-The Private Apartments of Alexander II and Maria Alexandrovna-
The rooms occupied by Alexander II and his wife Maria Alexandrova were located along the western wing and southwestern quadrangle of the palace. Alexander II had moved into these rooms as Tsarevitch and when he ascended the throne in 1855 he continued to occupy these rooms. They are now occupied by Ivan VII the son of Alexei the Beloved. Tsar Alexei was the sole surviving heir following the brutal execution of his father Nicholas II in 1918.
Room 174- The Billiard Room of Alexander II
This room was reserved for Alexander II and his adjutants. They could spend time in here having cigars and brandy while playing some games of billiards. The door that is blocked gave access to the Saltykov Staircase.
Room 173- The Anteroom of Alexander II Apartments
This room served as a waiting room for Alexander where officials could queue before entering the following rooms where Alexander met with his ministers. The door on the right led to a smaller vestibule that led out into the Dark Corridor, the main artery for the western wing of the Winter Palace.
Room 172- The Council Room of Emperor Alexander I
Named after Tsar Alexander I, this room was where the Tsars would meet with their cabinet of ministers to discuss the state of the empire. The life-sized portrait of Alexander I was destroyed during the February Revolution in 1917. It has been replaced with a life-sized portrait of Tsar Alexander III, the grandfather of current Tsar Ivan VII.
Room 171- The Study of Emperor Alexander II
Centered in the middle of the western wing is the Study where the Tsars spent most of their days. Dispatches were deposited into a box on the Tsar's desk daily and the work of maintaining the empire never ceased. This room was also where Alexander II died following his assassination attempt along the canal in St. Petersburg.
Room 170- The Valet Room of Emperor Alexander II
This room was used to store all of the Imperial uniforms for the Tsar. The ceiling was lowered to give a more intimate space as dressing the sovereign was an intimate act for a valet. Dolls under glass bell jars and portraits of soldiers in uniform helped these valets to ensure that the Tsar was dressed correctly for each uniform. The door in the center led to a smaller vestibule that led out into the Dark Corridor.
Room 169- The Small Library of Emperor Alexander II
This was 1 of 3 libraries that Alexander had within the palace. The other two, The Military Library, and The Large Library were located across the Dark Corridor in rooms 162 and 163 respectively. This one served as his personal library where the emperor could relax.
The Rooms of Empress Maria Alexandrovna
Room 168- The Dressing Room of Empress Maria Alexandrovna
This was the private dressing room of Empress Maria with a door, that cannot be seen, to the left of the fireplace that led to the Small Feild Marshal’s Hall. The door on the right of the picture led into the bathroom of the Empress.
Room 945- The Bathroom of Empress Maria Alexandrovna
A simply spectacular look at an intimate space reserved for ladies-in-waiting and chambermaids. The tub was carved from a single block of marble. A fireplace and settee made this area incredibly comfortable.
Room 307- The Bedchamber of Empress Maria Alexandrovna
The bedchamber of the Empress was uniquely positions near the quadrangle which allowed for an extra set of windows allowing for more light to enter the room. The walls were covered in blue damask jacquard. Gold trimmed the vaulted ceilings. The bed was positioned near the wall and was covered by gold rails and curtains. We can see one of the chambermaids crossing the room taking freshly cut flowers in a vase to the next room. Let's follow her.
Room 306- The Boudoir of Empress Maria Alexandrovna
This room went through a change in the 1860s following the failing health of her majesty Empress Maria. The blue boudoir was transformed into the red boudoir in an extravagant rococo style. red silk velour framed by elegant boiserie in the French style. The Chambermaid has informed me that the Empress would be arriving soon which is why she has exchanged the flowers for fresh ones in this room. We must hurry with our tour.
Room 305- The Study of Empress Maria Alexandrovna
This room also went through at least 2 renovations during Empress Maria’s occupancy. The first iteration was the Raspberry study when the empress was married to the heir apparent and had not yet ascended the throne. The second iteration was the renovated study. During the last years of her life the empress would complain of the emperor’s mistress and his illegitimate children who had rooms directly above this study.
Room 304- The Gold Drawing Room
This was the Empresses formal reception room that connected with the White Hall. The entire room was covered in gold leaf paneling. A set of Doors along the right wall led to the Green Dining Room where the empress and her family had private dinners. The alcoves of the windows had chairs and tables where guests could look down onto the private gardens of the Winter Palace.
Room 289- The White Hall
The White Hall of the Winter Palace was designed by the architect Alexander Briullov to commemorate the marriage of the Tsarevich to Maria of Hesse in 1841.The effect of the monochrome hall is also based on the combination of the differently shaped surfaces of the polished marble and the whitewashed stucco decorations. The relief ornamentation, enclosed in geometric frames, also covers the lunettes and the vaults of the room. We can see the Empress and her retinue as they go into the Gold Drawing Room.
