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Duchess Alexandra of Oldenburg

Saint Petersburg, 2 Jun 1838 – Pokrovsky Monastery, 26 Apr 1900

10 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born2 Jun 1838, Saint Petersburgor 14 May 1838Records disagree1 source
  • Died26 Apr 1900, Pokrovsky Monasteryor 25 Apr 1900Records disagree1 source
  • FatherDuke Peter of Oldenburgnot verified1 source
  • MotherPrincess Therese of Nassaunot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 2 Jun 1838

    Born in Saint Petersburg

  2. 1856–1864

    2 children are born

  3. 26 Apr 1900

    Dies in Pokrovsky Monastery, aged 61

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 2

During her lifetime

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

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

The 1830s · Duchess is born in Saint Petersburg

In the news1837

Winter Palace Fire in 1837

A devastating fire destroyed the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg in 1837, leading to a massive, rapid rebuilding effort that was completed within just 15 months.

Getting around

Vast network of postal relay stations

The postal system maintained approximately 3,950 relay stations across the empire, utilizing over 50,000 horses to provide fresh teams for travelers and mail couriers.

Around the world1825–1830

The first passenger railway

In England a steam locomotive pulled the first public train in 1825; within decades railways crossed every continent.

Daily life

Peasant cooking methods and meat consumption

In the first half of the 19th century, food was prepared in the Russian oven using clay pots, and occasionally metal cast iron pots, to preserve heat. Peasants typically ate meat only on rare occasions like Christmas or Easter due to poverty and religious fasts.

What people wore

Everyday men's clothing and footwear

Ordinary men typically wore a skewed-collar shirt (kosovorotka) belted over trousers, with bast shoes (lapti) being standard everyday footwear.

Music

Village musicians and popular instruments

During festival gatherings, village musicians played instruments including the balalaika, violin, horn, and the dudka, a flute-like pipe used primarily by men.

At the table

Everyday Drinks of the Peasantry

Kvass, a drink made from rye flour and malt, was the most common everyday beverage for ordinary people. While tea culture was starting to spread, it remained a luxury for many rural families, who often only drank it during illness or on special occasions.