Skip to content
VitrineVitrine
Sign in

Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia

Pushkin, 17 Oct 1853 – Zurich, 24 Oct 1920

8 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 17 Oct 1853

    Born in Pushkin

  2. 1874–1884

    6 children are born

  3. 24 Oct 1920

    Dies in Zurich, aged 67

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 6

During her lifetime

She lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Pushkin.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1850s · Grand is born in Pushkin

In the news1852

1852 Railway Act promotes industrial growth

The 1852 Railway Act empowered private companies to build Switzerland's rail network, which became a vital driver of industrial modernization.

What people wore

Peasant Footwear and Versatile Fur Coats

Peasants frequently wore bast shoes made from tree bark, but wealthier individuals wore leather boots for important occasions. In winter, both rich and poor favored sheepskin coats, which were often worn year-round and served multiple roles, including as bedding.

Getting around

Railways revolutionized long-distance travel speed

The railway between St. Petersburg and Moscow, opened in 1851, reduced travel time between the two cities from four days by carriage to 22 hours by train.

Italy is unified. Garibaldi, Cavour and Victor Emmanuel joined the Italian states into one kingdom, with Rome its capital from 1871.In Europe · 1859–1871

Italy is unified. Garibaldi, Cavour and Victor Emmanuel joined the Italian states into one kingdom, with Rome its capital from 1871.

Baldassare Verazzi (1819-1886) · public domain

In the news1850

Introduction of the Swiss franc in 1850

In 1850, Switzerland adopted the Swiss franc as a single national currency, replacing various local cantonal currencies.

Music

Improvised percussion for fast dances

During fast dances called pliaska, performers sometimes used improvised percussion instruments like wooden spoons, a metal pot, or even a scythe.

Daily life

Peasant Log Cabins and Shared Living Spaces

Peasants lived in timber log cabins, often consisting of a single living room with a large brick stove used for heating, sleeping, and cooking. Due to extreme cold, families shared these small, smoke-filled rooms with their livestock during the winter months.