The last Romanov residence: 9 facts about Livadia Palace

1. Livadia was the imperial family’s vacation home

Livadia Palace, summer palace of the last Russian Imperial family, The Greater Yalta, Crimea. / Source: Andrey Nekrasov/Global Look Press

Livadia is a settlement in southern Crimea, not far from the city of Yalta. The region is known for its healing climate and became a popular resort town, especially following the development of the railroads in the 19th century. In 1861, Tsar Alexander II bought land in Livadia and had the Grand Palace built there as a gift to his wife. Not long after that, the Minor Palace was built for Alexander III, the next heir to the throne, who visited many times and eventually died there. It was in Livadia, at the Church of the Holy Cross, that the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II ascended to the throne. In this same church, his bride-to-be, Princess Alix of Hesse and by Rhine, converted to Orthodoxy and adopted the name Alexandra Feodorovna.

Livadiya, Crimea, Russian Empire. Emperor Nicolas II getting out of a car by the Livadia Palace. Sitting in the car is Vladimir Dedyulin, responsible for the security of the Tsar’s Palace. Source: TASS

2. The palace was the most expensive imperial "dacha"

At the request of Nicholas II, the original palaces were torn down and one giant palace was built in their place. This palace still stands today. According to estimates, the emperor spent up to four million golden rubles on the construction. The foundation was laid in 1910, and the building was complete after only 17 months.

Livadiya, Crimea, Russian Empire. Russian Emperor Nicholas II (C) and his family on the balcony of the Livadia Palace. / TASS

3. It was a place for relaxation and entertainment

Crimea, Russian Empire. Tzarevitch Alexei Romanov, heir to the Russian throne, during a walk. Source: TASS

The imperial family typically vacationed in Livadia during the spring and fall. To get there, they would take the train from St. Petersburg to Sevastopol, and then board a ship, before eventually arriving at the Yalta port with great ceremony. The tsar, with his wife and children, would enjoy the healing air, go for walks, swim, sunbathe, go hunting, ride horses, and take drives in the countryside. The family also loved to play tennis and had a tennis court built. Photography was yet another passion. Today, there are still personal photographs from the imperial albums, which show images such as the Grand Duchesses posing in seafoam or the emperor and his entourage sitting on a large rock. The last time the imperial family visited Livadia was during the spring of 1914. World War I began later that summer and revolutionary activity commenced shortly thereafter, preventing further visits.

4. It was designed by the architect Nikolai Krasnov

By the age of 24, Nikolay Krasnov was a leading architect in Yalta. Source: Archive Photo

The Livadia Palace was designed by Nikolai Krasnov, a Russian of peasant origin. By the age of 24, he was already a leading architect in Yalta and his work contributed to making Yalta the beautiful city we frequently read about in Russian literature and memoirs. More than 60 buildings in Yalta were constructed according to his designs, many of them villas, which were commissioned by aristocrats from the capital. Following the Russian Revolution, Krasnov and his family left the country and went to Constantinople and Malta before finally settling in Belgrade. He continued his architectural career there and designed a series of palaces, including one in Dedin, which was the residence of Yugoslavian King Alexander Karađorđević.

5. The palace was designed in the Italian style

The most "Italian" element of the palace is the inner courtyard, which is surrounded by arcades, full of greenery, and has a marble fountain in the middle. Source: Andrey Nekrasov/Global Look Press

The palace was built in the style of Italian Neo-Renaissance villas, with open patios, elaborate balconies and ornate interiors. White Crimean granite was used as the building material. The most "Italian" element of the palace is the inner courtyard, which is surrounded by arcades, full of greenery, and has a marble fountain in the middle. The patios have marble benches with armrests in the form of griffons.

6. The residence is also a great example of the eclectic style

In the second half of the 19th century architects began to integrate various styles and influences into the construction of one building. The Livadia Palace is an example of this mix. Source: Vladimir Astapkovich/RIA Novosti

In the second half of the 19th century, a style known as eclecticism became very common in architecture and interior design. Architects began to integrate various styles and influences into the construction of one building. The Livadia Palace is an example of this mix. The second-floor private apartments of the imperial family were modern, while a Byzantine style was used for the church. Meanwhile, the two skylights were designed differently, one in the Gothic style with chimeras and the other in an Arabic style, featuring majolica tiles and oriental decor.

7. Some of the original interiors remain today

After the Russian Revolution the palace served as a tuberculosis sanatorium for peasants. Fortunately, some of the wonderful décor and interiors remain. Source: Vladimir Astapkovich/RIA Novosti

After the Russian Revolution, the building was no longer used as a palace. In fact, during the Soviet era it became a sanatorium. Fortunately, some of the wonderful décor and interiors remain. These include Carrara marble columns and fireplace in the main dining room, a Jacob-style mahogany-paneled reception cabinet with brass finishing, an English-style billiards room and a handmade rug depicting Nicholas II with his family.

8. The palace has been a museum since the end of Perestroika

From the end of World War II until Stalin's death in 1953, the residence was used as a dacha for state officials. Source: Israel Ozersky/RIA Novosti

Immediately after the Revolution, the palace briefly became a museum preserving the heritage of imperial family life. Later on, it served as a tuberculosis sanatorium for peasants and from the end of World War II until Stalin's death in 1953, the residence was used as a dacha for state officials. In 1993, the palace was reopened as a museum.

9. This was the location of the famed Yalta Conference

During the Yalta conference, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his delegation were given 43 rooms in the palace during the conference. Source: Imago/Global Look Press

The palace was the site of one of the most important political events of World War II, the Yalta Conference. This summit was attended by the three heads of state from the anti-Hitler Allied forces, and included representatives from the USSR, the U.S. and Great Britain. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his delegation were given 43 rooms in the palace during the conference.

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