Alexandra's Balcony

[Douglas]

I have never seen or heard about any glass as being a part of this balcony.  The design does not indicate any glass.

If the Empress did venture out on the balcony in the winter it must have been a nice sunny   day.

Douglas

[helenazar]

If the Empress did venture out on the balcony in the winter it must have been a nice sunny   day.

Douglas

I'm not so sure about that. In St Petersburg, even when it is nice and sunny, the temperatures are brutal (way below zero) in the winter. Yet, it is specifically mentioned that Alexandra laid out on the balcony in January/February! Unless she was bundled in winter clothes and blankets while she did that, just to get fresh air  . It sounds a bit odd... but it's possible, considering that Queen Victoria was a big proponent of "fresh air" therapy, even during the coldest winter, and Alix may have picked up this habit from her.

[Douglas]

Helen: 

I said it was a 'nice sunny day'......I didn't say it was a warm day.

Doug

[Mazukov]

From what i've seen of photo's, the balcony was never glassed in. Rather the IF had been out there bundled up in winter clothing. We do this at home from time to time, we have morning coffee on the deck bundled up for the fresh air.it's very up lifting.

[Douglas]

I could never use the word 'cold' with my Russian friend to talk about Russian winters.

He would always say," It's not cold, it's healthy".

[Ortino]

For the life of me I can't remember where I heard this, but I recall that there were large curtains on the balcony that could be opened and drawn. Perhaps this would have prevented to some extent those chilly winter drafts? 

[Douglas]

Yes, later there were large curtains enclosing the balcony.  These balcony curtains were very typical of aristocratic  homes throughout Russia in that era. 

Sort of like saying, we have so much money we can even have curtains 'outside'.

But they did provide  a practical means of shade and wind control.

They also used folding screens to shield the IF from the nearby public sidewalk and street.

People visiting  Tsarskoe Selo could often  see the IF sitting on their balcony.

[Robert_Hall]

Weren't the "curtains" made of some sort of canvas or oilcloth? Much like what was used on the yachts?

[Sarushka]

It sounds a bit odd... but it's possible, considering that Queen Victoria was a big proponent of "fresh air" therapy, even during the coldest winter, and Alix may have picked up this habit from her.

I think this is entirely possible. I recall reading (perhaps in Dehn or Vyrubova) that the empress often had the windows of the Mauve Boudior thrown open, much to the discomfort of her guests. Also, in Ekaterinburg, when the windows were painted shut and the IF complained of the sweltering heat, it was actually only in the 70 degree range (farenheit, of course). All that leads me to believe that the IF in general and Alix in particular were very fond of fresh air.

[Ortino]

I know there is a picture on the main AP site of the girls when they were younger with shawls over them in the Mauve Room. Alexandra must have inherited her principles on fresh air.

[Douglas]

Oh my, Robert, I doubt the  outdoor drapes were  oilcloth.  Yacht canvas, like umbrella canvas would be too heavy.

They were more likely lightweight cotton denim or some other durable cloth.  Also it would depend on which side the porch was on what type of cloth would be used.  On the north you might like thin cloth and on the south a bit heavier but not too heavy.

Today they use, of course, polyester cloth for outdoors.  It's around eleven dollars a yard and more.

I always like the effect of outdoor drapes.

[ChristineM]

It was canvas or calico.   Cream coloured with a dark royal blue greek key pattern decorating them.   I have had the good fortune to see it.   They still have a quantity of this fabric in the archive at the Catherine Palace.

tsaria

[helenazar]

Thanks, everyone. I think I am convinced now that Alexandra used to lay out on the balcony in the middle of winter bundled up and perhaps with some curtains to cut the wind. Sounds awful, considering how cold it was! Is there really any truth to the theory that very cold = healthy? I am not so sure about that... Maybe the theory is that extreme cold kills certain bacteria?

[Douglas]

Thoughts for Helen A.  & friends............

Some people are not as sensitive to cold as others.  Also I am sure it depends on one's general health.  If I don't feel well any extreme of temp. has a strong effect on me.

But then some people actually prefer cold weather whilst others like warm climes.

I have no idea if cold= healthy.   Maybe it's all in-the-mind.

[Robert_Hall]

Well, personally, I do much better in cold weather, and absolutely go miserable in hot weather.  SF is pretty mild as winters go, but I enjoy  being on my library balcony at that time, whilst everyone else, including the cats, stay inside with the heat!. I loved St.P. in January.
 But then, didn't they usually travel south in the worst of winter? After the "season" which they avoided anyway?