Part 1 - article from the archives of RSHA & GARF:
Palace of the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna
Soon after her marriage in 1901, the younger sister of Olga Alexandrovna, the Tsar Nicholas II gave her a palace to live in St. Petersburg. The mansion was located on the Great St. Sergius street and was built in 1837 by architect E. Dimmerta for a family kind Barjatinsky . Then in the second half of the XIX century, the palace was rebuilt twice, in 1858-1861 by the architect G.E.Bosse in 1874 I.A.Mertsem .
This palace [ St. Petersburg, ul. Tchaikovsky. AD 46-48 ] , was a classical building , tall and elongated along a central axis. Baryatinsky sold the palace in 1896, the Duke of G.M.Lehtenbergskomu . Ducal race Leuchtenberg was founded by King of Italy - Eugene de Beauharnais , son of Josephine de Beauharnais , Napoleon's wife . Son of Eugene - Maximilian married the daughter of Nicholas I - Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna , and this kind of Dukes of Leuchtenberg in Russia was given the title " Romanov princes ."
Following the acquisition of the palace at St. Sergius , as personal property in 1901, the Cabinet of the princes of the Romanov Imperial Court for the younger sister of Emperor Nicholas II, the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna began remaking the palace under the guidance of architect Stephen Krichinsky , together with the architect G.S.Voynevichem .
The long facade of the palace was decorated with wrought-iron lattice metal with gilt monogram of the Grand Duchess , " OA ." On the facade appeared " coat of arms of the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of a Russian hat , ermine mantle and the imperial crown . Supporters - Russian figures of warriors in chain mail and Shishaki . Right panel - double-headed eagle , the left - six part emblem Russian branch of the Dukes of Oldenburg . "
The palace was electrified Electrotechnical Society " Union " , " light bulbs by 1000 ." By " San Gali" installed steam heating boilers and heaters in the rooms of the palace, the palace was also equipped with a sewer. Then , in the palace has been completely changed the situation according to the taste of the new owners of the Romanov and Oldenburg .
Repair of the roof was completed in 1904, and in 1905 by the architect S.S.Krichinskogo home church was rebuilt . In the years 1903-1905 the palace was redecorated many interiors, from drawings by the artist N.N.Rubtsova in accordance with the tastes of the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna . Marble fireplaces and marble steps, re- manufactured the master Br . Botta, stucco decoration of the grand staircase and its sculptural decoration workshop Sh.F.
Desgrange , gilding and silvering the front living room studio bosses, all the basic carpentry - doors , stairs , panels were made under the guidance of a carpenter Byuhtera in the studio of the famous furniture manufacturer F.F.Melttsera . Coat of arms of the palace, its balcony grilles , and decorative vases in the amount of ten pieces were performed in the studio tsinkoliteynoy G.I.Mittelberga .
The palace was huge, many were newly decorated rooms , living rooms, bedrooms, reception areas and guest rooms, maid's room , and the house church , founded in 1861 and consecrated in the name of St. Mary Magdalene. Standing in the clergy house church was not, as Sundays and public service Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna spent in Fedorovskoye Cathedral of Tsarskoye Selo and his family brother of Emperor Nicholas II.
" The office of the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, the walls were lined with wood paneling white maple , the top half of the indoor walls purple silk. White ceiling , plastered with a pattern on the edge. In the center of the ceiling cloth cover in white maple frame with 8 dangling silver pendant with electric lights and lamps for 32 matter.
Paul graced the huge light green carpet, area 150 yards , on top of which lay a carpet of fur of a polar bear on a green lining and a stuffed fox curled up . Tables, chairs and chair were of light maple , indoor cretonne , and decorated with green skin .
Also in the palace was a green dining room, several lounges and dining rooms spare rooms , magnificent staircase with marble sites. Furniture and wood trim in many halls was performed in the workshop of the famous furniture manufacturer F.F.Meltsera , as in " The large living room with dark oak furniture ."
The living room was decorated with carved oak arches that divide the room, the living room was on the bottom of the staircase with balustrade and semi-columns . The furniture in the " living room of dark oak " was an indoor green silk with green patterns. In the center of the living room was a piano factory " Becker " and the image of the Mother of God in the red corner of the room .
Joanna - to be cont'd