Author Topic: Alexander Palace Restoration  (Read 292924 times)

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Offline EmmyLee

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #225 on: February 19, 2010, 11:26:25 AM »
Thank you. I too hope that someone will translate the video. I'm especially curious about the 2nd half where they're in the AP and showing some of the work being done. And my, it always surprises me how narrow those hallways look!

Offline Laura Mabee

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #226 on: April 14, 2010, 08:47:10 AM »
I woke up this morning to recieve the best news I have gotten on the Alexander Palace since 1997. It was sent to me via Paul Gilbert and I had to come here to share:

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The large-scale reconstruction project to convert the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoe Selo into a multi-use museum and exhibition complex is fully underway. The historic building, which since the mid-20th century belonged to the naval department, was officially transferred to the Tsarskoe Selo State Museum Reserve (TSSMR) in November of last year. The Museum Reserve, which will oversee the administration of the Alexander Palace, began restoration work of the facades last year and on the interiors this past winter. The development of the project was allocated 43 million rubles from the federal budget.

It was initially believed that the navy had left the palace in relatively good shape, but after further evaluation, experts now note that “the navy have left the palace in a very deplorable state”.

The first truly serious blows to the palace came during the Great Patriotic War – when it received considerable damage during the air raids. The palace suffered extensive damage, including the destruction of the historic interiors, and furniture from the palace was either stolen or destroyed. Reconstruction of the palace took place in the 1950's, with a partial restoration of the interiors and re-creation of the elements of decoration.

A recent survey of the palace concludes that the palace has been seriously neglected with no capital repairs carried out since 1957. The result is the physical deterioration of the monument. Also found to be in a very poor state are all the engineering systems: heating, ventilation, electricity, water supply and sewerage. Their last renovation was carried out in 1970. These systems are all outdated and require complete reconstruction.

However, the plans of the museum are not limited to the restoration and repair of the palace. The project includes the development of the technical upgrading and adaptation of the Alexander Palace for museum use. The long term goal of TSSMR is to create a multi-museum and exhibition complex.

   This will include the actual museum area (with facilities for permanent exhibition and its services, temporary exhibitions, research departments, archives and temporary storage). The cultural and historical center of the Alexander Palace will include a library containing 15-20 thousand items, and a reading room which will also host lectures. The museum will also create space for a cafe and souvenir shops. The latest technical gadgets will offer visitors computer kiosks with touch-sensitive displays, plasma display panels for the demonstration of computer or video, as well as Internet.

The TSSMR believes that the new Alexander Palace museum and exhibition complex will create 100 new jobs for guides, museum caretakers, and technical staff.

The long-term restoration of the palace museum promises to be very expensive. The TSSMR have plans to restore the palace to its original as much as possible, including repainting the facades of the palace. Further plans include renovating and restoring the marble fireplaces and radiators by the firm San Galli, which still operates to this day. The most daring and costly of the restoration work will include the reconstruction of the long lost historical interiors such as the Maple Drawing Room, Rosewood Drawing Room, the Lilac Study of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, Moorish lounge, among others. (OMG! *Does Dance!*)

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, and St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko visited the Alexander Palace on February 21 to inspect the work being carried out. The TSSMR is confident that the palace will be ready to receive guests on June 24th, when Tsarskoe Selo celebrates its 300th anniversary. This event will truly mark a new page in the history of this beloved palace.

Paul Gilbert @ Royal Russia
13 April, 2010

Sources: Fontanka.ru
« Last Edit: April 14, 2010, 08:50:09 AM by Laura Mabee »

PAVLOV

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #227 on: April 14, 2010, 08:53:21 AM »
Well one could just faint. I think Putin is behind this myself. He has deep respect and a lot of pride for the history and architecture of St Petersburg.
I am convinced he is responsible. If so, I change my opinions of him completely !!!
But we will never know.

Offline Laura Mabee

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #228 on: April 14, 2010, 11:37:03 AM »
I am very excited at this news. : D
Can you imagine seeing The Maple Room in all it's glory? OH MAN! I am just bursting with EXCITEMENT!

I also forgot to bold the date of opening. Sorry guys.
Tentative opening date for the first phase is June 24th.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2010, 11:44:42 AM by Laura Mabee »

NAOTMAA Fan

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #229 on: April 14, 2010, 11:43:20 AM »
This has officially made my day.
Wait. No. My entire YEAR : D


Offline Holly

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #230 on: April 14, 2010, 02:37:01 PM »
WOW.

Amazing news!

And I'll get to be there. I could faint.
"Господь им дал дар по молитвам их размягчать окаменелые наши сердца за их страдания..Мне думается, что если люди будут молиться Царской Cемье, оттают сердца с Божией помощью."

http://www.otmaa.org -- Coming Soon.

Greg_D

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #231 on: April 15, 2010, 02:52:25 AM »
AT LAST !!!!!!! That is amazing news.... Im sure (and Hope) that the recreations of the historic interiors will be done in the exacting standards that the Russian craftsmen (and women!) are justly famous for . Be interesting to know what the timescale on these restorations will be.......
Cant wait to see the maple room, a triumph of Art Nouveau

Offline Michael HR

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #232 on: April 15, 2010, 04:56:00 AM »
Wonderful news. Can't wait to see the restored Palace.
Remembering the Imperial Corps Des Pages - The Spirit of Imperial Russia


Offline EmmyLee

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #233 on: April 15, 2010, 04:27:52 PM »
I am very excited at this news. : D
Can you imagine seeing The Maple Room in all it's glory? OH MAN! I am just bursting with EXCITEMENT!

I also forgot to bold the date of opening. Sorry guys.
Tentative opening date for the first phase is June 24th.


So exciting! I wish I could go myself, but I'll have to just look forward to seeing the pictures that other forum members will share. I'm curious what they're counting as "the first phase." That doesn't mean the interiors are supposed to be done by then, right?

aleksandr pavlovich

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #234 on: April 15, 2010, 05:09:28 PM »
Apparently there is no definition given at the moment of "first phase" ?  I would NOT expect to see much of the interiors restored for really some time, especially NOT by this summer!  First will have to come continued/enhanced stabilization, etc.  Their craftsmen are very, very good, but time is not to be rushed to satisfy the gawking relative handful of tourists who meander over from the standout Catherine Palace. It is a trade-off, and an evolving concept: Do it SLOWLY, and do it RIGHT.  The Alexander does not have the "pull," and will, IMO, NEVER be restored to its full interior completeness; witness the present plans for combination SOME exhibition, but "multi-media" use study areas, library, cafe, etc.  I certainly applaud the establishment of space for the multi-media center for Russian history, and not undoubtedly exclusively to Quarenghi, et. al., as well as to mention the establishment of much-needed jobs.  AP
« Last Edit: April 15, 2010, 05:22:06 PM by aleksandr pavlovich »

NAOTMAA Fan

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #235 on: April 15, 2010, 05:58:39 PM »
Another article on the Royal Russia website, concerning the return of furniture and other objects from the Alexander Palace that are now at Pavlovsk Palace, stated this: This comprehensive restoration of the Alexander Palace is expected to be completed sometime in 2015.

Full article here:
http://www.angelfire.com/pa/ImperialRussian/news/79news.html
« Last Edit: April 15, 2010, 06:02:22 PM by NAOTMAA Fan »

aleksandr pavlovich

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #236 on: April 15, 2010, 06:59:29 PM »
Pavlovsk is an absolute gem of restoration/reconstruction.  IMO, after a certain "tokenism" of returns, there will undoubtedly be a struggle documented piece-by-piece, relative to any furnishings said to be taken from the Alexander, that could go on for some time to come.  I am certain that Suzanne Massie wrote a book on Pavlovsk that I read a number of years ago, that included a description of the palace staff's valiant efforts to save examples of its valued and/or typical pieces from destruction during WW II.    AP
« Last Edit: April 15, 2010, 07:26:20 PM by aleksandr pavlovich »

richard_1990

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #237 on: April 16, 2010, 06:34:22 AM »
Quote
Pavlovsk is an absolute gem of restoration/reconstruction.  IMO, after a certain "tokenism" of returns, there will undoubtedly be a struggle documented piece-by-piece, relative to any furnishings said to be taken from the Alexander, that could go on for some time to come.  I am certain that Suzanne Massie wrote a book on Pavlovsk that I read a number of years ago, that included a description of the palace staff's valiant efforts to save examples of its valued and/or typical pieces from destruction during WW II.    AP
I was of the opinion that Pavlosk, out of all the Russian palaces, survived the Soviet period better than any other. I also remember reading that has most of its original furnishings etc. as it was largely offlimits during the Soviet period.

Robert_Hall

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #238 on: April 16, 2010, 06:44:49 AM »
Pavlosk was a priority of restoration after WWII,   The curators convincing Stalin to provide the resources need.   Th e Massie book mentioned is excellent history of the place. IMO, it is the most beautiful and personal of all the Imperial Palaces. What was even more of a benefit, was training the young restorers in various talents that they went on to use  in the other palaces. Sort of a lab/workshop learning experience.
  Now, Pavlosk is in need of some fresh work, it has been  50 years or so,  I think a new roof is in order, amongst other structural enhancements.
« Last Edit: April 16, 2010, 06:49:05 AM by Robert_Hall »

richard_1990

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Re: Alexander Palace Restoration
« Reply #239 on: April 16, 2010, 09:06:06 AM »
My mistake, by Pavlosk I meant the stop over palace in Moscow. The red bricked neo-gothic type palace but not Tsaritsyno, damn! I can't think of its name.

Here it is on google maps: http://maps.google.com.au/?ie=UTF8&ll=55.793507,37.551967&spn=0.005344,0.013078&t=h&z=17
« Last Edit: April 16, 2010, 09:07:49 AM by richard_1990 »