Question about ipatev house's plan

[Sunny]

I'm having some troubles tryign to figure out how it really was ipatev house's plan; pointing out that i'm not an architect nor something like this, AND that i'm a real zero in understanding plants and so on, i think i really need your help.
I found many plans of the house, but i usually use this one, 'cause i think it's clearer:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/535/piantaprimopiano2.jpg/

I just can't understand why there are 2 stairs.
I mean: you open the front door, there's the first stair. First of all: can you, standing HERE, go in the basement? It seems yes.
But in this plan, that refers only to the upper floor, there are two stairs. When that's written "Antichambre" (hall) you can already go in the other rooms. But there isn't ANOTHER stair; why, if there's not another floor? Is it another stair or the same one?

I know it's a odd question, and it's my fault 'cause i'm so stupid i can't read a plan; but i really can't understand. I try to figure out how it was entering there, but i just am too confused. I'm sure you can help me!
So thank you so much!

[TimM]

Hey, don't put yourself down.  I can't read plans like that either.

[Sarushka]

It's not just you. The Ipatiev house is difficult to understand, and it is FULL of stairways. (There are at least four.)

I just can't understand why there are 2 stairs.

I'm not sure, either. It may be because the house was built into the side of a hill, so the street is higher than the yard. One stairway takes you down to the front sidewalk on the east facade, and the other goes down to the courtyard on the north side of the house.

I mean: you open the front door, there's the first stair. First of all: can you, standing HERE, go in the basement? It seems yes.

No, that's the stairway leading from the front door up to the main floor.

But in this plan, that refers only to the upper floor, there are two stairs. When that's written "Antichambre" (hall) you can already go in the other rooms. But there isn't ANOTHER stair; why, if there's not another floor? Is it another stair or the same one?

The stairway in the "Passage" leads down to the courtyard. This was one of two stairways used by NAOTMAA on the night of the executions. At the bottom of the Passage stairway they stepped out into the courtyard from the door on the left, and entered the door on the right:




Another short stairway inside that door led down to the cellar. This plan of the basement level shows the path the IF took to the execution chamber after they reached the courtyard:




The stairway that baffles me is the one inside the room labeled "Chambre." This stairway leads directly from the middle of the house down to the basement! I have no idea why Yurovsky didn't use that more direct route on the night of the murder.

[Rodney_G.]

 Yes, Sarushka, that mid-floor stairway (leading from the Chambre.)Where does it go? Presumably to mid-basement. Yet, it wasn't used on execution night, nor, as far as I know, at all during the Romanovs' stay on that floor. Must be a reason. What is it?

[Sarushka]

Yes, Sarushka, that mid-floor stairway (leading from the Chambre.)Where does it go? Presumably to mid-basement. Yet, it wasn't used on execution night, nor, as far as I know, at all during the Romanovs' stay on that floor. Must be a reason. What is it?

If I recall correctly, the "chambre" was the room shared by Sednev and Kharitonov. My best guess is that the stairway in their bedroom was sealed off somehow to prevent the prisoners and guards from accessing each other's quarters. I really don't know, though. I don't recall seeing that stairway mentioned in any of the testimony I've read -- it's as if it didn't exist.

[Rodney_G.]

 Bingo! It's nonuse and its representing a connection between prisoners and guards makes it highly likely it was sealed.

[Sunny]

@Sarushka, thank you sooo much. I was pretty sure you have had the same difficulties & same questions ^^ thanks a lot.
Now it's clear to me. A 1^ staircase from door to noble floor ---> basement.
A 2^ staircase from here to upper floor ----> IF's rooms (the one i see where there's written "Antichambre").
Separately, the stair from here to the basement.
And then, the one in the "Chambre": i think your guess is right. It would be a direct connection prisoners - guards, so i think it was locked or closed someway.
I recall Avdaev close a stair, but i think it wasn't that one, but the one on terrasse? Mmm this evening i'll check in my TFOTR.

Hey, don't put yourself down.  I can't read plans like that either.

Thank you Tim ^^

[Sunny]

This is not a question about the plan, but still...
Ipatev House's facade is described as being withe whe IF entered it. But looking at modern pics it seems much yellow or cream to me. Do you know if it was repainted or was it the same colour of 1918? Thanks ^^

[LondonGirl]

Yes, Sarushka, that mid-floor stairway (leading from the Chambre.)Where does it go? Presumably to mid-basement. Yet, it wasn't used on execution night, nor, as far as I know, at all during the Romanovs' stay on that floor. Must be a reason. What is it?

If I recall correctly, the "chambre" was the room shared by Sednev and Kharitonov. My best guess is that the stairway in their bedroom was sealed off somehow to prevent the prisoners and guards from accessing each other's quarters. I really don't know, though. I don't recall seeing that stairway mentioned in any of the testimony I've read -- it's as if it didn't exist.

Yes that staircase has made me wonder too! lol. I think I read somewhere that is was cut off from use by a wooden partition of some kind, but whether that just had a door that was locked or whatever who knows. It's really unfortunate the house was demolished. Many things would be a lot more clear!

[LondonGirl]

This is not a question about the plan, but still...
Ipatev House's facade is described as being withe whe IF entered it. But looking at modern pics it seems much yellow or cream to me. Do you know if it was repainted or was it the same colour of 1918? Thanks ^^

I thought the same. Most of the pics taken around or after the time the family was there are black and white, but they look like they have a fairly bright evenness of tone over the whole facade, rather than various levels of shading. It might well have been painted a light cream or something.

EDIT: I've just remembered that certainly white interior paints used at the time would rapidly yellow with age. It's possible the more fresh colour was white, but then later if it was repainted for maintenance the painters may have simply matched the colour they found.

[Sunny]

EDIT: I've just remembered that certainly white interior paints used at the time would rapidly yellow with age. It's possible the more fresh colour was white, but then later if it was repainted for maintenance the painters may have simply matched the colour they found.

That's really interesting London Girl, thanks! I had never thought about it...

[Lady Macduff]

Just to be clear - it doesn't look like Nicholas and Alexandra's room had a door to the parlor. So in order to get to the parlor they had to go through the grand duchesses' room?

[Sarushka]

Just to be clear - it doesn't look like Nicholas and Alexandra's room had a door to the parlor. So in order to get to the parlor they had to go through the grand duchesses' room?

Correct.

[Andrei Beanov]

Not really related - but - Ipatiev house appears in photos on the 'low' side of the road and the 'Church on the blood' looks on the high side of the road.......so it's not built on the exact location , am I correct.?

[Andrei Beanov]

I was looking on Google Earth and the side road is gone but was originally located where the wooden memorial is now located ? Popov house is gone ? But there is an old looking building next door ( current Real Estate office ).
I read somewhere that the Ipatiev house had an outside well and that the Church on the Blood is built over the well ? Have I got my bearings wrong ?
Thanks