Legend of the mansion of Matilda Kshesinska

Legend of the mansion of Matilda Kshesinska

The mansion was built in 1904-1906 in the style of “Northern Art Nouveau” by architect A. I. von Gauguin for ballerina Matilda Kshesinskaya. The architect A. I. Dmitriev took part in the interior design.

The building – a classic example of northern modernity – is distinguished by an asymmetrical plan and a composition of different high volumes. Free rhythm of different size windows corresponds to the location of the premises. A contrasting combination of finishing materials was used: red and gray granite, facing brick and majolica tiles, decorative metal. The interior space is organized in the form of an enfilade with a glazed winter garden. The interior layout of the building of the mansion, and its appearance also reflected the personal preferences of the prima ballerina. The mansion is a building of extraordinary beauty, combining in a common ensemble two enfilades of halls, a chic winter garden and a large number of various outbuildings.

The owner of the mansion was the prima ballerina of the Mariinsky Theatre Matilda Kshesinskaya. At the graduation evening of the Imperial Theatre School, the entire royal family was present, Matilda and Nicholas were introduced to the festive banquet after the graduation of Kshesinskaya’s demonstration on stage. From that day on, their correspondence and short meetings began. The affair with the heir proceeded with the full approval of Nicholas' parents. Maria Fedorovna was very concerned that her son did not pay any attention to women. And no matter what beautiful girls were presented to him, Nicholas was cold and indifferent to them. And only after meeting Kshesinskaya, he seemed to come alive.

Before his marriage to Alexander Fedorovna, the future Emperor Nicholas II was passionately in love with the ballerina of the Mariinsky Theatre Matilda Kshesinskaya. The connection between the ballerina and the Tsarevich began when the future emperor was only 22 years old. Nicholas fell in love with the dancer instantly and a three-year romance followed.

Both understood that their relationship was destined to perish, both did not build illusions, and enjoyed the fruits of love. Nicholas gave his beloved jewelry, helped in the service in the Mariinsky Theatre and, according to rumors, gave money for the construction of a mansion in the style of “Northern Art Nouveau”, where the Museum of Political History is now located.

Rumor has it that during the construction of the mansion, Nicholas gave the order to create a long tunnel under the building leading directly to the Winter Palace, through which the Tsarevich could at any time of the day or night come on a date with his beloved. Whether it is true or not, we cannot judge.

The youthful fascination ended in 1894, by the time of Nicholas's engagement. The future emperor chose Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, Princess Alice of Hesse-Darmstadt, and Kshesinskaya supported him in this choice.

Matilda married Prince Andrei Vladimirovich Romanov, a cousin of Nicholas.