Alexander's Palace.

On the same property as Catherine's Palace was Alexander's Palace. While the outside looks fancy, this was a VERY understated palace and one that for us held some "emotional" interest. This was the palace that the last Tsar of Russia and his family lived, before he abdicated the crown, was swept away to Siberia and all were executed. The Tsar, of course, was Nicolas II. Consensus was he didn't really want to be Tsar, was perceived as a weak leader, but was in line after his father died. He was more interested in his family, loved his 5 children, yet took over the crown during one of the most turbulent times in Russian history, the Russian Revolution during the early 1900"s. Rather than living in St Petersburg, he moved his family to this "palace" in 1905, and ruled from it.


The palace was so interesting in that we could tour the rooms where they actually lived from 1905-1917 before they were kidnapped. As mentioned, the rooms were very understated. Each showed actual photos of the room, then featured much of their actual furniture. This picture shows a sitting room and how they had it set up.

Yes, its authentic. Not sure who or where it was killed, but it belonged to the Tsar's family in one of their sitting rooms. Frankly, I was kind of creeped out by it. Fear that I would trip over it's head in the middle of the night. Or it might leap onto my bed. And it needed its teeth brushed.

If you look closely, you will see part of a picture of Tsar Nicolas II's family. It's a famous photo that shows them all, to include Alexi, their son, who was the hemopheliac, and Anastasia, the daughter who rumor had it had actually survived the family execution. (Not true...her bones were found). Anyway, these outfits where the originals from the picture. Very interesting moment to see the picture AND the clothes. Wanted to leave this exhibit quickly, though.