The Bronze Horseman is one of the most beautiful monuments in St. Petersburg Russia. This statue of Peter the Great on a horseback is located in Ploschad Dekabristov on the Senate Square. The statue faces the Neva River with the admiralty, Senate, the Synod building and the Isaac’s Cathedral in the vicinity. The Bronze Horseman was made during the year 1768-82 as a tribute paid by the Empress Catherine the Great to the former Russian King and founder of St. Petersburg.
The Bronze Horseman: Making of the Statue
The crafting and designing of the Bronze Horseman was undertaken by a French artist named Etienne-Maurice Falconet. Falconet has tried to portray Peter the Great as a great Roman hero. Peter’s head was crafted by Marie Colot, a student and mistress of
|
Falconet. Empress Catherine the Great was by birth a German princess. Hence, the words “To Peter the First from Catherine the Second” are inscribed on the monument in Russian as well as in Latin language. The statue, built out of red granite is cut from one single block. The galloping horse suggests that Peter led Russia to move forward. The horse trampling on a snake represents Peter’s enemies and his efforts to make changes.
Legend of The Bronze Horseman
According to myth that started during the 19th century, it is said that the statue restricted the enemies from attacking and capturing the city of St. Petersburg. The statue was highly protected during the World War II by covering it with bags of sand and a shelter made of wood. Thus the monument still survives today and stands as an example of the great architectural beauty of the past.
|
