Tribute to the historical past is largely carried out through such architectural cultural objects as monuments. In our country there is a sufficient number of such structures that are heard by all residents of our country. These historical monuments include the Bronze Horseman monument, information about which will be informative for any person.
It is surprising that such an important historical monument as the "Bronze Horseman" raises a lot of questions from Internet users related to who is depicted on it, where this monument is located, as well as when and by whom it was erected. It is important to note that the Bronze Horseman is an important landmark not only in the Northern capital, but throughout the country. It depicts Peter the Great with a wreath on his head and on horseback, personifying the rapid development of Russia. Under the leadership of the great Russian tsar-commander, who was also a real legislator, our country became not just a European power, but also a real empire, whose borders and power were rapidly expanding in the two parts of the world.
The uniqueness of the monument also lies in the fact that it was erected on three pillars. The historical monument is an architectural heritage of the late 18th century, as evidenced by the inscription: "Peter the Great From Catherine II in the summer of 1782". It was Catherine the Great who thus imprinted forever for posterity the personality of the great reformer and founder of the city on the Neva. The Bronze Horseman monument is five meters high and weighs eight tons.
History of the Bronze Horseman monument
By order of the Empress, Alexander Mikhailovich Golitsyn began to negotiate with Diderot and Voltaire about the implementation of such a large-scale architectural project for Russia at that time, associated with the construction of the Bronze Horseman monument. Dear people of her time, whom Catherine II herself undoubtedly trusted, recommended Etienne-Maurice Falcone. This sculptor dreamed of creating something similar and majestic, which could glorify his name for centuries. Therefore, the proposal was received by him with great enthusiasm.
Falcone arrived in Russia with seventeen-year-old design assistant Marie-Anne Collot. Interestingly, the master agreed to a rather modest payment for his services, which amounted to only two hundred thousand livres. Later, the experienced architect Felten was appointed an assistant to the French sculptor. The question was immediately raised about the foundation of the monument, which, according to the plan, was to become a huge stone. This issue was resolved by publishing a classified announcement in the Sankt-Peterburgskie Vedomosti newspaper.
A suitable block for a historical monument was provided by Grigory Vishnyakov, who for a long time tried to use it for his own needs. But after unsuccessful attempts due to the lack of the necessary tool for processing, and, of course, due to patriotic motives, he gave it to professional architects.
By the way, the stone weighed two and a half thousand tons, and therefore its delivery was carried out in winter, when the frozen soil could withstand such a heavy load. The operation to deliver the stone was completed on March 27, 1770. By the way, the transportation of such a voluminous and heavy object today is an absolute record for mankind.
Preparation and installation of the monument
Already in 1769, a plaster version of the monument to Peter the Great was presented to the public. Now it was necessary to make a metal casting. Since Falcone had not yet encountered such a work, the sculptor Ersman was involved in the production of this stage of manufacturing the monument, who subsequently did not justify the hopes placed on him. And Falcone independently set about mastering a new craft for himself. The first casting was made in 1775, and then castings followed in the period 1776-1777. Catherine II herself very closely followed the work.
Only the second casting was successful. Then Falconet made a historical inscription in the inner part of the Bronze Horseman's cloak: “Sculpted and cast by Etienne Falcone, Parisian”.
Since by the time the monument was erected at a height of 11 meters, the "thunder-stone" that served as a pedestal for him, the relationship between Falconet and Catherine II had completely deteriorated, and the French master was forced to return to Paris, Fyodor Gordeev finished his architectural work. The opening of the monument took place without its real creator and in the presence of the Empress on August 7, 1782.
Famous people about the monument
Interestingly, in 1812, when the Russian army led by Kutuzov was fighting the French, Alexander the First, fearing an enemy invasion of the capital, ordered the evacuation of the country's cultural heritage, including the Bronze Horseman monument on Senate Square. Legend has it that a certain Major Baturin, who achieved a personal audience with Prince Golitsyn, told him his dream, which he dreamed for several days in a row. It dreamed that the major was on Senate Square, and the monument to Peter the Great turned its head towards him and strictly admonished that under no circumstances should he be transported out of the city. He explained that he would protect Petersburg from the enemy, and then he would not touch it. The vision was immediately retold to the emperor, and although he was quite surprised, he canceled the order to evacuate the Bronze Horseman.
The story that happened to Paul the First is also known, when he, not yet being an emperor, walked around the evening Petersburg. The figure of Peter the Great in a cloak and hat said then: "Pavel, I am the one who takes part in you!" It was noteworthy that, leaving Senate Square, where an amazing meeting of two crowned people of the empire took place, the epic emperor promised that he would see him here again.
It is quite obvious that the historical heritage in the form of the Bronze Horseman monument had multiple responses in works of art of various genres and authors. So, F. M. Dostoevsky in the novel "Teenager", the mystic Andreev in "The Rose of the World", A. S. Pushkin in the legendary work of the same name, as well as many artists at different times, found inspiration in this historical monument.
Interesting Facts
A completely unexpected reflection was found in the Bronze Horseman monument in the state coins of the Soviet period. During the reign of M. S. Gorbachev in 1988, the Bank of the USSR unexpectedly expressed its readiness to join the historical heritage of our country in the form of the image of Peter the Great on five-ruble coins. These exclusive coins were issued in a circulation of 2.3 million copies, and their weight was twenty grams. This case became unique for the country and for the Bronze Horseman, since domestic history no longer knows examples of minting coins depicting this historical monument.
Popular rumor carefully preserves interesting myths and legends associated with this monument.
There is a legend that Peter the Great often jumped across the Neva, saying three times "All of God and mine." And when he was overwhelmed by pride, and he said "All mine and God's", then instantly petrified in the form of "Bronze Horseman" on Senate Square.
Another myth. Lying in bed, the emperor suddenly realized that the Swedes were heading for Petersburg. Without thinking twice, he jumped on his horse and rushed towards them. However, when he was galloping through the Senate Square, he met a snake on the way, because of which he froze in the form of the "Bronze Horseman". By the way, it is believed that the snake saved his life in this case.
The next legend says that only the patronage of Peter the Great was able to protect the city on the Neva during the military campaign of 1812-1814.
