I am intrigued with
two castles in Italy, Racconigi and Pollenzo, that I was unaware of until
reading Nicholas’ diaries.
On Tuesday, October 6th,
1909 Nicholas II left his family in Livadia in the Crimea for his solo trip to
Italy.
After passing Turin
on Saturday October 10th, his train arrived at Racconigi at 2:30 PM,
where he was met by the King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. Arriving at the
palace, he was greeted by Queen Elena and her ladies on the terrace.
Nicholas then wrote
“… Having changed clothes in our magnificent rooms, I went upstairs to our
hosts, had tea, looked over their rooms … I remained very pleased with our
reception and the family-like way in which I was treated …”
Photos below
of Racconigi Castle and Greenhouses
On Sunday October 11th, Nicholas wrote “... at 9 AM I went off with
the King by car to another estate – Pollenzo. We looked over the Gothic style
building …”
The engraving below
is from a photo of Castello de Pollenzo c1900.
A rare current photo
of Pollenzo as it is privately owned.
If anyone has links,
it would be fascinating to see archival photos of the Italian Royal Family at
Racconigi and Pollenzo.
To be born rich. Everything you could want, is at your command and fingertips.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be King.....
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be King.....
ReplyDeleteIt is sad. What we think of as a rich and comfortable life, 'they' wished to escape for a more normal life. To read of the children peering out of the Anichkov garden gates looking at passersby or of Queen Victoria's daughters wishing to just be free to go into London, you know the impact of that enclosed life on their future reigns.
ReplyDelete