there . But I hope to do so some day. Thanks  to  everyone for their modern  photos
 

[Holly]

I went yesterday and here are a few of the pictures I got:

[EmmyLee]

Those are lovely, Holly. I especially appreciate the new angles we can see it from. Do you have more pictures to share? If so, I'd love to see them!