Alexander Palace is a former imperial retreat that’s most famous as the home of Russia’s final emperor, Czar Nicholas II. In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution in 1917, the royal family were kept here under house arrest before their exile to Siberia and eventual deaths at the hands of revolutionaries. Admire the elegant architecture of the palace and learn more about the history of the Russian monarchy in its revealing museum.
Originally constructed in the late 18th century, the neoclassical palace was built at the behest of Catherine the Great for her grandson Alexander I. It was designed by prolific Italian-born architect Giacomo Quarenghi, whose Palladian-influenced designs can still be seen dotted around St. Petersburg in buildings such as the Hermitage Theatre and the Raphael Loggias in the Winter Palace. Note the symmetrical nature of the building’s design and the rows of white Corinthian columns at the front, both of which are common characteristics of Palladian design.
Go inside and discover more about the history of the building and the people who inhabited it. There are several rooms open to the public, where you can see ornate furniture and décor recalling the imperial heyday. Browse the exhibits to see various pictures, dolls and other items that once belonged to the fallen royals. Don’t miss the display of court carriages in the Duty Stables just outside the main entrance. Here, there are numerous richly decorated and opulently gilded vehicles.
Save time for a stroll in the surrounding Alexander Park, where winding pathways lead through woodland and past ponds and waterways. Be sure to see the Chinese village, which is home to numerous Chinese-style cottages dotted around an octagonal pagoda observatory.
Take a train from St. Petersburg to get to Alexander Park, which is located 15.5 miles (25 kilometres) from St. Petersburg, not far from Catherine Palace. Note that Alexander Palace has been closed for restoration since September 2015. Check ahead before your visit to see if it has reopened.