Nicholas & Alexandra, continued

Close by you’ll see a little statue of a dowager (a rich widow), delicately completed with tiny gems. This is quite intriguing for a small piece, and shows the craftsman’s skill in executing it.

Heart-rending is a letter close by from a little boy in Texas asking the tsar to send him some of his collection of stamps, but warning that he was unable to send any in return as he was too poor.

The couple’s bedroom is on display and it was unusual in that they actually shared a bedroom, not normal with royal couples. There was a simplicity and warmth in these family rooms that was seldom seen by anyone outside.

Nicholas served in the military and was made an honorary colonel. His uniform, that of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guard, as well as the burka uniform worn by the Cossacks is on display. Ironically, in 1941 the Germans used the Alexander palace as a headquarters. Luckily the staff of the palace was able to hide the artifacts so that they were largely preserved, but at the same time, forgotten until decades later. The palace was ideal for the German military—it certainly had plenty of space to fit them all in—the ballroom alone could hold 5,000 people! In 1917 the Tsar was forced to abdicate and the royal family was sent to Siberia.

Several months after their arrival there, the family was taken to the basement (Nicholas thought they were going to have their photographs taken). On July 4, 1918, the assassins opened fire. The men died immediately, but the bullets ricocheted off the girls, who had jewels lining their thick bodices. The assassins tried to bayonet them and when that failed they were bludgeoned, then put in a shallow grave. Legend says that Anastasia, the youngest daughter escaped, but nothing has ever been proven. It was indeed a very sad ending to a royal era.

After the Revolution the surviving Romanov family fled Russia and dispersed across the globe. Later, Nicholas II was canonized a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Once the exhibition has done its rounds in America from Santa Fe to Newark, New Jersey and Cincinnati, Ohil, it will be dispersed and never put on display again. The year 2004 was selected because it marks, on August 1st, the 100th birthday of the Tsar’s only son, Alexis. Catch it while you can. You won’t regret it.

Santa Fe Museum of Fine Arts: tel. 505/476-5059.

One of the best hotels to stay at in the area is the Bishop’s Lodge Resort and Spa. This was the original home of Archbishop Lamy, the Bishop of Southwestern America. He did a lot of good work for the region, bringing in schools for the children. The resort has its own pool, spa and stables.

Bishop’s Lodge: tel 800/419-0492; .

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