General » Monuments

Bronze Horseman

Сountry: Russia

Locality: Saint Petersburg

Nearest metro station: Sadovaya

Established: 1782

Sculptor: Étienne Maurice Falconet

Description

Big, almost five meters in height bronze sculpture of Peter the Great on the horse is placed on the pedestal from a stone what looks like a wave. Horse stands on the back legs and Peter holds his hand ahead toward the Kingdom of Sweden a main enemy in the Great Northern War. The pedestal was made from one big stone from a rock. Shape like a wave was chosen because Peter the Great founded Russian fleet and open the sea routes for Russia.

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Creation history

The creation of the monument took more than ten difficult years. Étienne Maurice Falconet spent three years for creating a model of the sculpture. During a casting the pipe was broken and part of sculpture was spoiled. Falconet had to create new casting form. With the pedestal also was problem. When was found a granite monolith became a question how to delivered it to Saint Petersburg. Because granite monolith was very heavy was organized tender of the best project for transporting it. The pedestal got its name from a legend. The rock was struck by lightning and one big part was split. The monument to Peter the Great also got its name Bronze Horseman after Alexander Pushkin had written his poem the Bronze Horseman.

Tradition

The monument is very popular place where the newly married couples go just after the registry office.

How to find

Go to metro station Sadovaya (Garden) and exit to Grivtsov lane. On this lane go to north. Pass Griboyedov Canal and go till Moyka River and turn left toward Blue Bridge. Pass this bridge and you are on Saint Isaac`s Square. Pass the monument to Nicholas I and Saint Isaac`s Cathedral and go to Alexander Garden. Go along the passage Decembrists toward embankment of Neva River there on the Senate Square next to Admiralty building you will see this monument to Peter the Great.

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