IOSIFOVNA, Alexandra

The soon-to-be Grand Duchess Alexandra Iosifovna of Russia (Josephowna in some sources) and Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia were married in the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, on 11 September 1848. Konstantin received the Marble Palace in St Petersburg as a wedding gift from his parents. Strelna on the Gulf of Finland, which Konstantin inherited when aged four, was the wedded couple's country retreat. The lively Grand Duchess Alexandra Iosifovna took a particular interest in the grounds at Strelna, establishing a free school of gardening, where she taught classes herself. There were also educational toys for the children: a wooden mast and trampoline for gymnastics, and the transplanted cabin of one of Konstantin's frigates.

A year after their marriage, Konstantin inherited the Pavlovsk Palace, situated 19 miles to the south of St Petersburg, from his uncle Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich. The public was admitted to the fine park in its grounds. The Grand-Ducal family supported an impressive concert hall situated at Pavlovsk station, which proved popular with the middle classes, and attracted names such as Johann Strauss II, Franz Liszt, and Hector Berlioz.

Alexandra Iosifovna loved to play music, composing marches, and was generally very fond of music. She hosted brilliant musical evenings. Johann Strauss even dedicated the waltz "To the Grand Duchess Alexandra" and the quadrille "Strelna Terrace" to her—so inspired was he by his meeting with Grand Duchess Alexandra Iosifovna.