PHOTO: The eastern wing of the Alexander Palace, Tsarskoye Selo

After an extensive restoration project which began in the autumn of 2015, the private apartments of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna opened today in the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.

The Russian media were invited for a press tour of thirteen reconstructed interiors located in the eastern wing of the palace. The Alexander Palace will welcome its first visitors tomorrow – 14th August.

Visitors will now have an opportunity to see 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.

The Western wing is scheduled for completion no earlier than 2024. After the completion of the work, the Alexander Palace will become a multifunctional museum complex, which will include exhibition halls, halls for temporary exhibitions, halls for research work and conferences, as well as a library and a children’s center. The basement floor will house a ticket booth, a museum shop, a café, a cloakroom, a tour desk, as well as technical and ancillary facilities.

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

PHOTO: Director of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Reserve Olga Taratynova, holds a press conference in the Maple Drawing Room

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While reviewing the photos of the recreated interiors of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna, one cannot help but notice that some interiors are decorated more than others. It is important to remember that thousands of items from the Alexander Palace were destroyed or stolen in the decades that followed the 1917 Revolution. Thousands more were moved to other locations, where they remain to this day. This article examines the fate of the Alexander Palace collection, researched from Russian archival sources.

Click HERE to read my article The fate of the contents of the Alexander Palace in the 20th century, published on 17th January 2021

NOTE: the photos below are courtesy of various Russian media sources and the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum Reserve

PHOTO: Working Study of Nicholas II

PHOTO: Working Study of Nicholas II

PHOTO: Reception Room of Nicholas II

PHOTO: New Study of Nicholas II

PHOTO: New Study of Nicholas II

PHOTO: New Study of Nicholas II

PHOTO: New Study of Nicholas II

PHOTO: Moorish Bathroom of Nicholas II

PHOTO: Moorish Bathroom of Nicholas II

PHOTO: elaborate carved detail of the door leading into the Large Library

PHOTO: the Large Library

PHOTO: the Large Library

PHOTO: the Large Library

PHOTO: Empress Alexandra’s Corner Reception Room

PHOTO: Empress Alexandra’s Corner Reception Room

PHOTO: Maple Drawing Room

PHOTO: Maple Drawing Room

PHOTO: Maple Drawing Room

PHOTO: Pallisander (Rosewood) Living Room

PHOTO: Pallisander (Rosewood) Living Room

PHOTO: Pallisander (Rosewood) Living Room

PHOTO: Mauve (Lilac) Boudoir

PHOTO: Mauve (Lilac) Boudoir

PHOTO: The Imperial Bedroom

PHOTO: The Imperial Bedroom

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RESTORATION OF THE CENTRAL and WESTERN WING

PHOTOS: the central and western wing of the Alexander Palace remain closed due to the next stage of restoration. The western wing is expected to open to visitors no earlier than 2024

The Western wing is scheduled for completion sometime in 2025. After the completion of the work, the Alexander Palace will become a multifunctional museum complex, which will include exhibition halls, halls for temporary exhibitions, halls for research work and conferences, as well as a library and a children’s center. The basement floor will house a ticket booth, a museum shop, a café, a cloakroom, a tour desk, as well as technical and ancillary facilities.

© Paul Gilbert. 13 August 2021