PHOTO: poster announcing the Holy Coronation of Nicholas II, 1896

An interesting historical document – a poster announcing the Holy Coronation of Nicholas II – is currently on display in the Holy Places for Russian Culture exhibition at the Izborsk State Historical Architectural Museum in the Pskov region.

The poster was printed by the thousands and posted in cities, towns and villages in all provinces throughout the Russian Empire. The poster on display in the exhibition was discovered in the 1960s, and donated to the museum’s collection.

Emperor Nicholas II and his wife Empress Alexandra Feodorovna were solemnly crowned on 27th (O.S. 14th) May 1896, in the Assumption Cathedral [aka the Cathedral of the Dormition or Uspensky Sobor] of the Moscow Kremlin.

The coronation was preceded by a number of events. On 14th (O.S. 1st) January 1896, a manifesto “On the Forthcoming Holy Coronation of Their Imperial Majesties” was issued, according to which the ceremony was to take place in Moscow in May of the same year.

PHOTO: detial of the poster announcing the Holy Coronation of Nicholas II, 1896

The dates 7th May to 27th May 1896, were declared the coronation period. Orders for preparations for the celebrations were entrusted to the Minister of the Imperial Court, Count Illarion Ivanovich Vorontsov-Dashkov (1837-1916). A special coronation detachment consisting of 82 battalions, 36 squadrons, and 28 batteries was formed under the command of Nicholas II’s uncle Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (1847-1909).

A special telegraph station with 150 lines was set up in the Kremlin, linking all the foreign embassies.

The coronation itself, as noted by contemporaries who attended the event, surpassed all previous coronations in terms of magnificence. On the day of the coronation in St. Petersburg, Divine Liturgies and thanksgiving molebens were served in every church.

PHOTO: silver commemorative medal
“In Memory of the Coronation of Emperor Nicholas II”

A commemorative medal “In Memory of the Coronation of Emperor Nicholas II” was minted. It was awarded to all civil servants, military personnel and individuals who took active part in the preparation of the ceremonies of the coronation. At a later date, the award was also bestowed upon women who had actively assisted in the preparation of the ceremony.

FURTHER READING

COLOUR photos of the Coronation of Nicholas II + PHOTOS

Filming the Coronation of Emperor Nicholas II in 1896 + PHOTOS and VIDEO

1896 Coronation uniform of Emperor Nicholas II + PHOTOS

Russia’s only church built in honour of Nicholas II’s Coronation + PHOTOS

The myth of Nicholas II’s indifference to the Khodynka tragedy + PHOTOS

© Paul Gilbert. 5 April 2024