Posted on No Comments on THE ROMANOV FAMILY: “GIANT STEPS” GAME

THE ROMANOV FAMILY: “GIANT STEPS” GAME

THE ROMANOV FAMILY: “GIANT STEPS” GAME

What exactly is “Giant Steps” the game that is so often mentioned in the Romanov diaries and letters?  A number of swings with harnesses are secured to a pole by long ropes, and everyone swings around, taking giant strides.

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Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia playing on Giant Steps

 

Anastasia to Nicholas II:  “31 May, 1916. Tsarskoe Selo… These days Maria and I swing on giant steps a lot. We are almost never nauseous, [although] we fell a bunch of times already, but so far have not hurt ourselves…”

 

Tatiana, Anastasia and Nicholas II on Giant Steps

 

Giant Steps swing

 

Nicholas II to Maria:  “Imperial Headquarters, 13 June, 1916… Alexei, Nagorny and Muravnukin are on the giant steps or we play a sort of hide-and-seek…”&nbsp

Alexei on the Giant Steps at Stavka

The Romanov family even built  a make-shift Giant Steps swing for Alexei in the backyard of Governor’s mansion in Tobolsk, obviously it was one of their favourite activities.

Alexei swinging on the Giants Steps in the backyard of the Governor’s mansion in Tobolsk
Apparently, “Giant Steps” is still relatively popular in modern Russia:

 

 

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Posted on No Comments on ROMANOV FAMILY: PIERRE GILLIARD’S CAMERA

ROMANOV FAMILY: PIERRE GILLIARD’S CAMERA

ROMANOV FAMILY: PIERRE GILLIARD’S CAMERA

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Recently a very special camera was brought over from Switzerland to Tsarskoe Selo. This camera was donated to the Tsarskoe Selo Museum by the descendants of Pierre Gilliard, the tutor of Tsar Nicholas II’s children, who once purchased it in St Petersburg.

Gillard used this camera to take many photographs of the Romanov  family.

Read more ROMANOV FAMILY: PIERRE GILLIARD’S CAMERA

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Posted on No Comments on ROMANOV FAMILY PLACES: THEN AND NOW KEEPSAKE ALBUM

ROMANOV FAMILY PLACES: THEN AND NOW KEEPSAKE ALBUM

ROMANOV FAMILY PLACES: THEN AND NOW KEEPSAKE ALBUM

Everyone loves “then and now” photographs. Here is another digital “keepsake” album dedicated to the places associated with the Romanov family.

Read more ROMANOV FAMILY PLACES: THEN AND NOW KEEPSAKE ALBUM

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Posted on No Comments on ROMANOV FAMILY: OTMA KEEPSAKE ALBUM

ROMANOV FAMILY: OTMA KEEPSAKE ALBUM

ROMANOV FAMILY: OTMA KEEPSAKE ALBUM

I created this digital keepsake album for OTMA Romanov, much like the ones they used to often make themselves. Hope you enjoy!

Read more ROMANOV FAMILY: OTMA KEEPSAKE ALBUM

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Posted on 1 Comment on ROMANOV FAMILY: RARE PHOTOS – BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY’S VISIT ON THE STANDART.

ROMANOV FAMILY: RARE PHOTOS – BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY’S VISIT ON THE STANDART.

On June 9, 1908,  King Edward VII became the first British monarch to visit Russia and his Romanov cousins.  Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra were Edward VII’s nephew and niece, and he met them and the entire Romanov family on the waters of the Bay of Reval (today Tallinn). The king and his wife, Queen Alexandra, joined the Romanov family onboard the Russian imperial yacht The Standart.

“It is with feelings of the deepest satisfaction and pleasure that I welcome your Majesty and her Majesty the Queen to Russian waters. I trust that this meeting, while strengthening the many and strong ties which unite our Houses, will have the happy results of drawing our countries closer together, and of promoting and maintaining the peace of the world.”

The photographs below were also taken during the Cowes Regatta British royal visit on August 2nd of 1909. Read more ROMANOV FAMILY: RARE PHOTOS – BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY’S VISIT ON THE STANDART.

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