On the monument "The Bronze Horseman" who is depicted? History of the monument

Monuments are the most interesting and spectacular way to pay tribute and due to the historical past. They admire admirers of art, creativity and history. There are monuments that have a sonorous name, but many people do not know who is on the pedestal. For example, the monument "The Bronze Horseman" - who is depicted on it?

The monument to the brass rider is an excellent example of the personification of the spirit of history in life. We need to plunge into history a little!

"The Bronze Horseman" - who is depicted on horseback?

Many people, even by occupation not related to history, probably heard about the copper rider. But who is depicted on the monument "The Bronze Horseman", this remains an open question for the majority.

This issue is filled with many topics of forums and blogs on the Internet. Who is depicted on the monument "The Bronze Horseman"? Questions about this do not stop.

We will not weary you for long. On the monument "The Bronze Horseman" in St. Petersburg, Peter the Great is depicted. The author of the monument Falcone sought to recreate the figure of Peter in motion, so that they could see not only the great commander and leader of the Russian people, but also the real legislator and creator of life.

On the head of Peter there is a wreath. It is he who emphasizes that Peter is the victor and commander. The monument for history is unique in that it has three pillars on which it holds.

Now to the question about who is depicted on the monument "The Bronze Horseman", one can safely answer - Tsar Peter the Great!

Why in St. Petersburg?

The monument to the brass rider is an important element for the culture and architecture of Russia. Often one can meet the question of who is depicted on the monument "The Bronze Horseman" in Moscow? But there is no such monument in Moscow.

So, where the monument "Bronze Horseman" is located, who is depicted on it, we sorted it out. And it is located not in Moscow, but in St. Petersburg. It was erected by Catherine II in honor of Peter the Great. On the pedestal you can find the inscription: "Peter the Great From Catherine II of the Second Summer of 1782".

The one who is depicted on the monument "The Bronze Horseman" in St. Petersburg is an outstanding personality for the city. So Catherine thought and therefore decided to capture the creator of the city forever. Thus, the Empress decided to pay tribute not only to the city of St. Petersburg, but also to his immediate founder Peter I. By the way, that is why the "Bronze Horseman" was made in St. Petersburg in honor of the founder of the city. Its weight is eight tons, and the height is five meters.

History - the beginning

The initiative to create the monument entirely belongs to Catherine II. By the order of the Empress Alexander Golitsyn turned to Voltaire and Diderot for help and advice in the construction and design of such an important facility for Russia. Catherine greatly trusted Voltaire and Diderot, because their opinion was considered significant.

Etienne-Maurice Falcone - this is the person they recommended to Catherine for the design and construction of the object. And Falcone, in turn, always dreamed of creating a huge monument that will pass through the centuries and will be revered as descendants. The proposal of the Russian court pleased him and inspired him. The master comes to Russia with Marie-Anne Collot. This is his 17-year-old design assistant.

With the sculptor was signed a contract for 200 thousand livres. This is a small amount. The Russian court addressed to other notable masters of the business, but they asked the amount much more.

Later, Assistant Falcone was appointed Felten - a professional architect, who was only to speed up the construction of the pedestal.

Who is depicted on the monument "The Bronze Horseman", the photo shows perfectly.

"Thunder stone" is what you need!

The question arose of finding a suitable stone, on which would be placed a huge monument of Peter the Great. They decided to search for the stone through announcements, and a corresponding message was posted in the newspaper "St. Petersburg Vedomosti".

A suitable stone Grigory Vishnyakov kindly provide under the monument of Peter. It was a huge block, which he wanted to use for his own needs, but he did not even find a tool with which he could split it.

Next came the question of transporting a stone to Petersburg, which weighed 2500 tons. It was delivered in winter, when the soil was stronger and could withstand such a mass.

March 27, 1770 the stone was brought to the shore of the Gulf of Finland, and the operation was completed. During transportation there were many problems that threatened to frustrate the whole project. However, everything went well.

Transportation of this stone even today is absolutely unique. It was the largest stone ever moved by man!

Preparation of the monument

In 1769 a monument of plaster was demonstrated to the public. Now the figure of Peter the Great awaited casting completely.

However, the famous master and designer of the Falcone monument refused to do this work on his own. He has never faced the casting of such a huge monument. Falcone was waiting for Ersman's arrival, who was a specialist in this matter.

However, the great hopes of the sculptor on Ersman did not materialize. He turned out to be a bad specialist and could not cope with the task assigned to him. Falcone himself took up the casting of the monument.

The very first casting occurred in 1775. Further castings were repeated in 1776-1777. The results of the work were personally monitored by Catherine II.

The second casting was more successful than the first one. Then after the completion of Falconet in the inside of the cloak of Peter the Great wrote "Lepil and cast Etienne Falcone, a Parisian". So the work on this magnificent monument was completed.

Monument installation

"The Bronze Horseman" in St. Petersburg was ready to appear before the people. There was only the question of installing the monument on the Senate Square, so that it became public domain, and people could be proud of it.

"Thunder stone" was brought to Petersburg long ago. The height of the block of 11 meters was exactly what is needed to place the monument.

However, the relationship between Falcone and Catherine II was completely spoiled by this time. Falcone had no choice but to leave Petersburg for Paris.

The final installation of the monument was already engaged in Fedor Gordeev. This did not cause him much difficulty, and on August 7, 1782, the opening of the monument to Peter the Great took place. Falcone was never invited to the opening of his Russian offspring. At the opening there was Catherine II herself, who gave the order to open the monument on this day!

The story of Baturin

It was the year 1812th. This was the time when the Russian army fought against the army of Napoleon. There was a high probability that the French troops would break into Petersburg and Moscow and destroy all the heritage of culture that exists in Russia.

Obsessed with these thoughts, Emperor Alexander the First ordered to take all the cultural heritage of the city from St. Petersburg. In the list of Alexander the monument "The Bronze Horseman" was also on the Senate Square.

At this time, a certain Baturin is declared, who was then in the rank of a simple major. He made a personal meeting with Prince Golitsyn to tell him a dream that haunted him for the last few days. In a dream, the major is on the Senate Square. The monument of Peter the Great turns to him and says that in any case he should not be taken out of his native Petersburg. Only with him Petersburg is safe, and no one will touch him.

Surprised by such a dream Baturin, Golitsyn immediately goes to Alexander and tells him about the vision. Alexander was "killed on the spot", but still canceled the order to export the "Bronze Horseman" from St. Petersburg.

Thoughts of Paul

A common story is connected with Peter the Great and the future Emperor Paul the First.

Pavel walked in the evening through the streets of St. Petersburg, when he thought that someone was walking next to him. At first he took it as a game of imagination, but after he really began to feel the presence of another person.

"Paul, I'm the one who takes part in you!", Said the figure next to him. Paul was amazed. He clearly saw the figure of Peter the Great in a raincoat and hat.

This meeting took place on Senate Square. Leaving, Peter said that Paul would see him again here.

Over time, it happened. Pavel received an invitation to open a monument in St. Petersburg. On the monument "The Bronze Horseman" who is depicted? Pavel knew the answer for sure.

"The Bronze Horseman in Culture"

Bright monuments and monuments are often reflected in the stories of writers, poems of poets and drawings of famous artists. The description of the "Bronze Horseman" in St. Petersburg on the Senate Square was no exception.

The monument impressed prominent figures of literature and art of different times, who then reflected it in their work.

Fedor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky in the novel "Teenager" repeatedly mentions the "Bronze Horseman." He experienced in his works for the future of the glorious Petersburg, but did not predict his death, because the city was strongly guarded by the spirit of the famous and great founder Peter.

Mystic Danil Andreev in his "Rose of the World" also remembers the "Bronze Horseman." However, he represents Peter sitting on a dragon.

They mentioned other writers in their works of The Bronze Horseman. There are many paintings written and dedicated to this monument. Peter the Great, immortalized on a horse, made a great impression on the artists.

The Bronze Horseman of Pushkin

Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin is a person who sincerely admired Russian culture and its heritage. The monument of the Bronze Horseman in St. Petersburg could not leave him indifferent. The writer wrote the work "The Bronze Horseman".

In the work it is written, as in 1824 Eugene lost his beloved during the flood. He is experiencing this grief hard. To somehow distract from the accident, he wanders around St. Petersburg.

Evgeny comes to the monument "The Bronze Horseman" and for a moment freezes. He recalls that it was Peter the First who founded the city in the place where troubles and floods can occur. He begins to accuse Peter of his troubles and that the construction was wrong, as was the choice of the place for the construction of St. Petersburg.

Eugene begins to threaten the monument. At this time, the Bronze Horseman jumps off the pedestal and begins to run after the accuser. In reality it happens in Eugene or in a vision, he himself can not understand.

Coinage

The "Bronze Horseman" has found its reflection not only in culture, art and literature, but also on state coins of the USSR period.

The idea of minting coins with Peter was first owned by the Bank of the USSR during the reign of Mikhail Gorbachev in 1988.

Thus, in 1988 the Bank of the USSR began to coin coins. A nominal of 5 rubles was awarded to the monument to Peter the Great in St. Petersburg on the Senate Square. The coin was heavy - 20 grams. Its circulation was 2 million 300 thousand copies.

This is the only known case with coining of coins with the participation of the monument "The Bronze Horseman".

Legends, myths and interesting facts

There are amusing myths and interesting facts related to the monument in St. Petersburg. Let's start with myths.

• There is a rumor that Peter the Great once wanted to skip the Neva. When he said "All is my God and mine" three times, he skipped over the Neva without problems. When he changed the phrase and said "All my and God," then in a moment he froze in place and petrified. Since then there is a monument on the Senate Square.
• Once Peter the Great lay in his bed and it seemed to him that the Swedes were advancing on Petersburg. He jumped up, jumped on his horse and galloped to meet them. However, on his way the snake turned and stopped him on Senate Square. She did not let him jump into the water and saved Peter.
• There are myths in which Peter says that only he can really protect the city from troubles. So it was during the war of 1812-1814. And indeed, the city was not touched by the French.

Interesting Facts:

• When transporting the stone to the pedestal, difficulties and contradictions arose between the workers. Often there were emergency situations. The whole Europe followed the transportation of the stone.
• Falconet originally wanted his "Bronze Horseman" to be without a fence. But it was still installed. At present there is no such fence, and many leave their inscriptions on the monument, spoiling it. There is a possibility that the fence will be installed after all.

"Bronze Horseman" is a symbol of the northern capital of Russia. In St. Petersburg it is worth to go and see this monument with your own eyes. Now that you are in the city on the Neva, you will no longer have a question about who is depicted on the monument "The Bronze Horseman" in St. Petersburg.