Monument to Torghils Knutsson: description of the monument and photo

Attempts to rewrite history or to oblivion some of its facts that run counter to the dominant ideology have always been made. In this case, not only people suffered, but also monuments. Many cases of destruction of monuments, including those of artistic value, were initiated by representatives of authorities of different levels during the Soviet period. Among them is the monument to Torgils Knutsson (Vyborg). He stood for 40 years in front of the Old Town Hall, and then as much as he dusted first in the barn of the municipal services of the city, and later in the cellar under the tower of Old Olaf.

Who is Torghils Knutsson

First of all, it is necessary to find out who was the person to whom the monument was erected in the very center of Vyborg. So, unknown to the majority of Russians the name of Torgils Knutsson was worn by the Swedish marshal who for more than 15 years ruled the country on behalf of the young King Birger Magnusson. In addition, he was an active participant in the process of Christianization of the Finns and Karelians in the late 13th century, in 1293 founded the Vyborg Castle.

Prehistory

The idea to establish a monument to Torgils Knutsson in Vyborg was first conceived by the architect Jacob Arenberg. He was engaged in the restoration of the castle and had a romantic view of the history of the Swedish presence in the region. In the early 1880s he was approached by the sculptor Ville Valgren, who needed orders. Arenberg has long dreamed of establishing a monument to the founder of Vyborg and promised to think about it. At the end of 1884 a literary charity evening was organized in the city, during which 300 marks were collected for the construction of the monument. At the same time, Arenberg undertook to reschedule the area for free and to perform preparatory work. Meanwhile, the first model of the sculptural image of the Swedish marshal was unsuitable, and Valgren had to make a second, which required new expenses. But the main difficulties were ahead, as it turned out that the idea to establish a monument to Torgils Knutsson was not at all like the military commandant of Vyborg, Major General M. Dukhonin, and the governor, Count Fedor Heyden.

Production of a sketch

Not having permission to set up a monument in Vyborg, Torgils Knutsson, its authors have nevertheless begun to work on its creation. In particular, Valgren went to Paris, where in his workshop in 1888 he made a cast of bronze plaster. At the end of spring, he was taken to Vyborg and exhibited in the city museum, decorating the sign "Knight".

Monument to Torgils Knutsson: history of creation

At the beginning of 1890, the petition filed on behalf of the Vyborg residents by Jacob Arenberg was rejected. Moreover, Alexander the Third issued a decree prohibiting the installation of monuments in public places "without prior permission from the Highest Assignment." However, the story did not end there, as two circumstances arose: the local pharmacist Johann von Zweigberg bequeathed 167,000 Finnish marks for the decoration of Vyborg before his death, and the Revolution of 1905 occurred, after which the authorities began to pay more attention to the requirements of the population of the outskirts of the empire. As a result, Nicholas II approved the sketch of the monument to Knutsson and gave permission for its installation. At the same time, the municipality allocated 30 thousand marks from the money, bequeathed to the city, for the casting of the monument in Paris.

In 1908, work was carried out to improve the area, where it was supposed to establish the figure Knutsson. Also, a granite pedestal was made, the author of the project was the well-known modern architect Karl Segerstad.

Opening

The ceremony took place on September 21, 1908, as part of the celebration of the Swedish Day. By the way, on the same day, another work by sculptor Valgren, Havis Amanda, was installed on Helsinki's Trade Square.

The news that a monument to Torgils Knutsson appeared in Vyborg was met with ambiguous Russian society. Many politicians and the military considered insulting the fact of installing the monument to a man who shed Russian blood and forcefully planted Swedish culture. However, in the "Finnish newspaper" an article appeared, the author of which stated that Knutsson fought with the army of the Novgorod Republic. According to the author, she had no relation to the Russian Empire, which then simply did not exist. In addition, representatives of the Finnish and Swedish publics made a statement that the monument to Torgils Knutsson is historical, connected with the founding of the castle and has nothing to do with politics.

This polemic made Nicholas II take the "Solomonic" decision. So in Vyborg on the rock, from which the stronghold, founded by the marshal, was visible, a monument to Peter the Great appeared.

Dismantling

In the first half of the 1940s, as a result of military operations, Vyborg repeatedly passed from hand to hand. Despite this, the monument to Torgils Knutsson (see description below) until 1948 remained on his pedestal and had no damage.

It is still not clear how the city authorities of Vyborg prevented the monument of its founder. It is only known that, one day, in the middle of 1948, a call was made to the command of the battalion of communications, standing in the castle. During the telephone conversation, the military was asked to remove the monument to Torgils Knutsson, whose photo for many years was decorated with postcards sent by residents to relatives in Sweden and the cities of the Russian Empire. The appeal did not remain unrequited, and one night the soldiers simply tied the rope to the neck of the captain's figure and jerked it off the pedestal. As a result, the monument was seriously damaged, and he himself was in the shed of Vyborg municipal services. After 30 years, the staff of the local museum found a bronze figure Knutsson, but before the installation to the original place it did not come, and he was kept more than 10 years in the basement of the castle.

Recovery

Only in 1991 the monument to Torgils Knutsson in Vyborg (address: square of the Old Town Hall) was restored, and a new original pedestal design was developed. Two years later, in honor of the 700th anniversary of the founding of the castle, the monument was opened and again became the main decoration of the city.

Description

The monument is rather modest in size, but it looks impressive enough.

Marshal Knutsson in a battle helmet stands on a high granite pedestal, facing his castle. His right hand grasps the sword and is thrown to the side. In the left he holds the triangular shield lowered to his thigh. On its surface there is a relief image of the heraldic lion. The figure has a victorious look and fully meets the requirements of the customer Jakob Arenberg, who wished that the armor and all knightly attributes were depicted as accurately as possible.

Now you know who Torgilis Knutsson is, the monument to which the square of the Old Town Hall in Vyborg adorns, and you will certainly want to see it if you find yourself in these places.