September 16-17, 2005, Photos of AP

[Tsarfan]

One of the things I so admired about the rebuilding of Pavlovsk after WWII was that it was returned as nearly as possible to its original state.  For instance, after the 1803 fire the wood mosaic floors had been replaced with simpler designs, even though the reconstruction was handled by Voronikhin, the original architect.  But the current restoration reverted to the original floor designs that had already passed out of fashion by 1803.

But Pavlovsk is, perhaps, a different situation, as its significance lies more clearly at the artistic end of the spectrum than the historical.  I have to acknowledge that the significance of the Alexander Palace as the last home and the house prison of the ruling family puts it more at the historical end of spectrum.

Many -- perhaps most -- of the posters on this forum are primarily occupied with the Nicholas and Alexandra saga.  I tend to think more in terms of the long heritage of Romanov rule and am more attracted to the artifacts of its glories.

Be that as it may, I think one argument for restoring the Alexander Palace to the state in which Nicholas and Alexandra knew it is to illustrate the point of how monarchy was evolving in the latter half of the 19th century.

Some writers have observed that Empress Elizabeth was the last of the truly Russian rulers -- people of outsized appetites and outrageous displays of wealth whom their subjects truly loved for it.  After her began the slow "Germanization" of the Russian royal house (and, indeed, of other European dynasties), by which is meant the increasing drift toward more bourgeoise values and modes of living.

When I look at the interiors of the Alexander Palace living quarters at the time of the revolution -- the iron camp beds, the pillows that could have come from any variety store, the store-bought furniture, the natty pole lamps, the girls' "double-bunking" -- I'm brought to the realization of just how much longing for a "normal" life had overcome a family that, as rulers of Russia, had no hope of ever experiencing true normalcy.  Indeed, it was the pursuit of that normalcy, with its attendant privacy and freedom from monstrous responsibility, that, at least in part, undid the Romanov dynasty.

Maybe that poignant -- and ultimately futile -- longing is worth preserving, after all.

[Belochka]

I'm brought to the realization of just how much longing for a "normal" life had overcome a family that, as rulers of Russia, had no hope of ever experiencing true normalcy.  Indeed, it was the pursuit of that normalcy, with its attendant privacy and freedom from monstrous responsibility, that, at least in part, undid the Romanov dynasty.

Maybe that poignant -- and ultimately futile -- longing is worth preserving, after all.

Your comments here Tsarfan are very engaging. IMHO you have encapsulated the emotional dilemma the last Imperial monarch probably faced in his final years.

I was completely floored by my visit to the A. P.

While parts of Ekaterininskii Dvoretz drew the crowds, Aleksandrovskii Dvoretz was passed over with only my small family as its guests. The gate was partially open with little evidence that there was anything worthwhile to captivate inside.

I became distraught as the neglect and deterioration revealed itself before my eyes. Mixed emotions overwhelmed me while I wandered at my own pace, through each of the rooms in the public wing. I realized how much was destroyed, stolen or misplaced - leaving few original remnants of the palace's private past.

Such a glorious piece of architectural history must be fully restored before it become impossible to do so.

Many buildings are undergoing restoration in St. P and environs, but the home of its last Emperor remains almost forgotten.

[BobG]

I had always planned to go to St Petersburg only after the Alexander Palace was restored.  I used this forum to learn of its current status.  Then in 2002, I had the opportunity to travel with family to Moscow and Petersburg and made my visit to the AP.  Although I was happy that part of the palace was open to the public, I was so disappointed with the state of the palace and the grounds.  And Scott's pictures tell us that things are only getting worse.

While there is talk of rebuilding the Lower Palace at Peterhof, the AP is getting more and more run down.  What can we do to reverse this trend, and find a way to get the palace back on the restoration track?

Bob

[londo954]

I feel that the preservation of the Alexander Palace must follow TWO tacts if it is to succeed. the building and Parade rooms must be restored to Quarenghi's orginal to preserve the essence of the structure as a wonder of Russian Neoclassicisim,
But in doing this one cannot ignore the historical importance of the building both as a HOME for the Tsars and well as the scene of many importnant historical events of Nicky's reign and the revolution.
Handled properly both avenues can be satisfied. the left wing could be devoted to how the last Imperial Family lived and still be used to showcase the Faberge eggs and other pieces  (That would help pay the bill since I klnow of no one who would nto make the trip to see them while in PEtersburg) The Parade rooms would showcase the palace as a neoclassical monument and the other wing could be devoted to the lives of other Imperial Families since this is where they primarily lived.
Shoiwcasing Nicholas II and his family would undoubtable from a business point of view draw people to the Palace in the same manner that the image of Catherine the Great draws people to that Palace. Even though she is not the Catherine it is named after people go there more times than not to see where she lives. Soem tourists magazine even refer to it as the place where Catherine the Great lived as Peterhof is billed as where Peter the Great lived, even though we know different.
The trick is not just restoring the building but also maintaining ti as a museum and for that requires marketability for future generations. The Alexander Palace as a triump of Russian Neoclassicism, as a showcase of the day to day lives of the Imperial Families, a testament to the reign of Nicholas II (Left Wing) and as a showcase for such artisans as Faberge would more than guarantee patrons to sucha musuem.

[Tania]

Tsarfan, I could not agree with you more.
You state it so well :

When I look at the interiors of the Alexander Palace living quarters at the time of the revolution -- the iron camp beds, the pillows that could have come from any variety store, the store-bought furniture, the natty pole lamps, the girls' "double-bunking" -- I'm brought to the realization of just how much longing for a "normal" life had overcome a family that, as rulers of Russia, had no hope of ever experiencing true normalcy

Tatiana [Tania]

[RichC]

When I look at the interiors of the Alexander Palace living quarters at the time of the revolution -- the iron camp beds, the pillows that could have come from any variety store, the store-bought furniture, the natty pole lamps, the girls' "double-bunking" -- I'm brought to the realization of just how much longing for a "normal" life had overcome a family that, as rulers of Russia, had no hope of ever experiencing true normalcy.  Indeed, it was the pursuit of that normalcy, with its attendant privacy and freedom from monstrous responsibility, that, at least in part, undid the Romanov dynasty.

Maybe that poignant -- and ultimately futile -- longing is worth preserving, after all.

Marvelously astute observations, as usual, Tsarfan.  Nicholas' jailers often commented on his upbeat attitude during his captivity.  He may have been under guard in the last year-and-a-half of his life, but he must have felt freer than ever before in other ways.

Your comments about the living quarters of the IF remind me of the British royal family.  I don't know if anyone else saw this, but a few years ago someone from one of the British tabloids got a job at Buckingham Palace working for the Queen, bringing her her dinner, etc.  He took photos of the Queen's breakfast table, Prince Andrew's bedroom and some other pictures.  The public was shocked by the plainess and generally run-down look of the private rooms of the Royal family.  

[helenazar]

What can we do to reverse this trend, and find a way to get the palace back on the restoration track?

Bob

Bob,

The wheels are already in motion for the AP to be handed over to the TS Museum by the Russian military, after which the museum will begin restoring it. believe it or not, the AP is not nearly in as bad a shape as some of the other palaces were after WWII, and they have been restored and look great! One thing that AP has going for it is that its structure is all original and it never burned down like the Catherine Palace and Pavlovsk (I believe) did. So it will be that much easier to restore it. It actually is not in such a bad shape, relatively speaking. It may take some years, mostly due to funding (as well as some other) issues, but I am convinced that the AP will be restored fully in the not-so-distant future. Unfortunately, at this point there is nothing any of us can do until the ownership of the palace is transferred. Once that happens, things will go much smoother, I think. And there will be ways of helping out for those who would like to, not necessarily by handing over cash, but other ways. We just have to be patient, a lot of progress has been made since even 10-15 years ago  and there is now a light at the end of the tunnel  .

[Belochka]

The wheels are already in motion for the AP to be handed over to the TS Museum by the Russian military, after which the museum will begin restoring it.

Thanks Helen for this ray of hope.  

[BobG]

Helen,
Thanks for the update.  We will keep our fingers crossed that once the transfer is complete, there will be a movement to really fund and restore the palace.  We all look forward to the day when the AP once again is the home of Nicholas and Alexandra!
Bob G

[Greg_D]

Perhaps the approaching 300th anniversay of Tsarskoe Selo in 2010 might be the aim to see the Alexander Palace returned to the Tsarskoe Selo Museum Fund, and at least a partial if not full restoration ...
I imagine the authoriies there would want their exhibits to be at their best in that anniversary year

I agree that hopefully the restoration can be carried out with the utmost sensitivity, and not just as a tourist trap. Having seen the wonders of Pavlovsk though , my hopes and admiration on this score are high  

[helenazar]

Hi Greg  ,

Perhaps the approaching 300th anniversay of Tsarskoe Selo in 2010 might be the aim to see the Alexander Palace returned to the Tsarskoe Selo Museum Fund, and at least a partial if not full restoration ...

Yes, I think that this is what they are shooting for, and hopefully it will work out (maybe it will be even sooner).

I agree that hopefully the restoration can be carried out with the utmost sensitivity, and not just as a tourist trap.

From talking to several people who work at the museum who will probably be involved in the restoration - they seem to have the right ideas, so my hopes are high too!

I am hoping to get out there in 2010, for the TS anniversary,  and I am sure there will be something new to see by then!

[Eurohistory]

What is amazing is to realize that I was there as well on September 17!!!!  I arrived in Petersburg on the 15th after a long trek from the West Coast.

On the 16th I went to the Hermitage, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Admiralty Embankment, the Marble Palace, the Cathedral on Spilled Blood, walked down the nevsky prospekt and had a private tour of the Anichkov Palace.

On the 17th I visited Tsarskoe Selo...what a wonderful place it is.  After looking at the marvelous Amber Room I walked around the splendid gardens and then followed my visit by going to the Alexander Palace, where I ran into someone who is married to a great-great-niece of Tsaritsa Alexandra Feodorovna.  I also walked around the AP gradens, by the children's house on the lake and the entire park.

From there I went to the Feodorovski Sobor, was taken to the Empress' private prayer room and then was given a blessing by one of the priests when he realized that I was going to Siberia and the Urals following in the footsteps of the exiled Imperial Family, an adventure that took me to Tobolsk, Perm, tyumen, Yekaterinburg and Alapaievsk, before returning to Moscow for a four-day visit.

Arturo Beéche

[Lucien]

Welcome back Arturo!Hope you had a wonderfull trip,and by what you tell,it was not just an extensive one,
but must have been very moving as well.Would look forward to a "full report" if possible?
Warm regards,Lucien.

[amelia]

Dear Arturo,


Will you be publishing an article of your trip plus photographs in your Journal?  I would love to have a complete description of this trip. That would be fantastic.  I hope you do. Your articles are always absolutely fabulous.

Amelia

[Douglas]

Yes, a lot of the Empresses' furniture was store-bought and rather ordinary.

The children slept on iron beds and ate porridge for breakfast.

But when you look carefully at the table tops  you see the  priceless Fabrege Easter Eggs, gold/enamel picture frames, gold and diamond boxes, etc., etc.,  that were far above anything the ordinary Russian could afford and are worth millions today.