The former Imperial palaces of the Russian Imperial Family take on a whole new beauty in the winter months when they are covered and surrounded with a fresh blanket of snow. The favourite residence of Nicholas II and his family, the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo in particular. The elegant Neo-Classical edifice, painted a soft pastel yellow, blend perfectly with the surrounding winter landscape. A glorious sense of peace and tranquility are felt while walking around the palace and park at this time of year.

I have assembled the following collection of photos of the Alexander Palace and Park, all of which evoke a breathtaking Russian winter wonderland. After viewing these images, I am sure that you will agree that it is quite understandable why the Imperial Family so loved this place – PG

PHOTO: The main gate leading into the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo. The gate was installed in 1898, based on the design of the Russian architect (of Italian origin) Silvio Amvrosievich Danini (1867-1942). The view from the street has remained virtually unchanged since the early 20th century.

Following his abdication on 15 March (O.S. 2 March) 1917,”Colonel Romanov” passed through these gates to be reunited with his family. Together, they lived here under house arrest, until their exile to Tobolsk on 1st August of the same year.

PHOTO:  A lovely panoramic view which shows the expanse of the Alexander Palace from the opposite side of the pond.

The Alexander Palace was constructed in the town of Tsarskoye Selo, 30 miles south of St. Petersburg. It was commissioned by Empress Catherine II, who reigned 1762–1796, for her favourite grandson, Grand Duke Alexander Pavlovich, the future Emperor Alexander, who reigned 1801–1825), on the occasion of his marriage to Grand Duchess Elizaveta Alexeievna (1779-1826), born Princess Luise Marie Augusta of Baden in 1793.

The edifice was constructed between 1792 and 1796, by the foremost and most prolific practitioner of Neoclassical architecture in Imperial Russia, Giacomo Quarenghi (1744-1817). It was agreed that the architect had excelled himself in creating a masterpiece. In 1821, a quarter of a century later, the architect’s son wrote:

PHOTO: view of the Eastern Wing (left), where the Private Apartments of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna are located, and the Western Wing (right), which is surrounded by a fence during restoration. This wing of the palace is scheduled to open in 2025. Photo © Inna Stikhareva.

“An elegant building which looks over the beautiful new garden in Tsarskoye Selo, was designed and built by my father at the request of Catherine II, who shaped it with greatest simplicity, combining both functionality with beauty. Its dignified façade, harmonic proportions, and moderate ornamentation are also manifested in its interiors without compromising comfort in striving for magnificence and elegance.”

Emperor Nicholas II and his wife Empress Alexandra Feodorovna always loved this palace. After the events of Bloody Sunday in 1905, the August Coupled decided to make it their permanent residence.

During the reign of Nicholas II, the palace underwent many modern upgrades: it was wired for electricity and equipped with a telephone system. In 1899, a hydraulic lift was installed connecting the Empress’ suite with the children’s rooms on the second floor. With the advent of motion pictures in the early 20th century, a screening booth was built in the Semicircular Hall where the family gathered to watch films.

PHOTO: The eastern wing (left) is where the former private apartments of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna are located. The wing was closed in autumn 2015 for an extensive restoration.

Fifteen interiors situated in the eastern wing of the palace, are now scheduled to open to visitors in 2021. Among the recreated interiors are the New Study of Nicholas II, Moorish Bathroom of Nicholas II, Working Study of Nicholas II, Reception Room of Nicholas II, Pallisander (Rosewood) Living Room, Mauve (Lilac) Boudoir, Alexandra’s Corner Reception Room, the Imperial Bedroom, among others. This wing of the palace will become known as the ‘Museum of the Russian Imperial Family’.

PHOTO:  Situated facing the Alexander Park are the windows of the Semi-Circular Hall. It is through these doors on 1st August 1917, that the Imperial Family and their retinue departed the Alexander Palace for the last time. They were transported to the Alexandrovsky Station, where an awaiting train took them into exile to Tobolsk in Siberia. It was in Tobolsk that the Imperial Family were held under house arrest in the former Governor’s Mansion – renamed the “House of Freedom” until April 1918, when they were transferred to Ekaterinburg and subsequently murdered by the Bolsheviks on 17th July 1918.

PHOTO: The warm glow from a winter sun simply adds to the beauty of the Alexander Palace surrounded by snow. During the winter months, Nicholas II took time to enjoy outdoor activities with his family. Together, they build snow fortresses, went skating on the ice covered ponds, and partook of sleigh rides through the park, a pastime in which the Empress also participated. In his zest for physical activity, the Tsar was often seen shoveling snow from the paths, chopped ice for the cellar, cut dry branches or old trees, storing firewood for the long, dark and cold winter months. 

PHOTO: This aerial view of the Alexander Palace, taken by a drone, shows the size of the building. The photo was taken last year, during the ongoing restoration of the palace. The surrounding park offers pathways leading to the parks numerous pavilions, as well as ponds and canals, which were often used during the summer months by Nicholas II and his children for boating.

The Alexander Palace is within walking distance of the nearby Catherine Palace, which can be seen in the upper left hand corner of the photo above.

PHOTO: The Kitchen Building of the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo. Meals were prepared in this building, and taken to the palace through an underground tunnel.

When the restoration of the palace is completed in 2024, the former Kitchen Building will serve as the main entrance to the multi-museum Alexander Palace complex.

PHOTO: the Children’s Island, which features a tiny house built for the children of Emperor Nicholas I, and later enjoyed by the children of three successive monarchs: Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II. To the left of the house is a small cemetery, where the Tsar buried his favourite dogs. The cemetery has survived to this day.

The island was reached by a pull-ferry, whereby sailors would pull ropes sending the ferry over to the island and back from the park’s shore.

According to the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum, there are plans to eventually restore the Children’s Island and Pavilion, once funding has been secured.

PHOTO: the author of this article Paul Gilbert standing on the frozen pond in front of the Children’s Island, near the Alexander Palace, was taken back in the 1990s during one of my visits to St. Petersburg.

On two separate winter visits to Tsarskoye Selo, I managed to walk across the frozen pond, walked around the Children’s House and the pet cemetery – the latter of which has survived intact. The former Children’s House is in a very sad state of neglect and disrepair, having been used and vandalized by local drug addicts in the 1990s. The doors and windows are now all boarded up.

PHOTO: view of the pet cemetery on the Children’s Island, consisting of four graves is situated on the western side of the island.

In the late 19th century, the Imperial family built a cemetery on the western side of the island, where they buried their beloved canine companions. The gravestones have survived to this day.

The names and dates of each of the family dogs are still clearly visible:

Шилка  Shilka
1894-1910
Иманъ  Iman
December 6, 1895 – October 2, 1902
Воронъ  Voron
December 1889 – September 1895
Эра  Era
1894 – 1906

PHOTO: Just a short walk from the Alexander Palace is the Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral, with its beautiful Russian national-style edifice and magnificent interiors, including the Cave Church.

On 2 September (O.S. 20 August) 1909, Emperor Nicholas II laid the first foundation stone for the Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral, which later served as the household church of the Imperial Family.

After the 1917 Revolution, the cathedral was closed, it was badly damaged during the Great Patriotic War (1941-44). In 1991 the cathedral was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, restoration of the Cathedral lasted nearly 20 years.. 

On 17th July 1993, hundreds of Orthodox Christians and monarchists gathered for the official opening and consecration of the first monument to Emperor Nicholas II (seen on the left in the photo) to be established in post-Soviet Russia.

The monument was consecrated on the day marking the 75th anniversary of the murder of Nicholas II, on the grounds of the Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral. The monument is the work of St. Petersburg sculptor Victor Vladimirovich Zaiko (born 1944).

PHOTO: A walk through the snow covered Alexander Park at Tsarskoye Selo offers many surprises for visitors. Over the course of the past decade, numerous pavilions have been beautifully restored, including the Sovereign’s Martial Chamber, the Arsenal, the Chapelle, and the White Tower.

In addition, some people may want to visit the gravesite of Grigorii Rasputin (1869-1916). His body was buried on 2 January (O.S. 21 December) 1916, at a small church (has not survived) that Anna Vyrubova (1884-1964) had been building in the Alexander Park. His body was exhumed and burned by a detachment of soldiers shortly after the Tsar abdicated the throne in March 1917.

There are future plans to restore the Children’s Pavilion and Island, the Chinese Theater, the Pension Stable, the Farm as well as the reclamation of the Alexander Park. There are plans to charge for entry to the park, the funds of which will help restore these historic buildings and maintain the grounds, however, this additional cost has yet to be implemented.

PHOTO: western (foreground) and eastern (background) wings of the Alexander Palace

Click HERE to view Summer Views of the Alexander Palace and Park, published on 29th July 2021

© Paul Gilbert. 1 February 2024

PHOTO: the Alexander Palace set against the backdrop of autumn colours

The first day of autumn officially arrives in Russia on 1st September. It seems only fitting that we celebrate one of the loveliest seasons of the year with these beautiful photos of the Alexander Palace and Park at Tsarskoye Selo.

Autumn is my favourite time of year to visit Russia. During a visit to St. Petersburg in October 2007, I decided to spend an entire week in Pushkin [Tsarskoye Selo].

Staying in Tsarskoye Selo was a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of St. Petersburg. I stayed at the Hotel Natali which is situated in the city’s historical district, with nice rooms, and a hearty breakfast included. The main reason I chose this hotel was that the Alexander Palace is literally at the top of the street!

The hotel’s location was ideal for visiting the Alexander and Catherine Palaces, but also the Alexander Park daily on foot at my own leisure. One day, I actually walked to Pavlovsk Palace, a distance of 7.3 km. [4.5 miles]!

The Alexander Park offers pathways leading to the parks numerous pavilions, as well as ponds and canals, which were often used during the summer months by Nicholas II and his children for boating.

PHOTO: autumn view of the Alexander Palace from the pond

The paths throughout the Alexander Park are now blanketed in beautiful red, yellow, gold
leaves that crunch under your footsteps. Cool autumn breeze gently flow through the trees spiriting loose leaves from their branches, allowing each one to dance in the air before falling gently to the ground, adding yet another element to the sprawling carpet of autumn colours. The setting is truly magical.

In addition, I had a wonderful opportunity to explore the town itself. While much of Pushkin was destroyed by the Nazis during the Great Patriotic War (1941-45), it still retains some beautiful architectural gems from the Tsarist period, including a number of palaces and churches – the Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral is a must!

Numerous restaurants and cafes are within walking distance of the hotel, as well as a burgeoning souvenir market, where you can buy beautiful hand painted lacquer boxes, lace, and other items made by locals.

For any one planning a future visit to St. Petersburg, I highly recommend Tsarskoye Selo as an alternative place to stay. My autumn 2007 visit remains one of my most memorable visits to Russia, and it was the the season itself which enhanced the beauty of the Alexander Palace and the surrounding park.

PHOTO: the Alexander Palace set against the backdrop of autumn colours

NOTE: the first 15 interiors of the private apartments of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, situated in the eastern wing of the Alexander Palace, opened to the public on 14th August 2021. During the first few weeks of opening, nearly 17,000 people visited the palace.

Click HERE to read my article Alexander Palace reopens for first time since 2015 + 30 colour photos and 2 videos, published on 13th August, 2021; and HERE to read my article First stage of Alexander Palace restoration cost $30 million published on 23rd August 2021 – PG

Over the course of the past decade, numerous pavilions have been beautifully restored, including the Sovereign’s Martial Chamber, the Arsenal, the Chapelle, and the White Tower. The next restoration project in the Alexander Park will that of the Chinese Theatre.

PHOTO: the Alexander Palace as it looked before the 2015-2021 restoration

PHOTO: view of the western wing of the Alexander Palace

PHOTO: one of the many paths in the Alexander Park carpeted with autumn leaves

PHOTO: memorial to the Russian Imperial Family, erected in the Alexander Park in 2007

PHOTO: the Children’s Island and House situated in the park near the Alexander Palace

PHOTO: the Children’s Island and House situated in the park near the Alexander Palace

PHOTO: the Children’s Island and House situated in the park near the Alexander Palace

PHOTO: the Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral is a short walk through the Alexander Park

PHOTO: Russia’s first monument to Nicholas II was established in 1993, on the grounds of the Feodorovsky Sovereign Cathedral

Click HERE to read my article Winter Views of the Alexander Palace and Park + 11 colour photos, published on 1st February 2021; Click HERE to read my article Summer Views of the Alexander Palace and Park + 10 colour photos, published on 29th July 2021

© Paul Gilbert. 4 October 2023

PHOTO © Tsarskoye Selo State Museum

The Tsarskoye Selo State Museum has launched a very innovative new project: “Blooming Palace”, to be held in the Alexander Palace over the next 12 months. Once a month, flower arrangements created by modern designers and florists will be displayed in different interiors of the Alexander Palace, the favourite Imperial residence of Nicholas II and his family.

Arrangements will include hydrangea, chrysanthemum, forsythia, camellia, lilacs and other flowers and plants. The flower marathon will last a year, ending in August 2024. The museum is implementing this project in partnership with representatives of various creative industries in St. Petersburg.

PHOTO © Tsarskoye Selo State Museum

“We set ourselves the most important task – to create an atmosphere of family warmth in the private rooms of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, said Olga Taratynova, director of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum.

“At the beginning of the last century, there were fresh flowers all year round, the floral theme was also present in the upholstery of the walls, furniture, stucco reliefs on the walls and ceilings. We supplemented the recreated interiors with freshly cut flowers and decorative plants. In addition, more than a hundred years later, the Empress’s tradition of decorating her rooms with lilacs was revived – their fragrant aroma fills the interiors from late January to March, “she added.

PHOTO © Tsarskoye Selo State Museum

The first compositions were created in September, for the Maple and Rosewood Drawing Rooms, located in Alexandra Feodorovna’s rooms. The main flower was hydrangea – in total, florists used more than 80 luxurious flowers of white, pink, blue and green blooms. The idea was initiated by a colour autochrome of the interior, taken in 1917 by Andrei Zeest. The photographer took this photo with hydrangea in a vase in the Rosewood Drawing Room just a few hours after the Imperial Family were sent into exile to Tobolsk on 1st August 1917. In addition to hydrangea, designers used autumn flowers and plants, including live branches with paradise apples, rose hips and various types of grain plants.

PHOTO © Tsarskoye Selo State Museum

In total, the “Blooming Palace” project involves the creation of 12 compositions under the guidance of designer, florist, designer Maxim Languev. Each of them will be in one way or another be connected with the history of the Alexander Palace as an Imperial residence, and the personal tastes of the family of the last Russian emperor. Sources of inspiration includes – historical facts (i.e., the eastern journey of the heir, engagement, wedding, the stay of the Imperial Family in Livadia); floral motifs in the decoration of interiors (symbolism of lilies in the decoration of the palace); items of the museum collection (vases in the technique of cloisonné enamel, Venetian glass, incense burners); documentary evidence – photographs, autochromes, paintings.

PHOTO © Tsarskoye Selo State Museum

The “Blooming Palace” project is a joint prohect with the Higher School of Economics, the museum will hold a creative competition among students to create souvenirs based on the Blooming Palace. Interest in the project and readiness to support it was expressed by the organizers of the federal competition “Young Design”.

The project “Blooming Palace” is the winner of the “Creative Museum” competition of the Vladimir Potanin Charitable Foundation. The information partner of the project is the magazine “Interior + Design”.

© Paul Gilbert. 28 September 2023

PHOTO: view of the eastern wing of the Alexander Palace

On this day – 13th August 2021 – the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo reopened, after an extensive restoration which began in the autumn of 2015. The Russian media were invited to tour the recreated apartments of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress |Alexandra Feodorovna, located in the eastern wing of the Alexander Palace. The palace welcomed its first visitors the following day on 14th August.

During the past 2 years, the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum restored one additional interior and recreated a number of items lost from the Alexander Palace during the Second World War . . .

In September 2022 – a luxurious 100 square meter French-made Savonnerie carpet was recreated for Empress Alexandra’s Corner Reception Room.

In February 2023 – the Marble [Mountain] Hall – which is part of the ceremonial enfilade – officially opened it’s doors to visitors for the first time in 80 years. The restored interior also includes the recreated wooden slide, which was enjoyed by members of the Russian Imperial Family.

In May 2023 – a large stand for palm tree and other large plants was recreated for the Maple Drawing Room. In addition, an L-shaped desk and ottoman were recreated for the Working Study of Nicholas II.

In June 2023 – an ottoman was recreated for the Working Study of Emperor Nicholas II. The large Persian Farahan carpet has been recreated by modern Iranian craftsmen using traditional technologies.

The price tag for the first stage of the Alexander Palace restoration was $30 million USD. The project is the result of the colossal work of hundreds of people, including designers, architects, restorers, museum workers and dozens of organizations.

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.

© Paul Gilbert. 13 August 2023

***

Dear Reader: I have written more than 100 articles and news updates on the history and restoration of the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo. If you have enjoyed all my updates, then please help supvport my research by making a donation in US dollars – donations can be made by PayPal or credit card. Click HERE to make a donation. Thank you for your consideration – PG

PHOTO: view of the ottoman recreated for the Working Study of Emperor Nicholas II in the Alexander Palace. Photo © Tsarskoye Selo State Museum Reserve

The Tsarskoye Selo State Museum continue to recreate items lost from the Alexander Palace during the Second World War . . . the latest addition is the beautiful ottoman, recreated for the Working Study of Emperor Nicholas II.

The large Persian Farahan carpet has been recreated by modern Iranian craftsmen using traditional technologies. The soft velvet upholstery features a variegated pattern of stylized plants on a dark blue background in the middle, and a border along the edge, with variegated figured medallions and stylized flowers on a light green background; edged along the plinth with a variegated cord. This description has been preserved in the museum’s inventory records.

PHOTO: detail of the ottoman recreated for the Working Study of Emperor Nicholas II in the Alexander Palace. Photo © Tsarskoye Selo State Museum Reserve

The recreation of the ottoman was made possible by archival photographs dating back to the 1930s, when the Alexander Palace was a museum. In the photographs, however, the details of the pattern of the central part of the carpet are not clearly visible, which made it difficult to recreate. Anna Tarkhanova, a senior researcher at the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum, conducted a study, the result of which it became obvious that a Farahan carpet made in the 1880s was used to upholster the ottoman of Nicholas II in 1896. Thus, a historical analogue for making a copy was of a carpet from the collection of Muranovo, the country estate of the famous Russian poet and diplomat Fyodor Ivanovich Tyutchev (1803-1873).

According to this museum model, a copy for the Alexander Palace was made in accordance with the traditional Persian technology of hand weaving. The order of the Farahan carpet made in Iran, was organized by Janusz Szymaniak, General Director of the Renaissance Restoration Workshops for the Reconstruction of Ancient Monuments, a long-time partner of the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum.

Persian carpets, which were usually presented as diplomatic gifts, traditionally decorated the interiors of the Alexander Palace. In addition, Russian Oriental style carpets based on Caucasian and Turkmen designs, also decorated the palace.

PHOTO: view of the Working Study of Emperor Nicholas II in the Alexander Palace as it looks today – the recreated ottoman can be seen on the left

The Farahan district of Persia, which has a long history of carpet weaving, is located in the central part of Iran, about 580 km south of Tehran. Active production of carpets was established in the region of Saruk, famous for its craftsmen. The export of Farahan carpets to Europe began in the 19th century. Similar Persian carpets are now represented in the largest Russian and foreign museum collections.

Until now, Farahan carpets are made by hand, by knotted weaving (160,000 knots per square meter) from woolen threads dyed with natural paints of mineral origin. This allows you to achieve identity when copying old samples.

When creating the carpet for the Alexander Palace, Iranian craftsmen used sheep wool with the addition of camel, from natural dyes – oak bark, fruit trees, lemon leaf, dates.

Among connoisseurs, such carpets are highly valued for their rich dark blue background and green shades of pattern elements resembling green copper. This colour is is represented in the carpet which has been recreated for the ottoman in the Working Study of Emperor Nicholas II.

PHOTO: view of the original ottoman in the Working Study of Emperor Nicholas II in the Alexander Palace, c. 1930s

Nicholas II often used the ottoman to rest when his work dragged on until nightfall or when he returned to Tsarskoye Selo from St. Petersburg late and preferred not to disturb his family.

Click HERE to read my article The History and Restoration of the Working Study of Nicholas II in the Alexander Palace, published on 2nd December 2020

© Paul Gilbert. 28 June 2023

Photo © Tsarskoye Selo Restoration Workshop

It has been almost two years since the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo opened its doors to visitors after an extensive restoration and reconstruction which began in the autumn of 2015. This extensive and costly project brought new life to the former private apartments of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, situated in the eastern wing of the palace.

Since that time, additional interiors – the Marble (Mountain) Hall – have opened while recreated furniture and other decorations continue to be added to the interiors.

In late March, new additions were added to the Maple Drawing Room and the Working Study of Nicholas II:

PHOTO: a large stand for palm tree and other large plants is the latest addition to the Maple Drawing Room

Photo © Tsarskoye Selo Restoration Workshop

In the Maple Drawing Room, one of several large stands or tubs has been recreated. Empress Alexandra Feodorovna would have them filled year-round with palm trees and other large plants – as seen in the photo below taken shortly after the Imperial Family were sent into exile in August 1914. 

PHOTO: colour autochrome of the Maple Drawing Room. 1917

PHOTO: the Tsar’s desk and ottoman have been recreated for the Working Study of Nicholas II

Photo © Tsarskoye Selo Restoration Workshop

In the Working Study of Nicholas II, an L-shaped desk and ottoman have been recreated.

The Working Study of Emperor Nicholas II was decorated in 1896-1897 in the English Style by Roman Meltzer (1860-1943) and furniture master Karl Grinberg. It was in this room that the Emperor read papers, including numerous correspondence, received foreign ministers and dignitaries and listened to reports.

PHOTO: Emperor Nicholas II with his brother-in-law Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse, in the Tsar’s Working Study. 1901

© Paul Gilbert. 5 May 2023