The Official Site of the Caprican Monarchy: 2013

Monday 5 August 2013

Official State Visit Announced

ALEXANDRIA: The Winter Palace

Their Imperial Majesties, Tsar Peter III and The Tsarina will be making their first official State Visit to the Italia-Caprican States this August.
Both The Tsar and Tsarina, accompanied by HIH The Grand Duchess Alexandra, will be visiting The Governor General of Italia-Caprica, Their Graces the Duce and Duchessa di Parravicini e Monza at their summer residence Casa Casiraghi on the outskirts of Monza. HIH The Crown Prince Imperial Frederick will remain at The Summer Palace at Berinstorff.
The State Visit was requested by the Regional Government in 2012 as part of a local initiative to promote Italia-Caprican cultural and artistic trade with other parts of the Caprican Empire globally.
Italia-Caprica is fervently loyalist towards the Empire and no doubt a huge supportive turnout will be enjoyed by the Imperial Couple and their eldest daughter, The Grand Duchess.

Saturday 3 August 2013

Winter Palace Summer Public Opening

ALEXANDRIA: State Rooms of The Winter Palace

This year's opening of The Winter Palace will once again allow visitors a spectacular and breath taking tour of one of the Nation's and World's most iconic buildings. This year the tour will focus on the Crown Imperial Regalia.

The Iconic Winter Palace Facade

Visitors will enter via the Ambassador's Entrance

The Ambassador's Entrance contains a life-sized statue of Tsar Alexander I, founder of Alexandria

The Throne Room

The Throne Room is the setting for Coronations and the receipt of Imperial Awards

The Palace Ball Room

The Ball Room hosts an overwhelming display of Imperial Crown Regalia this year

The Coronation photograph of Their Imperial Majesties in the Palace Ballroom shows the Imperial Crown Regalia in use

The Palace Kitchens

Although not part of the tour, visitors may buy refreshments from the Palace Kitchens

The Grand Staircase

Visitors can witness the Palace being restored as work continues on newly commissioned stairs

The Music Room

Enjoy listening to music played by talented Alexandrian teenage musicians each day

The Balcony

Evening Tour visitors will be able to step out onto the famous Balcony and enjoy the spectacular view down the Imperial Mall usually only seen by members of the Imperial Family on great occasions of State; such as here, the Coronation of the Emperor and Empress.

Please book tickets early to avoid disappointment. The Palace is open daily throughout August from 9am to 5pm. Personalised group evening tours are available from 7pm to 9pm and include a buffet dinner in the Blue Drawing Room with access onto the famous Balcony. Numbers for Evening Tours are limited.

The Imperial Coat of Arms

The Imperial Coat of Arms contains a central shield depicting the Imperial Eagle bisected to denote both Caprica and The Low Islands. It is supported by two lions rampant. The Great Crown of Caprica is atop the shield. The motto translates into, "My right is above Gods and Men.' This means that it is the right of all Caprican citizens to be judged by the Law and not the ideology of religion or individuals. The red of Caprica and yellow of The Low Islands make up the United National Flag.

History of the Palace

The Winter Palace is built in Caprican Neo-Classical style in a palladium format. Built over four floors it houses the State Rooms (rooms reserved for official State and Ceremonial functions), with the private quarters of the Imperial Family on the third floor. The attic (fourth floor) accommodates the Imperial Nursery, staff quarters and storage rooms for the Imperial collection.
The Palace was envisaged by The Empress Catherine (the Great) and built on the site of the former, albeit much smaller, palace of the same name.
In 2013 the State Dining Room above the Ballroom was deemed to be unnecessary (State Dinners having been held at the Eulenbourg Palace since 2010), therefore the floor was removed heightening the ceiling of the Ballroom to accommodate three vast chandeliers (a gift from the Minifigs of Danmark). A mezzanine walkway was incorporated to allow access from the West to East Wings and The Balcony at first floor level.
The Palace is constantly evolving and at present a new Grand Stairway of stone is being constructed to replace the older wooden one.