Whatever happened to the International petition for the restoration of this palace ? It is going to collapse very soon if nothing is done. Look at the pictures of Ropsha, it was not that long ago that this building was still standing with everything intact. Now there is nothing left but an empty ruin. Is the Alexander palace going the same way ?
I am beginning to think that there is a hiden agenda for not restoring this building. Even relatively insignificant historical buildings in the area are being restored. Maybe on a smaller scale, like the llama pavilion, or the Imperial family's cathedral. There are thousands of cathedrals in Russia to restore, but only one Alexander Palace !
Every now and then someone on this forum reveals that they have set a date for restoration, and we all sigh with relief, but nothing actually ever happens ! Has the Navy left ?
When one looks at the structural neglect alone, it must be astronomical. The Russians are not known for total restoration from the foundations up, other than the post WW2 rebuilding of Pavlovsk, Peterhof etc, but rather for temporary measures. Even when offered the money to do so, they seem to prefer to patch things up. Thats the way it has always been done. The Winter Palace is a perfect example. They have been offered money in the past by big foreign corporations to restore the Winter Palace properly, but have declined because they prefer cosmetic, temporary, Potemkin style renovations. That is the way things have always been done in St Petersburg for hundreds of years.
We can talk about this endlessly on this site, but I think the Russian powers that be should be ashamed of the way they have neglected this beautiful building. It is a very important part of their history, and an architectural masterpiece, not only for Russians, but for the whole world.
Its a disgrace, and I cannot understand why the Russian government has spent hundreds of millions to turn the Konstantinovsky Palace into what looks like a Las Vegas Hotel, while they ignore this very important part of their history. One can argue endlessly about the fact that at least the building was restored, whatever they have done, but personally I think it is an insensitive and ghastly restoration. It was not done for historical reasons, but to impress foreign visitors.
Even if they dont perhaps like the fact that the last Imperial family lived in the Alexander Palace, there are still enough historical reasons left to do something. So what if they bear a grudge ? It is no reason, in my opinion for allowing a building of International Architectural merit to collapse. As I have said before, less important buildings have been restored.
I, for one, just cannot understand it.
My apologies, but when I look at the photographs of this building, and the appalling way in which it has been allowed to lapse into decay,it makes my blood boil !!.
