Tribute to the historical past is largely carried out through such architectural objects of cultural purpose as monuments. In our country there is a sufficient number of such structures that are heard by all residents of our country. Such historical monuments include the monument "The Bronze Horseman", 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 among netizens related to who is depicted on it, where this monument is located, and when and by whom it was erected. It is important to note that the Bronze Horseman is an important attraction not only in the Northern capital, but throughout the country. It depicts Peter the Great with a wreath on his head and astride a horse, 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 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: "To Peter the Great From Catherine the Second Summer of 1782." It was Catherine the Great who thus captured forever for posterity the personality of the great reformer and founder of the city on the Neva. The height of the Bronze Horseman monument is five meters, and its weight is eight tons.
History of the Bronze Horseman monument
By order of the empress, Alexander Mikhailovich Golitsyn began negotiations with Didro and Voltaire regarding the implementation of such an ambitious architectural project for Russia at that time, related to the construction of the Bronze Horseman monument. Dear people of the time, whom Catherine the Great herself certainly trusted, recommended Etienne-Maurice Falcone. This sculptor dreamed of creating something similar and majestic that could glorify his name for centuries. Therefore, the proposal was received by him with great enthusiasm.
Falconet 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. And later, an experienced architect Felten was appointed assistant to the French sculptor. Immediately the question was sharply raised about the foundation of the monument, which, according to the plan, was to be a huge stone. This issue was resolved by publishing a thematic announcement in the newspaper St. Petersburg Vedomosti.
A suitable block for the historical monument was provided by Grigory Vishnyakov, who for a long time tried to use it for his own needs. But after unsuccessful attempts related to the lack of the necessary tool for processing, and, of course, due to patriotic impulses, he gave it to professional architects.
By the way, the stone weighed two and a half thousand tons, and therefore it was delivered in the winter, when the frozen soil could withstand such a heavy load. The stone delivery operation was completed on March 27, 1770. By the way, the transportation of such a voluminous and heavy object is today an absolute record for mankind.
Preparation and installation of the monument
Already in 1769, the public was presented a plaster version of the monument to Peter the Great. Now it was necessary to cast metal. Since Falcone had not yet encountered such work, the sculptor Ersman was involved in the production of this stage of the construction of the monument, which subsequently did not meet the expectations placed on him. And Falconet independently set about mastering a new craft for himself. The first casting was made in 1775, and then casting followed in the period 1776-1777. Catherine the Second herself very closely followed the work.
Only the second casting was successful. Then Falconet in the cloak of the Bronze Horseman made a historical inscription: "Etienne Falcone, Parisian sculpted and cast."
Since by the time the monument was erected at an eleven-meter height “thunder-stone”, which served as a pedestal, the relationship between Falcone and Catherine the Second had completely deteriorated, and the French master was forced to return to Paris, then he completed the architectural work of Fedor Gordeev. 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, fought against the French, Alexander the First, fearing the enemy’s invasion of the capital, ordered the evacuation of the country's cultural heritage, including the Bronze Horseman monument, located 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 had dreamed for several days in a row. It seemed to him that the major was on Senate Square, and the monument to Peter the Great turned his head and strictly advised him not to be transported from the city under any circumstances. He explained that he would protect Petersburg from the enemy, and then he would not touch him. 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 Pavel the First is also known, when, while he was not yet emperor, he walked around evening Petersburg. The figure of Peter the Great in a cloak and hat said then: "Paul, I am the one who takes part in you!" It was noteworthy that, leaving the Senate Square, where an amazing meeting of the two crowned people of the empire took place, the epic emperor promised that he would see him again here.
It is clear that the historical heritage in the form of the monument "The Bronze Horseman" had multiple responses in the works of art of various genres and authors. So, F.M. Dostoevsky in the novel "The Teenager", mystic Andreev in "The Rose of the World", A.S. Pushkin in the legendary eponymous work, as well as many artists at different times found inspiration in this historical monument.
