When the House of Romanov was still ruling over Russia, the Winter Palace served as their opulent oasis. The wealth of the family was obvious through the indulgent interiors and sheer size of their residence, and the following photos offer a glimpse into the grandeur of their imperial lifestyle. Of course, this was before the fall of the Winter Palace during the October Revolution in 1917.
Winter Palace
Prior to the fall of the Romanov family, the Winter Palace served as their official residence. Located in St. Petersburg, between the Palace Embankment and the Palace Square, the structure spans over 215 meters and rises three stories.
The building is so large that it features 1,500 rooms and almost 2,000 windows, and it’s decorated with the same grandiosity that is displayed on its exterior.
Bedroom of Crown Prince Nikolai Aleksandrovich
Before he became Tsar Nicolas II, Crown Prince Nikolai Aleksandrovich stayed in this room, which isn’t quite as grand as many of the others you’ll see. However, it’s filled with items of interest, including fine pieces of art and an assortment of swords.
Bedroom of Grand Princess Maria Alexandrovna
This room belonged to Tsar Nicholas II’s paternal aunt, Maria Alexandrovna. Its ceiling bears intricate moldings, and light colors of baby pink and blue complement one another. Plush fabrics are found all over the space, providing a welcoming feel.
Bedroom of Grand Princess Maria Nikolayevna
This room belonged to one of Tsar Nicholas II’s daughters, Maria Nikolayevna. It features a domed ceiling and brightly patterned walls that are accented with heavy, lush drapes – perfect for a young girl!
Bedchamber of Empress Maria Alexandrovna
Empress Maria Alexandrovna’s room was far more luxurious than her daughter’s, with arches dropping from the ceiling around the bed. Additionally, purple is the primary color, accented by gold, fitting for her status as royalty.
Bathroom of Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna
Not a single room was overlooked when designing and decorating the Winter Palace, not even the bathrooms.
This is the private bathroom of Tsar Nicholas II’s wife, Alexandra Fyodorovna, and it’s complete with carpeted flooring, a fountain-style bathtub and an intricate chandelier.
Study of Emperor Alexander II
Up next are several studies found throughout the Winter Palace, with almost every family member who resided there having their own. This first one belonged to Emperor Alexander II, and it was littered with precious art, sculpture and portraits.
Study of Crown Prince Nikolay Aleksandrovich
The study of Tsar Nicholas II prior to him taking the throne has a lot more personality, including the armor of a samurai, shelves lined with books and a massive desk ready for studying.
Small study of Grand Princess Maria Nikolayevna
The tsar’s daughter, Maria, had her own smaller study, decorated in a rich green color with walls also lined with precious artwork. There are numerous places to sit in this space, suggesting she enjoyed the room with the company of others.
Large Study of Grand Princess Maria Nikolayevna
Not only did Maria have a small study, she also had a larger one! Plenty of seating areas are scattered around the room, with a large chandelier to light the space at night.
Yellow salon of Grand Princess Maria Nikolayevna
In case she didn’t want to use the small or large study, Maria could withdraw to her yellow salon, aptly named for its bright yellow walls. A beautiful domed ceiling opens up the space, allowing the bright color to liven it up.
Raspberry study of Empress Maria Alexandrovna
Empress Maria chose a more muted raspberry color to decorate her study. Added touches of greenery bring life into the room, and a chaise lounge allows for relaxation beyond the chair at her desk.
Boudoir of Empress Maria Alexandrovna
Empress Maria also had her own private boudoir, which looks as though no expense was spared when it came to decorating it. Somehow, the gold filigree details take a backseat to the deep red walls, curtains and fabric upholstered on the tufted chairs.
Billiard room of Emperor Alexander II
All work and no play wasn’t the reality for Emperor Alexander II, who had his own billiard room. From the looks of it, we guess male guests would have gawked over the weapons that lined the space.
Gold Drawing Room
Arguably, one of the more lavish rooms in the Winter Palace was the Gold Drawing Room. Practically everywhere you look, gold was the main attraction. The walls, ceilings, chandeliers and even the furniture are illuminated with it.
Small church
Along with all the other rooms at the Winter Palace, the great estate also had its own church. The warmth from the windows and the muted green and gold colors created an inviting space, and a mural was painted on the ceiling.
Studio of George Dawe
George Dawe, the English portraitist, had his own studio at the Winter Palace. This makes sense, as he was the one who painted over 300 portraits of Russian generals who served during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia for the palace‘s Military Gallery.
St. George’s Hall
One of the largest rooms in the Winter Palace, St. George’s Hall, served as the principal throne room and hosted many formal events involving the royal family.
It exudes grandeur, with large pillars lining the walls and chandeliers hanging from the decorated ceiling.
Grand staircase
Given the opulence of the rest of the Winter Palace, it’s no surprise the grand staircase is just as luxurious as the rest of the estate. The ivory stone, the intricate detailing of the ceiling and the massive granite pillars all add to its grandeur.
Library
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One of the less flashy rooms at the Winter Palace is Tsar Nicholas II’s private library. Rather than use bright colors or rich stones, it features intricate Gothic-style wood accents. The warmth of the walnut is enriched by the glow of the chandelier, which makes this one of the coziest spaces in the palace.