(Source: http://www.imenno.ru/2014/04/07/145569)

About 300 exhibits related to the sporting passions of the royal family were presented at the exhibition "Learning the Body Splendor. Romanovs and sports” in Tver.

Exposure compiled from Peterhof State Museum Reserve opened in Tver Art Gallery. The exhibition tells about the role of sports in the life of royal dynasty. For example, Peter I was at the forefront of the rowing and sailing, empresses Anna Ivanovna and Elizaveta Petrovna were hunting lovers and often practiced shooting, and Nicholas I did gymnastics and fencing.

"We know that Yekaterina II was fond of riding, – art historian Olga Piotrovskaya said. The exhibition displays a horse attire – the tack of Brilliant, the favorite horse of Empress."  Nikolas II is considered the most athletic Russian tsar. He did gymnastics, swimming, kayaking, participated in many sporting events, loved tennis.

The exhibition shows not only preserved tennis rackets from those times, but also birdies. “Romanov family liked playing crocket a lot, - the art historian continues. - This sportive fun came to Russia from England in the second half of 19th century. The exhibition presents a croquet set made in the late 19th – early 20th century”.

In the second half of the 19th century the royal family found a new passion – bicycles. Visitors can also see the famous Spider bike of Alexander III. The Russian tsar also loved hunting and fishing. As Mrs. Piotrovskaya noted, "one of the unique exhibits is the "Cup of Faberge" made in 1898. It was personally handed by the Emperor Nicholas II to sailing race winner – the yacht "Perun". The exhibition also displays memoirs, letters, archive documents, paintings and other museum objects (such as skis, skates, sleigh, hunting weapons, swords and ship models), one way or another connected with sporting preferences of the Romanovs. Such sports as running, wrestling, rowing, fencing and chess developed under their patronage," - the art historian said.

The exhibition in Tver is open until May 25. The event is dedicated to the Year of Culture in Russia.