Alexandra's Balcony

[helenazar]

The winter that Alexandra was laying out on the balcony was during the WWI, so they didn't leave for the Crimea that year.

I prefer cold weather to hot too, but I don't think I would want to lay out on a balcony in below zero temperatures...

[Robert_Hall]

Yes, that is pushing it a bit, I guess.

[Mazukov]

When I think of it though, she spent so much time indoors. like  i said before many of mornings we will have coffee on the deck just for the fresh air and yes even when the temp is close to 0

another though for us who live in snow places how many times have we goen out on the deck to crank up the grill and stand there for 45 min or cooking steaks or whatever. I've done it snow stroms. could it be something as smiple as she enjoyed it 

[Dmitry2]

I dislike the heat as I get quite nauseas when the mercury climbs too high.  The cold weather, however, is one that makes me feel quite alive and good.  I love being in it and, as I have some lung problems, find that the cold is wonderful for the congestion. 

Perhaps the Empress felt the invigoration of the cold offset the almost cloying atmosphere and resulting malaise within the palace.  I can vouch for the fact that the cold air can make one feel so alive!

Also, being English, fresh air was considered to be healthy as I was growing up and the Empress was English in so many of her aspects that I would suspect that there was the belief on her part that the colder air would be beneficial to her and her own health.

[pastpalacelife]

Is it still impossible to walk outside around the palace:  near where Alexandra's balcony formerly stood, and also the semi-cicular balcony?  I've seen many pictures of the semi-circle hall balcony, but they always seem to be taken from a long distance.  Also, weren't there sidewalks  around the back?  Couldn't you get onto Alexandra's balcony from the garden by going up steps? 

[ChristineM]

The entire area is cordonoed off with barbed wire.   When I first visited the Alexander Palace there were guard towers with armed guards and spotlights.   These have gone, but the barbed wire remains.

Alexandra's balcony was removed long ago.

It is impossible to access the terrace from outside.    The French doors from the Semi-Circular Hall are opened, very rarely, and it is possible to walk out on to the terrace.

tsaria

[pastpalacelife]

Do you mean that AP visitors are able to go into the semi-circular hall and sometimes even walk out thru the windows onto the balcony?  I didn't think that part of the palace was open!  Tsaria, or anyone else that has been there, can you still see pathways or sidewalks around the back?  I'd really love to see the rest of Helen A's videos!  Has anybody else made videos?

[Belochka]

Do you mean that AP visitors are able to go into the semi-circular hall and sometimes even walk out thru the windows onto the balcony?  I didn't think that part of the palace was open!  Tsaria, or anyone else that has been there, can you still see pathways or sidewalks around the back?  I'd really love to see the rest of Helen A's videos!  Has anybody else made videos?

My daughter and I re-visited the Alexandrovskii Palace in August 2006. Visitors are still only able to visit the left wing and wander around the grounds. Some of the exhibits inside have changed, and now there is a tiny display of books to purchase. We walked through the collonades gracing the facade and imaged their past beauty whilst cautiously tredding on the broken steps. If you are brave you can swim in the lake or the river. The area immediately behind the palace is secured off by an ugly tall wire fence that is made more difficult to approach by the abundant thick tall weeds and bushes. I was more concerned by what might have leapt out rather than gaining access for a better view.

Sadly the palace was more degraded on the outside since my previous visit in 2004. It really is in a dismal condition.

Margarita