Nicholas II

How France appropriated the Imperial Russian Black Sea Fleet

PHOTO: A brigade of battleships of the Imperial Russian Black Sea Fleet in the Northern Bay of Sevastopol, 1910s

The history of the Imperial Russian Black Sea Fleet after the October 1917 Revolution is not just a page in a military chronicle. This was a tragedy in several acts, where ships became bargaining chips in political games, hostages of ideologies and, ultimately, scrap metal in a foreign land. The fleet created by Empress Catherine II, which survived the Crimean War and was revived by Emperors Alexander III and Nicholas II, was destroyed not by the enemy, but by the course of history.

Battleships that did not reach Tsargrad

Following the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05, in which much of the Imperial Russian fleet had been destroyed, Emperor Nicholas II embarked on an ambitious reorganization of the navy. By 1917, the Black Sea Fleet was at the peak of its power.

Nicholas II was preparing a grandiose landing operation to capture Constantinople. Iin the summer of 1916, he appointed Vice-Admiral Alexander Vasilyevich Kolchak (1874-1920) at the head of the fleet. The plan was ambitious: fire support from the sea and a massive landing of troops to capture the city. The spring of 1917 was to be decisive.

But instead of a campaign against Tsargrad[1], the February and October 1917 Revolutions broke out. The fleet, which could change the course of world history, found itself in the epicenter of chaos.

Lenin’s order: drown, but not surrender

In April 1918, German troops entered the Crimea. The commander of the Baltic Fleet, Vice Admiral Mikhail Pavlovich Sablin[2] (1869-1920), in order to save the ships, ordered to take them to Novorossiysk[3]. Not everyone obeyed his order, but the main part of the Baltic Fleet – including the latest battleships – took refuge in the Tsemes Bay.

The Germans demanded the extradition of the ships. Formally, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk did not give them such a right, but the Bolsheviks did not have a real force to resist. And Lenin made a Solomonic decision: the fleet should not fall into the hands of the enemy.

On 6th June 1918, a secret telegram went to Novorossiysk: to scuttle the ships.

PHOTO: Vice Admiral Alexander Kolchak and Vice Admiral Mikhail Pavlovich Sablin

Sablin, having learned about Lenin’s order, was horrified. He foresaw that Germany was about to collapse, and then the ships would return. True, they would return not to the Soviet power, but to the Whites. For a officers and sailors of the Imperial Russian Navy, the death of their own Baltic Fleet was unthinkable.

The admiral himself went to Moscow to dissuade Lenin. The risk was fatal: he was arrested, but he escaped.

And on 17-18 June 1918, the main forces of the Black Sea Fleet were sunk by the Germans in the Tsemess Bay. The battleship Free Russia (formerly Catherine the Great) and dozens of other ships sank to the bottom.

Under three flags

Sablin’s prediction came true. In November 1918, Germany capitulated. The ships of the Entente entered the Black Sea. Russian ships interned by the Germans came under the control of the Allies. General Anton Denikin’s (1872-1947) long negotiations with the French and British began on the return of the fleet.

During 1919, most of the ships were returned to the Russians. The battleship “Volya” was renamed “General Alexeev” – it again carried the St. Andrew’s flag, but under the command of the Whites[4]. In 1920, Wrangel received the remnants of the fleet.

Sablin, again headed the fleet, however, the admiral’s health was undermined [5]. In mid-1920 he fell seriously ill with liver cancer and was replaced by Admiral M. A. Kedrov on 12th October 1920.

The fleet was now preparing for the worst: the Great Russian exodus of 1920, which saw the evacuation of more than 140,000 soldiers and civilians from the ports of Crimea.

PHOTO: A brigade of battleships of the Imperial Russian Black Sea Fleet

Assylum deposit

The scarcity of material resources of the Crimea forced General Pyotr Nikolayevich Wrangel (1878-1928) to conclude enslaving deals with the Western powers in order to receive from them first assistance in arms and food in the war, and then, when the war was finally lost by the Whites, to provide shelter to the servicemen of the White Army, members of their families, civil servants of the Whites and all persons who fled from Russia, fearing reprisals from the Bolsheviks.

Until the last days of the White Army’s stay in the Crimea, Wrangel’s representatives abroad negotiated with the French government on the provision of a loan. But the White Army’s collapse came very quickly. Wrangel had no other way to pay the French for asylum than to pledge the entire Black Sea Fleet, and not only the military, but also the merchant fleet.

On 13th November 1920, the day before the abandonment of Sevastopol, Wrangel wrote to the plenipotentiary representative of France, Count Damien de Martel (1878-1940): “I believe that these ships should serve as a pledge for the payment of those expenses that have already been incurred by France or may be due to her, for the provision of first aid caused by the circumstances of the present time.”

Undoubtedly, this was not improvisation. This step was prepared in advance. France could be pleased. The entire Imperial Russian Black Sea Fleet passed into its hands, or rather, what was left of it after the events of the revolution and the civil war.

After transporting the Russian refugees to Constantinople, the Princes’ Islands and Gallipoli, the ships of the Russian squadron (as it became officially called) arrived at Bizerte, the French naval base in Tunisia. There, the Russian squadron continued to exist until 1924, although its personnel, due to the impossibility of maintaining it, were written off on the shore and shared the fate of all Russian exiles as early as 1922.

Ships for scrapping

It became increasingly clear that the Whites would never be able to resume the struggle for Russia. In 1924, France officially recognized the USSR and established diplomatic relations with it. At the same time, it agreed to return to the USSR serviceable ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

In order to determine the specific ships to be returned to the Soviet Union, a plenipotentiary Soviet commission arrived in Bizerte.

However, in conservative political circles in France and in the White émigré press, a campaign was launched against this part of the agreement. France sabotaged its implementation. In the end, the Soviet Union was satisfied with a small monetary compensation for the Black Sea Fleet. The deal was formalized as the sale of ships for scrapping.

Thus ended the existence of the Imperial Russian Black Sea Fleet. However, not quite. Some ships were raised from the bottom of the Tsemess Bay and restored in the 1920s. One of them, the destroyer Kaliakria, entered the Soviet Black Sea Navy under the new name Dzerzhinsky and was blown up by a mine in 1942. Two more – “Elborus” and “Serbia” – worked as transport ships and also sunk during the Great Patriotic War.

PHOTO: the battleship Empress Maria of the Imperial Russian Black Sea Fleet

NOTES:

[1] Tsarigrad, is a Slavic name for the city or land of Constantinople (present-day Istanbul), the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

[2] Mikhail’s brother Nikolai Pavlovich Sablin (1880-1937, was a prominent officer of the Imperia Russianl Navy, a participant in the Battle of Tsushima and the Life Guards Dragoon Regiment. From 1906 to 1914, Sablin served on the Imperial Yacht ‘Standart‘, eventually becoming her commander. In 1914. Sablin became the naval Aide de camp to Emperor Nicholas II.

[3] In 1920, Nicholas II’s youngest sister Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna (1882-1960), her husband two sons travelled by train to Novorossiysk and took shelter in the Danish Consulate. Other members of the Russian Imperial Family who found temporary sanctuary including Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna (1854-1920), along with her sons Grand Duke Andrei Vladimirovich (1879-1956) and Grand Duke Boris Vladimirovich (1877-1943) and his future wife, Zinaida Rashevskaya. It is interesting to note that Grand Duchess Maria was the last of the Romanovs to escape Bolshevik Russia and the first to die in exile.

[4] The Russian Whites in 1919 were a coalition of anti-Bolshevik forces that emerged during the Russian Civil War (1917-1922). Their goal was to to overthrow the Bolshevik regime and restore the old order in Russia. The Whites received support from foreign powers like Britain, France, Japan, and the United States, who were concerned about the spread of communism. Despite initial successes in various battles, the Whites struggled with unity and coordination, leading to fragmented military efforts against the Reds. Key leaders of the White movement included Admiral Alexander Kolchak and General Anton Denikin, each representing different factions and ideologies within the broader anti-Bolshevik cause. The defeat of the Whites in 1920-1921 solidified Bolshevik control over Russia and led to the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922.

[5] Vice Admiral Mikhail Pavlovich Sablin died in Sevastopol on 17th October 1920, aged 51. He was buried in Sevastopol in St. Vladimir’s Cathedral.

“Nicholas II showed himself as a responsible reformer” – Valentina Matviyenko

Posted on 1 Day Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: fist page of the Imperial Manifesto of Emperor Nicholas II
of 20th February (5th March, New Style), 1906

On 20th February 2026, Russia celebrates the 120th anniversary of the signing of the manifesto by Emperor Nicholas II, which marked the beginning of the modern bicameral organization of legislative power in Russia. On this important historic date, parliamentarians of various levels and all Russians were congratulated by Chairman of the Federation Council and Senator from St. Petersburg Valentina Matviyenko.

According to her, the decision of Nicholas II to transform the State Council from an advisory structure to a legislative one was a truly prophetic choice of the right model of the state structure of multinational and multi-confessional Russia.

“The Russian Emperor showed himself as a responsible reformer, who first thought not about protecting the sacredness of his power, his autocracy, but about the effectiveness of governing the country. Nicholas II consciously divided the legislative function between the two highest state institutions – the reformed State Council and the State Duma – and thus, laid down a bicameral domestic parliamentary tradition, which has been justifying itself for more than a century . . . “, she added.

In the historic manifesto, Nicholas II pointed out that the law could not come into force without the approval of both chambers. This rule is still preserved by the modern Russian parliament: after approval by the State Duma, the law goes to the Federation Council and after consideration by senators it goes to the President for signature.

Valentina Matviyenko held a meeting in the Upper House with the head of the Federal Archival Agency (Rosarkhiv) Andrei Artizov and the scientific director of the State Archives of the Russian Federation (GARF) Sergei Mironenko. They showed Matvienko the original of the manifesto of Emperor Nicholas II of 20th February (5th March, New Style), 1906, which laid the foundation for the modern bicameral organization of legislative power in Russia. It announced the reorganization of the State Council, with the granting of rights to it “in matters of legislation” and with the involvement of “elected representatives of the population”.

“This is a very important document for us, and a memorable date. In fact, it laid the foundation for a bicameral parliamentary system. Already on 27th April 1906, as you know, there was the first joint meeting of the State Council and the State Duma,” Matviyenko said.

PHOTO: (above) Valentina Matviyenko familiarizes herself with the original of the Imperial Manifesto of Nicholas II; (below) Matviyenko meets with Andrei Artizov (left) and Sergei Mironenko (right).

She thanked Artizov and Mironenko for the opportunity to hold this historic document in her hands and to get in touch with Russia’s history.

“I have great respect for those people who work in the archives, who preserve our documentary sovereignty, the history of our country. As a rule, they are very modest people, but they are devoted to their profession and their work. I understand and appreciated the significant dedication of preserving these archives”, she added.

During the meeting, the state and prospects of archival affairs in Russia were discussed. They recalled that in the early 1990s, noting the great contribution of Valentina Matviyenko to the preservation of priceless documents and the building of the State Archives.

Matviyenko proposed an archival exhibition for the 120th anniversary of parliamentarism in Russia, which would include the original copy of the manifestos of Nicholas II, which formed the legislative branch of power, in the Tauride Palace of St. Petersburg.

Earlier, the speaker said that in 2026, the spring session of both the Upper and Lower Chambers of the Federal Assembly has a special resonance in the history of Russian parliamentarism, which turns 120 this year. She noted the choice of the model of legislative power, which Nicholas II made 120 years ago, laying down a “bicameral domestic parliamentary tradition,” prescient.

Obituary: Alexander Nikolaevich Avdonin (1932-2026)

Posted on 1 Day Ago by Paul Gilbert

Alexander Avdonin, the Ural geologist who discovered the remains of Nicholas II and his family in 1979, died in Ekaterinburg on 20th February 2026, at the age of 93.

In May 1979, working in secret, Alexander Avdonin, together with the writer and screenwriter Geliy Trofimovich Ryabov (1932-2015), discovered the place where the remains of the Imperial Family and their four faithful retainers were hidden by the regicides in July 1918. For 12 years, the Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences kept this secret. It was only in 1991, following the fall of the Soviet Union, the remains were exhumed and identified. Avdonon and Ryabov’s discovery is considered one of the most significant events in post-Soviet Russia’s history.

Alexander Nikolaevich Avdonin was born in Sverdlovsk [Ekaterinburg] on 10th June 1932, in the family of a civil engineer Nikolai Gavrilovich and a housewife Ksenia Ivanovna Avdonin. After graduating from school, in 1948, he entered the Sverdlovsk Mining and Metallurgical College. He graduated in 1952 with a degree in geology technician. From 1952 to 1957, he studied at the Faculty of Geology and Geophysics of the Sverdlovsk Mining Institute, receiving the specialty of geophysical engineer.

PHOTOS: Alexander Avdonin with Prince Michael of Kent at the Sverdlovsk Regional Museum of Local Lore in Ekaterinburg. June 2012

From 1957 to 1991, Avdonin worked in the Ural Geological Administration as the head of experimental and methodological research in the Ural Geophysical Expedition. In 1981, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences.

Following the exhumation of the Ekaterinburg Remains in 1991, Avdonin founded the Yekaterinburg Public Discovery Foundation and became its chairman. In 1993, he was included in the government commission for the identification of the remains of the Imperial Family and remained a member until the burial of Nichola’s II and his family’s remains in St. Petersburg on 17th July 1998.

From 1993, Avdonin worked as a senior researcher at the Sverdlovsk Regional Museum of Local Lore. He was the organizer and member of the creative team for the exhibitions “Russia. The Romanovs. The Urals” (1993) and “The Romanovs: Return to History” (1997). In addition, he he was in charge of the museum’s “Hall in Mmemory of the Romanovs”.

Alexander Avdonin was the author of monographs and scientific articles, and the initiator of the scientific “Romanov Readings” conferences. He gave public lectures at universities in Russia, as well as the United States, Italy, Spain, Germany, and other countries.

Alexander Avdonin’s funeral will take place on Sunday, 23rd February, in the village of Kurganovo, Sverdlovsk region, where he recently lived.

Alexander Nikolaevich Avdonin (1932-2026)
Memory Eternal! Вечная Память!

Thousands of items at Pavlovsk have not been returned to the Alexander Palace

Posted on 3 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: Pavlovsk Palace (top) and the Alexander Palace (bottom)

NOTE: this article was originally published on 18th February 2025, it was updated with additional information and photographs on 18th February 2026 – PG

In 1951, by a government decree, the Alexander Palace was transferred to the Ministry of Defense of the USSR. The Naval Department used the building as a top-secret, submarine tracking research institute of the Baltic Fleet.

Any hope of the Alexander Palace being reopened as a museum – as it was before the Great Patriotic War (1941-45) – were now lost. The palace’s collection, which consisted of thousands of items, and which had been part of the evacuated items held in the Central Depository of Museum Collections of Suburban Palaces-Museums, were at this point transferred to the Pavlovsk Palace State Museum.

From 1951, the Alexander Palace would remain strictly off-limits to visitors for the next 45 years. When it appeared that the Soviet Navy intended to vacate the complex, the Alexander Palace was included in the 1996 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund (WMF).

In the summer of 1997, a permanent exhibition dedicated to Emperor Nicholas II and his family was opened in the Eastern Wing of the palace. It was at this time that my annual Romanov Tour became the first group from the West to visit the interiors of the Alexander Palace.

Despite the exhibition, the rest of the palace remained under the administration of the Naval Department, who continued to occupy the Western Wing. It is due to their occupancy in this section of the palace, that very few of the original interiors and their elements survived.

PHOTO: he Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo, as it looked in the early 1990s, when the palace was still surrounded by a security fence and watchtower.

It was not until October 2009, according to the order of the Federal Property Management Agency, that the Alexander Palace was placed under the administration of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum Reserve.

After an extensive restoration project which began in the autumn of 2015, the private apartments of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna opened to public on 13th August 2021.

Visitors to the Alexander Palace can now tour 13 recreated interiors, : the New Study of Nicholas II, Moorish Bathroom of Nicholas II, Working Study of Nicholas II, Reception Room of Nicholas II, the Valet’s Room, PLUS the Maple Drawing Room, Pallisander (Rosewood) Living Room, Mauve (Lilac) Boudoir, Alexandra’s Corner Reception Room, the Imperial Bedroom, the Small and Large Libraries and the Marble/Mountain Hall.

In addition, 3 State Halls: the Portrait Hall, the Semi-Circular Hall and the Marble Drawing (aka the former Billiard) Room. were restored and opened to the public in July 2025.

Today, more than 6 thousand items from the funds of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Reserve are displayed in the recreated interiors of the Alexander Palace.

In a recent interview with Art Newspaper Russia, the Director of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Reserve Olga Taratynova talked about the restoration of the Alexander Palace and the reconstruction of the Private Apartments of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.

“The Alexander Palace suffered much less than the Catherine Palace,” said Taratynova. “Unlike the Catherine Palace, it was not destroyed by fire [as a result of shelling by the Nazis]. Instead, it endured a different fate. The Alexander Palace served as the residence of the family of the last Emperor, and it is a miracle that anything survived at all,” she added.

“For Alexander Pushkin’s anniversary in 1949, an exhibition dedicated to him was opened in the palace, and for this purpose, a number of interiors were lost. Soviet dogma of the time believed that Art Nouveau was a decadent style, citing no need to preserve it. And then the building was transferred to the Ministry of War. In 2009, when the Alexander Palace was transferred to us [the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Reserve], we quickly carried out “cosmetic repairs” in three of the State Halls and opened them to the public. But all the things were in Pavlovsk. They were transferred there in 1951, and have remained there ever since, Taratynova continued”

PHOTO: Director of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Reserve Olga Taratynova

“In preparation for the reopening of the Private Apartments of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovan in 2021, they [Pavlovsk State Museum] gave us about 200 items from their collection for “temporary use”. We knew from inventories and photographs, that these items originated in the Alexander Palace], and knew exactly where they were historically located. So I can’t complain, Pavlovsk assisted us. But they did not return everything, of course, because many of the items have been on display in Pavlovsk Palace for many years now.”

“Now in the Alexander Palace, we have tried to create the atmosphere of a beloved home. This was really the case – an intimate space, where Nicholas II invited only a small circle of close friends and trusted associates. And in the apartments of Alexandra Feodorovna and the children, only extended family members and devoted servants were allowed. We tried to focus on the atmosphere, we even added sound: in some rooms, for example, you can hear, the sounds of billiard balls, in others – a distant piano playing. There are also smells – first of all, the scent of lilacs, because Alexandra Feodorovna loved them very much, they now bloom in her rooms. We revived this tradition two years ago, our gardeners have been growing lilacs even in winter,” Olga Taratynova concluded.

***

PHOTO: view of one of the halls of the Museum of Costumes in Pavlovsk Palace

In the 1990s, the “Museum of Costumes” was opened in the south wing of Pavlovsk Palace. Several small halls are filled with glass display cases showcasing authentic clothing and accessories which belonged to members of the imperial family during the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

Of particular note are the dresses and evening gowns worn by the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna [wife of Emperor Alexander III and mother of Emperor Nicholas II] and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna [wife of Emperor Nicholas II]. But, what is odd about these exhibits, is that neither Empress ever lived at Pavlovsk, these dresses and gowns originated from the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

Other glass display cases showcase many of the personal items which belonged to the two Empresses. These include fans from Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna’s vast collection, plus elegant handbags, umbrellas, gloves, hats and other accessories.

One of the most interesting exhibits are two decorative kokoshniks [see photo below], which belonged to the Grand Duchesses Tatiana and Anastasia Nikolaevna, which again, originated from the Alexander Palace.

In addition, the third floor of Pavlovsk Palace is dedicated to the history of Russian furniture, featuring many items from the Alexander Palace, which were transferred there in 1951.

The author of this article has personally visited the Museum of Costumes and the furniture exhibit on two seperate occasions. It is interesting to note that no where in either exhibit, does it mention that the items on display originated or belong to the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

PHOTO: kokoshniks, which belonged to the Grand Duchesses Tatiana and Anastasia Nikolaevna on display in the Museum of Costumes at Pavlovsk Palace

***

Prior to the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War in 1941, the Alexander Palace housed more than 52.5 thousand items, of which more than 44.8 thousand items were lost [destroyed or stolen] between 1941 to 1945. From the 7.7 thousand items which survived, a significant part of the items are now in the collection of other museums in Russia. Among these were 5,615 items, which were moved from the Alexander Palace to the Pavlovsk State Museum Reserve in 1951. Of these, nearly 200 pieces were originally from the Alexander Palaces’ three ceremonial halls: the Portrait, Semi-Circular and Marble Halls. These include 39 pieces of porcelain, 41 paintings, 73 decorative bronze pieces, and 28 pieces of furniture.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, and in particular since the restoration of the Alexander Palace, the return of these objects has been a bone of contention between the two palace-museums. During a visit to Pavlovsk several years ago, I raised the subject with one of the Directors [who shall remain anonymous] at Pavlovsk. “If we return these exhibits to the Alexander Palace, then we [Pavlovsk] will have nothing,” he declared.

Personally, this author believes that Pavlovsk have a moral responsibility to return all of the items transferred there in 1951. The history of these items is connected to the Alexander Palace, not Pavlovsk Palace. It seems that the current Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Olga Lyubimova, should step in to right this historic wrong. Let us hope that she does the right thing, and order the return of the 5,615 items to the Alexander Palace, where they can be put on display in the rooms from which they originated.

***

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Tsar’s Gazebo to be restored in Krasnoyarsk

Posted on 12 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: early 20th century image of the Tsar’s Gazebo in Krasnoyarsk

The restoration of the Tsar’s Gazebo, a significant historical object marking Nicholas II’s visit to the Siberian city n Krasnoyarsk in 1891, will soon begin. The gazebo once stood in the former City Garden Park (renamethe Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure in 1934). The work will take place during the current large-scale reconstruction and landscaping of the park.

The gazebo was erected in 1891 by a decision of the City Duma to mark Tsesarevich and Grand Duke Nikolai Alexandrovich, the future Emperor Nicholas II’s visit to Krasnoyarsk. The gazebo was constructed in the historical center of the city, on the left bank of the Yenisei.

The structure was built in the Neo-Russian style with rich folk carvings, colored tiles, hipped roofs[1] and turrets.

In 1913, the Norwegian polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen (1861-1930), who visited Krasnoyarsk, wrote: “We visited the city park, which is reputed to be the finest in all of Siberia. It was autumn time, and the flowers had already withered, but judging by the trees, coniferous and deciduous, one could imagine that in summer the park was a wonderful place for walking.”

PHOTO: Tsesarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich in Krasnoyarsk on 1st July 1891

Tsesarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich arrived in Krasnoyarsk on 1st July 1891, on his return journey across the Russian Empire to St. Petersburg, following his historic Eastern Journey (1890-91). He arrived on the steamship St. Nicholas[2], and solemnly welcomed by city officials with the traditional bread and salt[3].

During his stay, Nicholas Alexandrovich attended a Divine Liturgy in the city’s main Orthodox church, followed by a review of a local regiment. He was even gifted with a horse, which he later sold, giving the money to charity.

At 7 o’clock in the evening, a gala evening which consisted of a dinner and musical accompaniment in honour of the future Emperor Nicholas II was organized by the city’s nobility, in one of the elegant new pavilions constructed in the park.

During dinner, a speech was made honouring the reigning Emperor Alexander III and his family, a special toast was made to Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich. Guests were served exquisite dishes, which included taimen [aka Siberian salmon], quails and local game, caviar and various varieties of Dutch cheese, French truffles and German sausages.

After the departure of the future emperor, the pavilion received the unofficial name “Tsarskaya”. It was then occupied by the Public Assembly Club. In 1909, the building was leased to firefighters, who were also responsible for maintaining order in the park. And in the pavilion itself, a major renovation was carried out making it an all-season building. The income from renting the building also went to the upkeep and maintenance of the City Garden Park.

In the first years of Soviet power, the building housed the Rykov Club, then the city trade union council, and even later it was occupied by the administration of the park.

PHOTO: artist’s concept of the restored Tsar’s Gazebo in Krasnoyarsk

In a 1924 city plan, the gazebo is still visible among the greenery and from an aerial image from 1968. According to the State Protection of Cultural Heritage sites of the Krasnoyarsk Region, the gazebo was preserved on the city plans until 1968. It is generally believed that the gazebo was demolished during the reconstruction of the park and the expansion of the main alley around 1970. Sadly, by the end of the 20th century, neither the gazebo building no longer existed.

Reconstruction work on the new gazebo will include the installation of the foundation, basement and pavement, the installation of the roof, as well as interior finishing and electrical installation work.

The gazebo will be made of local timber. Particular attention will be paid to the quality of materials so that the new gazebo becomes an aesthetically attractive object that organically fits into the surrounding landscaped gardens. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026.

NOTES

[1] A hipped roof, or hip roof, is a roof design where all sides slope downwards to the walls, creating a uniform and stable structure without gables.

[2] The steamship St. Nicholas decommissioned in 1927, and in 1960 was sent to the “ship’s graveyard. It was restored in 1970, and is today a museum, situated on the embankment of the Yenisei in Krasnoyarsk.

[3] When important, respected, or admired guests arrive, they are presented with a loaf of bread (usually a korovai) placed on a rushnyk (embroidered ritual cloth). A salt holder or a salt cellar is placed on top of the bread loaf or secured in a hole on the top of the loaf.

“They Suffered for the Faith”: Russia honours the memory of Nicholas II and his family

Posted on 13 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

On the Day of Remembrance of the Synaxis of the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church

There is a day in the Orthodox calendar when the faithful remember those who suffered during the years of persecution of the Church. This feast day changes from one year to the next. That is, the established date of 7th February (25th January according to the Old Styke Julian calendar) may change depending on the day of the week. Since the feast is always celebrated on Sunday, this year it falls on 8th February.

The Russian Church spoke with the cleric of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Slonim, Priest Nikolai Savitsky.

The meaning of the holiday

On Sunday, divine services will be held in Orthodox churches in memory of the New Martyrs and Confessors. These are the faces (categories) of holiness in Christianity, indicating the feat of faith.

“A martyr is someone who died for Christ, and a confessor is someone who endured persecution for the faith, but survived,” explains Priest Nikolai Savitsky. — On 8th February, the church commemorates the New Martyrs — those who suffered in the twentieth century. At the moment, 1623 saints are known, but research continues. Clergy are given access to personal files and archives. The history of the church is studied, new facts are discovered. It takes time to confirm them — this is very serious and painstaking work. When people did not deviate from their faith until their last breath, they are then considered. We must then learn about them in order to perform glorification.

On the Day of Remembrance of the Synaxis of the New Martyrs and Confessors, it is important to read the biographies of several saints in order to understand how much they suffered.

Vneration of the Tsar’s family

There is an icon of the Synaxis of the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church, in the center of which the Tsar’s family is among the saints. Recall that Emperor Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra Feodorovna and their five children (Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Tsesarevich Alexei) were the last Imperial Family of Russia. After the abdication of Nicholas II from the throne on 15 March 1917 (O.S. 2 March) 1917, the family was initially held under house arrest in the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo, before being sent into exile to Tobolsk. Then they were transferred to Ekaterinburg, where they were shot in the Ipatiev House on the night of 16/17 July 1918.

“Yes, history needs to be studied, but it is so twisted and distorted that it is very difficult to get to the bottom of the truth. Nevertheless, the Tsar’s family are glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church – after this fact, questions should disappear,” the priest emphasizes. – The Emperor, his wife and children were canonized in 2000 as passion-bearers. These are saints who suffered during their lifetime or were martyred, but not for confessing their faith in Jesus Christ. As a rule, they became victims of the hatred and deceit of their enemies for other, very different reasons. Virtue is that they met death without malice and resistance. In order to further increase the evil in the world by their resistance, in truly Christian humility and love for those who have hurt them. In this love, the passion-bearers became like Christ, Who humbly accepted crucifixion, death and forgave His tormentors.

Holy Royal Passion-Bearers, pray to God for us!
Святые царственные страстотерпцы, молите Бога о нас!

FURTHER READING

Prayer to the Holy Martyred Tsar Nicholas II

Two NEW books on the Alexander Palace

Posted on 13 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

I am pleased to a nnounce the release of a NEW edition of The Empress’s Balcony (published in 2026) and it’s companion volume The Empress’s Chair (published in 2023).

I have compiled two unique pictorials dedicated to two of the most iconic spots in the Alexander Palace – the former residence of Russia’s last Imperial Family at Tsarskoye Selo – both of them favourite spots for the rest and relaxation of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.

The Empress’s famous balcony and the corner chair in her Mauve Boudoir served as the settings for hundreds of iconic photographs of herself, the Tsar, their children, as well as extended family members and those close to the Imperial Family.

Each of these pictorials feature more than 100 full-page black-and-white photos. The accompanying text explores the history of both the balcony and chair, as well as the history and recreation of the Maple Drawing Room and Mauve Boudoir. While the balcony was demolished during the Soviet years, the Empress’s chair has recently been recreated for the restored interior of her Mauve Boudoir, which opened to the public in 2021.

Each of these charming pictorials will be a welcome addition to any one who shares an interest in the Alexander Palace and its Imperial residents during the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

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*This title is available from AMAZON in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia,
France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Japan

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE PAPERBACK EDITION @ $13.99 USD

English. 112 pages, 100 black & white photos

Originally published in 2023, this NEW 2026 edition features a NEW cover, plus two additional pages and NEW photographs

Between 1896-1898 – the Court architect Silvio Danini carried out the reconstruction of the eastern wing of the Alexander Palace, which included the personal apartments of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna.

In addition, he installed the famous L-shaped iron balcony for the Empress, which was accessed via the Maple Drawing Room.

The Empress’s balcony became a favourite setting for taking family photographs, taken by the Empress and her children, all of whom were avid amateur photographers. More than a century later, these iconic images provide us with a rare glimpse into the private world of the Imperial Family.

The photographs presented in this pictorial, have all been selected from the private albums of the Empress and her children, and that of Alexandra’s friend and lady-in-waiting Anna Vyrubova.

Read why the balcony was dismantled between 1947-49, and why the palace-museum have no plans to restore it. In the meantime, we have to content ourselves with the selection of vintage photographs which have survived to this day, and are presented in this pictorial.

*This title is available from AMAZON in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia,
France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Japan

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE PAPERBACK EDITION @ $13.99 USD

English. 120 pages, 107 black & white photos

Among the Empress’s quarters was the Mauve Boudoir, which would become her favourite room. According to legend, the Empress gave Alexnder Meltzer a lilac branch, her favourite flower, so that he could choose the colour scheme for the decoration of the room.

Among the most notable pieces of furniture in this room was a corner chair, which became a popular spot for family photographs, taken by the Empress and her children, all of whom were avid amateur photographers. More than a century later, these iconic images provide us with a rare glimpse into the private world of the Imperial Family.

Like many other rooms in the Alexander Palace, the Mauve Boudoir suffered a sad fate – the decoration and the interior were lost during the Great Patriotic War. The room has since been reconstructed and restored to its original historic look, as has the Empress’s famous chair.

Paul Gilbert celebrates anniversary of cutting ties with “Russian Imperial House”

Posted on 15 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: Maria “Masha” Vadimirovna and her son George “Gosha” Mikhailovich

It was 5 years ago today – 5th February 2021 – that I officially cut all ties with the “Russian Imperial House“. It was on this day that I ceased to support Maria Vladimirovna’s claim as “Head” of the House of Romanov and as the “legitimate claimant” to the Russian throne. In addition, I severed all ties with the Russian Legitimists (Kirillists) and their cause.

My announcement on social media created quite a buzz that day: garnering nearly 650 “LIKES” and more than 200 comments by followers supporting my decision.

On 5th February 2021, I returned by mail the diplomas (‘gramotas’) for the Order of St. Stanislaus 3rd Class (2013), and the Order of St. Anna 3rd Class (2016), and also withdrew my oath of allegiance to Maria, dated and signed 03/14/16 – see below.

The following day, Russell Martin, a prominent American mouthpiece for Maria Vladimirovna, who acts as both translator and International Communications Advisor to the so-called “Chancellery of Her Imperial Highness”, leaped to his computer and wrote a nasty rebuttal as fast as his grubby little fingers could type. Martin made the most outrageous statements and even lies about me!

Maria and George are greatly disliked in both Russia and in the West, and I am not the only one who disputes their claims, however, the Legitimists must have felt very threatened by me for Martin to have responded to my blog and social media announcement in the manner in which he did.

In particular, regarding my “oath of allegiance” to Maria – pictured below – Russell Martin wrote the following: “It appears too that at a certain point he [Paul Gilbert] signed some kind of oath of allegiance to the Grand Duchess as head of the dynasty, because he states that he will no longer abide by this oath.”

Martin’s words “some kind of oath of allegiance” are carefully chosen. They are meant to imply that I am either making it all up or that such a document does not exist. Well, fortunately I save everything, and below is the evidence of this “kind of oath of allegiance” . . .

A person, who is awarded an imperial order receives a diploma (‘gramota’) then has the option to purchase the actual order itself. I (foolishly) paid $350 USD to receive my Order of St. Stanislaus 3rd Class. I never bothered purchasing the other order. As it turns out, these exact same orders, complete with the same red velvet cases are available in souvenir shops up and down Nevsky Prosspekt in St. Petersburg. I have even seen them for sale in Dom Knigi (House of Books). In addition, one can also buy a tiny lapel pin. Someone is making an awful lot of money from the sale of these trinkets!

But Martin does not work alone. Riding in his back pocket is his lapdog Nicholas B.A. Nicholson, a well known social media troll, who very briefly served as Curator of the Russian History Museum in Jordanville, NY., from April 2020 to September 2021.

Together, Martin and Nicholson coo and fawn over “Her Imperial Highness”, and work diligently to spread her agenda to an English speaking audience. Nicholson is very active on social media, spewing forth Legitimist crap to any one who will give him the time of day. Their work is aided by a small group of Legitimist zealots, most of whom are American. And God help you, if you dare to disagree with any of them!

Why is any of this relevant? Because I want people to get an idea of the type of people with whom Maria surrounds herself with. Their actions and words speak volumes of the lengths they will go to promote and protect this ridiculous woman’s claims!

Recall that during the February Revolution of 1917, Maria’s grandfather Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich (1876-1938), marched to the Tauride Palace in Petrograd at the head of the Naval Guards bearing a red armband and swore allegiance to the Russian Provisional Government. In 1926, Kirill proclaimed himself emperor-in-exile, but his claims were contested by a number of grand dukes, grand duchesses, princes and princesses of the Imperial Blood in exile, as well as monarchists in a division that continues to this day.

On a more personal note, it made me sick to my stomach to think that I supported Kirill’s descendants. My decision to severe ties with Masha and Gosha was the right one, I simply followed my heart and my conscience!

Many monarchists (including myself) and those faithful to the memory of Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II, believe that Kirill’s act of treason in 1917, should eliminate the Vladimir branch of the Russian Imperial Family from any further consideration.

Further, I no longer wish to involve myself in the dynastic squabbles which continue to this day between Legitimists and those monarchists who dispute Maria’s claim as Head of the Russian Imperial House and claimant to the Russian throne.

While I am a devout monarchist, I do not recognize any person as the claimant to the now defunct throne of Russia. I believe that the Russian monarchy ceased to exist upon the abdication of the Sovereign Emperor Nicholas II on 15th (O.S. 2nd) March 1917 and the murder of both the Tsar and his family on 17th July 1918. If the monarchy is ever to be restored in 21st century Russia, it is up to the citizens of Russia to make that decision, no one else.

I will continue to devote my time to researching and writing about the life and reign of Nicholas II, and committing myself to clearing his much slandered name.

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Under no pretext can we admit to the throne those whose ancestors belonged to parties involved in the 1917 revolution in one way or another. Nor can we admit those whose ancestors, who betrayed Tsar Nicholas II. Nor can we ignore those whose ancestors who openly supported the Nazis. Thus, without any reservations, the right to the succession to the throne of the Kirillovich branch should be excluded!

Any person who supports this branch of the Romanov dynasty, dishonours the memory of the murdered Holy Tsar Martyr Nicholas II.

Nicholas II Vintage Newsreels No. 1 – 5

Posted on 16 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

This is the first installment of a new feature to my Nicholas II. Emperor. Tsar. Saint. blog, which showcases the vast collection of vintage newsreels which are now available to watch on YouTube and other online media sources. I have taken the liberty of selecting 5 interesting newsreels which depict Emperor Nicholas II and his family attending events in various cities throughout the Russian Empire.

Many of these newsreels include background music, with tunes of the Russian Empire or Orthodox music. Others are narrated in Russian, however, that should not deter the viewer from watching. You can turn on the English (or other language) subtitles by clicking on Google translate and then turn on the closed captioning [CC] button, found at the bottom of the newsreel. ENJOY!

No. 1 – Piety of Emperor Nicholas II

This video presents newsreel footage of the Imperial Family from the Russian State Archive of Film and Photo Documents (RGAKFD). These newsreels captures the moments when the Emperor, together with his Family, attends divine services, venerates the cross and icons, participates in processions of the cross and talks with church leaders.

Music: 1 – “Tsar mighty, Tsar sovereign” (lyrics and music by Shchurovsky; 2 – “Many years, Orthodox Russian Tsar!” (both songs are performed by the choir of the Valaam Monastery).

Duration: 3 minute, 13 seconds with musical background

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No. 2 – Emperor Nicholas II in Smolensk. 31st August 1912

The newsreel opens with the Imperial Train arriving at the railway station in Smolensk, whereby the Emperor walks down the platform to review the honour guard. He is then seen receiving gifts and the traditional bread and salt from local officials and dignitaries.

At 2:39, you will notice a rather plump chap appearing from the right hand side of the screen. This is Prince Vladimir Nikolaevich Orlov (1868-1927), one of Nicholas II’s closest advisors. Between 1906-1915, Orlov headed the Emperor’s Military Cabinet, he also served as the the Emperor’s personal chauffeur. For many years, he was one of Nicholas II’s most trusted aides, however, his negative feelings towards Rasputin, eventually led to his dismissal from the Imperial Court.

Further into the newsreel, we see carriages carrying the Imperial Family arriving at the Cathedral Church of the Assumption. Their visit coincided with events marking the 100th anniversary of the Patriotic War of 1812. Upon leaving the cathedral, they pass by students of the Smolensk Diocesan School. If you watch closely, you will see the dedicated Minister of the Imperial Court, Baron V.B. Fredericks, who constantly shadowed the Emperor.

The newsreel concludes with a view of the Imperial Family, standing on a hill overlooking Smolensk.

Duration: 5 minutes, 54 seconds with musical background

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No. 3 – French President Raymond Poincare’s State Visit to Russia, 1912-1914

In this newsreel we see Emperor Nicholas II with President Raymond Poincare of France at Krasnoye Selo, the summer military capital of the Russian Empire. We see Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and her daughters getting into some of the fine automobiles which the Emperor was so fond of.

This is followed by a parade of grand dukes and generals on horseback. Empress Alexandra Feodorovna is then seen riding in an open carriage with President Raymond Poincare, the Emperor on horseback riding along side.

Members of the Imperial Family join Poincare in a tent, positioned on a slight hill, where they can witness manoeuvres in honour of the French president’s state visit. Towards the end of the footage, the Empress is seen nodding as soldiers file past the tent and its guests.

Duration: 4 minutes, 19 seconds, no audio

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No. 4 – Emperor Nicholas II at Revel in 1908

[1] Arrival of the Imperial train in Revel (modern day Tallinn, Estonia). We see Emperor Nicholas II, along with members of his family and retinue walking along the platform

[2] A launch carries the Emperor and his family to the Imperial Yacht ‘Standart’

[3[ Arrival of a train in Revel carrying the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, Queen Olga of Greece, Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, Prince P.A. Oldenburg, among others

[4] A launch carries the Dowager Empress and members of the Imperial Family to the Imperial Yacht ‘Standart’

[5] The arrival of the British Royal Yacht ‘Victoria and Albert’, carrying King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra at Revel, 27th May 1908

Duration: 8 minutes, 30 seconds with musical background

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No. 5 – Historic visit to Riga in the summer of 1910 by Emperor Nicholas II

At the beginning of the newsreel we see the Imperial Yacht ‘Standart’ sailing into the harbour. It is one thing to admire the ‘Standart’ in photographs, however, it is only when one views it in a moving image, that one can put into perspective the sheer size of this magnificent “floating palace” – 128 m (420 feet) in length and 5557 tons standard in weight. It was the envy of all the royal houses of Europe and Great Britain.

Nicholas II’s visited Riga with his family for three days – from 3 to 5 July 1910. The Imperial Family arrived for the celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the capture of Riga from Sweden by Russian troops, making it part of the Russian Empire.

The highlight of the visit was the grand opening and consecration of the monument to Emperor Peter I on the Alexander Boulevard in Riga, which is also featured in this video.

Alexandre Spiridovitch writes about the tsar’s 1910 visit to Riga in his memoirs Last Years of the Court at Tsarskoe Selo Volume II (1910-1914) – first English language edition published in 2017 [now out of print].

Duration: 5 minutes, 1 second with Russian language audio

Ukraine to remove fresco depicting Nicholas II “as religious propaganda of an aggressor country.”

Posted on 19 Days Ago by Paul Gilbert

PHOTO: fresco depicting the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers
on the wall of the Assumption [aka Dormition] Cathedral

The Assumption [aka Dormition] Cathedral in the Ukrainian city of Volodymyr (Vladimir) in the Volyn region, recently came under the jurisdiction of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church[1]. On 31st January 2026, a fresco depicting Emperor Nicholas II and his family was discovered during an inspection tour of the building.

The fresco is non-political, however, Ukrainian authorities have already demanded the removal of the fresco as part of their anti-Russian campaign and so-called “decommunization” of all cultural heritage sites and geographical names associated with the Romanov dynasty.

According to People’s Deputy of Ukraine Ihor Huz, the fresco depicting the Holt Royal Passion-Bearers will be removed “as religious propaganda of an aggressor country.”

Recall that Nicholas II and his family were canonized as Holy Royal Passion-Bearers by the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church on 15th August 2000. Both Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox Christians venerate icons of the Holy Royal Passion-Beaers. Therefore, the move by Ukrainian authorities shows nothing but blatant disrespect for freedom of religion.

In recent years monuments, busts, icons and even church doors depicting members of the Romanov dynasty have been removed from sites in Ukraine, as part of the country’s mindless and shameful attempts to erase history.

Sadly, Ukraine’s actions mirror] that of the Bolsheviks in 1918, when Lenin ordered the removal of all symbols of Tsarist Russia, including the removal of all Tsarist symbols, such as double-headed eagles, the destruction of monuments, memorial plaques, the renaming of cities, towns, squares, buildings and street names.

NOTES:

[1] Until October 2025 the Assumption [aka Dormition] Cathedral was under the control of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). On 11th October 2025, by a court decision, the building was brought under state ownership. Clerics of the Moscow Patriarchate tried to prevent the entry of government official into the cathedral by barricading the central passage with benches. The (regional) state administration of Volyn Oblast handed the Assumption [aka Dormition] Cathedral to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in January 2026.