The Bronze Horseman, a monument to Peter the Great, is located on Senate Square in St. Petersburg. This bronze sculpture, unveiled on August 18, 1782, has become a symbol of the Russian Empire and an important event in world architecture. The monument is situated in the historical center of the city, weighs eight tons, and stands over five meters tall. Tourists from around the world strive to see it, and newlyweds traditionally lay flowers at the feet of Peter the First during wedding ceremonies.

Creation History

Catherine the Second sought to immortalize the memory of Peter the Great and in 1766 commissioned envoy Golitsyn to conclude a contract in Paris with the renowned sculptor Étienne Falconet. Falconet's team arrived in St. Petersburg the same year to work on the monument.

Falconet was chosen on the recommendation of Diderot, although he had not previously engaged in monumental sculpture. He agreed to a fee of 200,000 livres, which was significantly less than that of his competitors. However, due to a lack of experience, the work dragged on for several years.

Problems arose with the choice of pedestal. After long searches, the "Thunder Stone" was found in the suburbs of the city, pointed out by peasant Semyon Vishnyakov. Catherine personally oversaw the loading of the stone and insisted on its pristine appearance. The transportation, which began in the winter of 1769, lasted several months and required significant effort. In October 1770, the "Thunder Stone" was installed on Senate Square, marking a significant event for the city.

Casting and Installation of the Monument

A plaster model of the monument was created in 1769 and was discussed not only by Catherine but also by European philosophers such as Diderot and Voltaire. The equestrian monument depicts Peter the Great as a creator and legislator. The pedestal symbolizes the difficulties Peter overcame on the path to modernizing the country. The snake entwined around the horse's legs symbolizes the external enemy.

Problems arose in creating Peter's face. Falconet used guardsmen as models, but Catherine disapproved of his work. Ultimately, 19-year-old Marie-Anne Collot gave Peter's face masculine features. Falconet awaited the arrival of the caster, but the work was ultimately completed by Russian masters. The first casting in 1775 was unsuccessful, but work continued.

Catherine dismissed Falconet due to the prolonged process, and the work was completed by Felten. At the ceremonial opening of the monument, Catherine observed the ceremony from the Senate balcony. An inscription dedicating the monument to Peter I from Catherine II is carved on the pedestal.

Restoration of the Object

The first restoration of the Bronze Horseman took place in 1909, and in 1976, more extensive work was carried out using modern methods. In 2003, before the anniversary of St. Petersburg, the monument was restored again.

Aura of Mystique Surrounding the Monument

There is a belief that the Bronze Horseman looks at the monument to Charles the Twelfth in Stockholm, continuing their rivalry. Legends associate the appearance of Peter's ghost with significant events in Russian history, such as Napoleon's invasion in 1812.

Trace in Culture

The Bronze Horseman has become an important image in 19th-century Russian literature, especially in Pushkin's poem of the same name. The monument is also mentioned in the works of Dostoevsky, Avdeev, and White. In Soviet and Russian numismatics and philately, the image of Peter the Great has been used repeatedly. During the Great Patriotic War, the monument was protected with bags of earth and sand and was not damaged by bombings.

Address: St. Petersburg, Senate Square. The monument is easily accessible, just a 10-minute walk from the nearest metro station. The best time for photographs is late autumn when the Bronze Horseman looks particularly majestic.