Firstly some history. Rasputin was born a peasant and became a monk, although his social activities were far from monkish frequently enjoying a good drink and woman. In 1908 he somehow cured or at least helped, the haemophilic son of Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Aleksandra, and so became the confidant of Aleksandra. The aristocracy didnt like this so plotted to murder him. The bunny elected to do this was Prince Felix Yusupov who had a few interesting habits of his own.
Rasputin was invited to a very private party where he was given a drink containing cyanide. This didnt do much to do away with him so the conspirators decided they would shoot him. Well poor old Felix shot him several times but still Rasputin lived. In the end they took Rasputin to the river and threw him in under the ice (it was December).
The body was found quickly and post mortem suggested he was still alive when thrown in the river. So it may be that the incompetent killers ended up drowning him.
Anyway, we visited the house and there are these little tableaus to entertain. There were passages and secret entrances all over so no wonder they chose this house to do the deed.
The supposed last meal.
and an anxious conspirator.
The man himself.
So far the 'museum' was lighthearted if anything. But this grim photo from police files and the police report curbed the smiles.
Eleswhere in the house were the usual number of fabulously decorated rooms. There was also this mini Opera House, complete with balconies and a large stage. A happier note on which to leave the building.
2 comments:
Well done! Good blog. Were you allowed to take all those photos of paintings and inside the palaces etc?
Thanks Sus. It has been a lot of fun.
A number of places charged for taking photos. Usually the guide counted hands and paid for us. But at the last two places it was left to us to pay. That nicely used up the very last of my roubles.
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