On 23rd October 2026, a large-scale exhibition Nicholas II: Family and Throne, opened at the Hermitage-Kazan Exhibition Centre – a branch of the State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg). opened

The exhibition showcases more than 350 exhibits – from the Collection of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg – arranged in chronological and thematic order in 5 halls of the museum:

• the First Hall is dedicated to the youth of the Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich and the beginning of his reign.
• the Second Hall tells about foreign policy and the reception of the emperor.
• the Third Hall recreates the atmosphere of the library, where internal state affairs were held.
• •the Fourth Hall introduces visitors to the private, family life of the last Tsar.
• the Fifth Hall demonstrates the brilliance of the Imperial Court and also touches on the events of the First World War.

Visitors will have an opportunity to view the personal items of the last Tsar and his family, including the uniforms of Nicholas II and the gowns and dresses of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, toys of the Grand Duchesses and Tsesarevich Alexei, items from the rooms in the Winter Palace and furniture from the imperial yachts. In addition are items of jewellery and decorative art, portraits and photographs, and other personal items.

Click on the link below, to view more than 100 colour photographs of just some of the items on display:

115 Colour Photos of the Nicholas II: Family and Throne exhibition

The exhibition begins with a hall dedicated to the childhood, boyhood and youth of Tsesarevich Nikolai Alexandrovich and his accession to the throne. Portraits of the young heir, vintage photographs from his 1891 visit to the Far East, an icon presented to him after an assassination attempt in Japan and a painting depicting his Holy Coronation in Moscow in May 1896.

Among the exhibits is a carved wooden tray dish from Kazan depicting views of the city. It was presented to the Emperor from Kazan following his accession to the throne in 1894.

The events of the internal and external political life of Russia, are told through such exhibits as the helmet of a cuirassier and the uniform of a policeman, souvenirs of the Russian-French alliance and gifts from the Chinese Court, posters from the First World War and items from the infirmary opened in the Winter Palace at the outbreak of the First World War.

Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to see pieces of original furniture from the Reception Room of Nicholas II in the Winter Palace, where the Tsar met with ambassadors, as well as the reconstruction of the Emperor’s Library, where ministers reported to their sovereign and resolved issues of domestic policy.

The splendour of the Russian Court is reflected in the evening dresses of the Empress from the fashionable ateliers of Lamanova and Brizak, jewelry of the Fabergé company, the ceremonial uniform of court servants, silver tray dishes, outfits from the famous 1903 ball held in the Winter Palace and gifts in honour of the 300th anniversary of the House of Romanov in 1913. In addition, a ceremonial table with a porcelain wedding service from the Small Dining Room in the Winter Palace is on display.

The exhibition Nicholas II: Family and Throne exhibition runs until 5th September 2027, at the Hermitage-Kazan Exhibition Centre.

An illustrated Russian-language catalogue has been prepared for the exhibition. Published by Slavia Publishing House (St. Petersburg). The price of the catalogue is 3,500 rubles ($43 USD). Unfortunately, due to the current economic sanctions imposed by the West, it will not be possible to order a copy from Russia.

Paul Gilbert. 24 October 2026