Pushkin, the greatest Russian poet, has been honored with numerous monuments around the world. One of the most famous and romantic is the sculpture in St. Petersburg, where Pushkin spent a significant part of his life, including his years of study at the Imperial Lyceum of Tsarskoye Selo. This monument is installed in the garden of the Catherine Palace and rivals the creation of Anikushin at the Arts Square in popularity.

History of Creation

In 1860, the lyceum in Tsarskoye Selo celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the students proposed to erect a monument to Pushkin, one of their most famous alumni. The idea received support, but it turned out that the funds raised were insufficient for a worthy sculpture. Fundraising began in 1861, and the first designs for the monument emerged, which were actively discussed, but financing became a problem again. Emperor Alexander II stated that there were already enough monuments in St. Petersburg, and Pushkin's sculpture was installed in Moscow on Tverskoy Boulevard.

Opening of the Monument

The monument was eventually installed in the Lyceum Garden of Tsarskoye Selo by the poet's 100th anniversary. Emperor Nicholas II chose the project of sculptor Robert Bach. The director of the Nikolayev Gymnasium, Innokenty Annensky, a poet and playwright, selected the lines for the pedestal. The laying of the monument took place on May 26 (June 6) 1899. Cultural events, including poetry readings and a concert, were organized for this day. The funds for the monument were allocated from the budget. The sculpture was cast at the factory of Nikolai Stange in St. Petersburg, whose products were highly praised at the World Exhibition in Chicago in 1893.

The monument was unveiled in 1900. Among the guests were Grand Duchess Elizabeth Mavrikievna, Princess Tatyana Konstantinovna, and the poet's son, General Alexander Alexandrovich Pushkin.

Fact:

The unveiling of the monument was exciting. Annensky was worried that the lines on the pedestal were misspelled and rushed to the Lyceum Square early in the morning to ensure their correctness. The bronze sculpture pleased everyone, and the sculptor often visited his creation.

The Bronze Dreamer

The monument depicts Pushkin sitting on a bench in a thoughtful pose. A cap lies beside him, and the poet is dressed in the uniform of a lyceist. Flowers were planted around the monument, and a small fence was installed. However, this did not save the monument from hooligans eager to sit next to the poet. Among them was Sergei Yesenin, who even hired a photographer to capture himself next to Pushkin.

Years of War and the 20th Century

During the Great Patriotic War, the city, renamed Pushkin, was occupied by the Germans. The residents removed the monument and hid it in the garden. The Germans could not find it, despite actively questioning the locals. The empty pedestal was used for shooting, leaving bullet marks. The monument was raised in April 1945 and restoration began. The unveiling took place on June 17, but the original pedestal was lost.

Where Do Romantics Gather?

Today, admirers of Pushkin's work and those who feel a connection to melancholic St. Petersburg gather at the monument. Flowers are brought to the pedestal, poems are read, and lovers sit on the benches. However, no one dares to take photos with Pushkin, as Yesenin did. From 2003 to 2009, the monument suffered, and the poet's bronze cap disappeared. In 2010, a local miniature master, Andrei Rykovanov, made and installed a new cap.