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This site is your Web companion to the Winter Queen by Boris Akunin. It illustrates the exploits of the gentleman detective Erast Fandorin, an important part of which takes place in St. Petersburg, then the capital of the Russian Empire. We’ll follow Mr. Fandorin through the streets and squares of St. Petersburg and see the same places, just as they appeared in the late 19th century and were pictured on antique photos, postcards and paintings. |
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Erast Fandorin did not meet the Russian royals – at least not on the pages of the Winter Queen. But in autocratic Russia, their presence was always felt, and the more so in the empire’s capital. |
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In 1876, the “czar-liberator” Alexander II was no longer young – but still a strong man and ruler. |
Alexander II and Empress Maria pictured abroad (hence a civil dress) on their silver wedding anniversary. |
Alexander III, then the heir to the throne. He had to appear on horseback – much to his dislike. |
Alexander II had a lasting affair with Catherine Dolgoruky, married her in 1880 and entitled their children. |
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We’ll discover the city using an old map – very similar to one that Fandorin might have used. The places mentioned in the Winter Queen are numbered and referred to in the text. |
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As the story goes, Fandorin came to St. Petersburg from London, arriving at Warshawsky Station 1. |
Since it was already too late to solve mysteries, he drove to a hotel along Izmailovsky Ave. 2. |
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However, early next morning Erast rushed to the Post Office 3 (its arch seen at the end of the street). |
He had no other way to go but through St.Isaak Sq. with its great cathedral 4. |
His goal was Brilling’s home - close to the Litejny Bridge 5. |
Together they ran to the Aistairnate, on green Aptekarsky Isle 6. |
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The mystery solved and the evil lady blown up, Fandorin took a train to Moscow from Nikolajevsky Station 7. |
Fandorin’s service was overseen by the Ministry of the Interior, from this palazzo on the Fontanka River 8. |
For his London trip Fandorin was assigned to the Foreign Ministry - at the far right corner of Palace Sq. 9 |
No traveler to St.Petersburg could miss its main thoroughfare – the straight and wide Nevsky Ave. 10 |
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Learn more about the Russian Imperial splendor at alexanderpalace.org |
Images for this site have been borrowed from various Web sources – in a hope that no copyright was violated. |
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© 2002. Michael Chereisky (idea, texts and design) |
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