The Alexandrian Pillar. Sights of Saint-Petersburg

Whoever did not visit himself in St. Petersburg, he heard about one of his characters thanks to the works of Pushkin. "I erected a monument to myself not made by hands ...". For the great poet, this landmark of the city on the Neva was the true measure of height in all understandings of this word. I would really like to know: what is he, the pillar of Alexandria?

About pillars and pillars

By the way, ignorant people sometimes say not a pillar, but a pillar. What is the difference? Theoretically - no: the pillar is the old name of a word well known to us. But in fact, the difference between the two concepts is colossal: the pillar is just something long and dull, and the pillar is an architectural column, and a symbol of majestic, bright. It is possible to speak about outstanding people "pillars", it is possible about monuments.

A familiar term for the term Alexandrine Pillar, strictly speaking, is not correct: in fact, the name of the site is the Alexander Column. But the words that Pushkin threw up have sunk into the soul, and the informal name has taken hold. And because the view of the monument is quite consistent with the architectural definition of the pillar, and because the structure is really majestic.

Granite miracle

The Alexandrian column in St. Petersburg was erected in 1834, the place of its location is the Palace Square. Order the famous architect O. Montferrand himself made Emperor Nicholas I. This monument, executed in Empire style, was dedicated to the elder brother of the autocrat, Alexander I - the mastermind of the victory of the Russian Army over Napoleon.

Work on the project of the monument was not easy, various options were discussed. The task was formulated: to obtain a structure resembling the Trajan's column in Rome, but higher in height than the Vendôme in Paris. Such a narrow framework did not allow Monferrans to fully demonstrate their individuality, and the design of the monument easily guessed, albeit modified, but other people's ideas. And yet the monument is unique in its own way: it has become the highest among other triumphal structures in the world. The architect, refusing additional elements decorating a monolithic column 25.6 m high, emphasized the natural beauty of pink polished granite.

The total height of the building, together with the statue of an angel mounted on top, exceeds 47 meters. Such impressive dimensions do not allow us to examine in detail what the Alexandrian pillar represents. Photos, on the contrary, allow you to evaluate all the features of the monument, and in particular, the magnificent composition in its upper part.

About angels and eagles

The monument is not only an object of enthusiastic admiration, but also a complex engineering structure. And the column itself, and the crowning angel's monument of the work of B. Orlovsky are held without additional supports at the expense of their own gravity. Such an architectural decision for a long time aroused fears of citizens, who assumed that the monument would suddenly collapse. To dispel these fears, the architect began to walk in the morning right at the foot of the column.

The magnificent figure of the bronze angel deserves special attention. One hand is lifted up to heaven, in the other he holds a cross trampling the serpent. The statue should symbolize the peace that the Russian Army brought to Europe, liberating it from Napoleon. The appearance of the angel somewhat resembles the features of Emperor Alexander I.

The surroundings and fence of the monument are striking in sophistication and complexity of execution. The monument to the Alexandrian Pillar is surrounded by a 1.5-meter fence made of bronze, the author of the project was also Montferrand. The decoration of the fence served as two-headed and three-headed eagles present in considerable numbers, as well as trophy cannons. Unfortunately, in recent years, these magnificent birds have been "killed" in large numbers by the hands of the barbarian townspeople, and they are replaced by copies.

From the history of the monument

The Alexandrian Pillar was opened on August 30, 1834 (after five years of work). Installed in the heart of the Palace Square, the monument was the final touch in its design. The opening ceremony was attended by the entire royal family, led by the emperor, as well as numerous representatives of the diplomatic corps. At the foot of the monument there was a solemn divine service, a huge kneeling Russian army was built on the square.

The history of the pillar of Alexandria is rich in events. The monument survived and the revolution, and the war, and the rainy St. Petersburg climate. Of course, from time to time it is restored, but mostly the work is only cosmetic.

Monument and the USSR

The heaviest construction was in the first years of Soviet power. The space next to the monument was changed, the fence in the 30s of the last century was melted down to cartridges. Poorly combined with the principles of atheism, the angel before the holidays was closed with a red cap made of tarpaulins or masked with balloons descending from the dirigible.

They say that the question of changing a religious figure to a cult figure was repeatedly and seriously discussed (at first it was about Lenin, then about Stalin). But, fortunately, these ideas were never realized, and the angel takes his rightful place. The plans for replacing the bronze bas-reliefs of the pedestal with new ones, based on revolutionary themes, did not come into effect either. Later, the pillar of Alexandria received a fence carefully reconstructed from old photographs and historical materials. Her solemn performance took place in 2004.

Summer garden

Alexander column, though it is a kind of visiting card of the city, but there is something to look at besides it. Sights of St. Petersburg are able to amaze even the most sophisticated tourist. For example, the Summer Palace of Peter I. This is one of the oldest buildings in the city, made in the Baroque style and not at all like the royal abode. Peter, building the northern capital, dreamed of building a summer residence, reminiscent of Versailles. The famous architects and gardeners did not work in vain - the place where the palace complex (Summer Garden) is located is striking with its beauty and elegance. The park remains to this day the favorite place of rest for townspeople and the purpose of pilgrimage of numerous tourists.

Bronze Horseman

About this attraction, those who have never been to the city on the Neva, also know from the works of Pushkin. "On the shore of the desert waves he stood, the thoughts of the great are full" ... About whom are these words? About the man, the monument?

With the light hand of the great poet, the Copper Horseman was nicknamed one of several monuments in the city of Peter the Great. The monument is indeed similar to a copper one, although it is made of bronze. Its author is the French sculptor Falcone, who showed in his work a new and partly unexpected image of the founder of the city. Catherine II, who ordered a sculpture, wanted to see Peter look like a Roman emperor in his parade and with all the attributes of power. Falcone did his own thing. His Peter is a horseman on a stallion. According to the author's idea, a horse, covered with a bear's skin, and a serpent crushed by hooves is all ignorant and wild, but conquered by the emperor. The figure of Peter himself is an embodied power, a desire for progress and unshakableness in upholding his principles.

The Bronze Horseman is not just one of the many magnificent sights of the city. This figure is in its own way significant; About it is composed of many local tales and legends.

Hermitage

If you try to list at least the most famous sights of St. Petersburg, you can easily get confused with the names - there are too many of them. And yet there is a place in the city that any tourist should visit (about the townspeople there is no question at all - they should be here as often as possible). This is the Hermitage - the legendary art museum! The complex occupies 6 buildings, each of which is a historical monument, and the main one is the Winter Palace. The museum has about 3 million exhibits, including the immortal creations of Titian, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Raphael. List all the masterpieces stored here, it is impossible. But it's worth trying at least a part of them to look.

Cruiser Aurora"

This ship, staying in eternal parking near the city embankment, in the Soviet years, every child knew. "Aurora" - a battle cruiser, a participant in many heroic battles, was, however, known for other reasons. On October 25, 1917, a single shot at the Winter Palace, "Aurora" predetermined the fate of the revolution and the Russian Empire.

In the 70s of the last century, they liked to tell such an anecdote on Soviet kitchens. Brezhnev wakes up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, his wife is wondering what's the matter. The Secretary-General talks about his nightmare. Like, Lenin is swimming along the Moskva River on a boat, pokes a long stick to the bottom and says: "Here the Aurora will pass. And here too! "

Modern man makes no sense to the joke. But for those living in those years, "Aurora" was associated with the changes that society so craved, and so the power was afraid. Changes in the country really happened - though, a little later, and without ship volleys. The society is still divided by arguments, but was it necessary to do it? In general, for the "Aurora" just in case, look no harm!