Monument to Catherine II in St. Petersburg: description, photo

The idea to erect a monument to Catherine II in St. Petersburg came to the heads of the nobles and during her reign. Who, if not her? Against this was the queen herself. However, by the centenary of her accession to the throne (September 22, 1762), the idea began to be realized.

Age from idea to realization

The question of installing a monument to the Empress was raised in April 1863. The initiator was Baron Frederiks, the son of a Russian Count, baron, noble family. He was supported by all the estate departments of the City Duma and the United Commission on the benefits and needs of the public. The initiators proposed to establish a monument on Alexandrinsky Square between the Alexandrinsky Theater and the Public Library located in a building that belonged to the late queen. Until this time, the monument to Catherine II in St. Petersburg has not been established.

Project

In 1862 a competition was announced for the best project of the monument. It was won by artist and sculptor Mikhail Mikeshin, already known throughout the country thanks to the "Millennium of Russia" complex, erected on his project in Veliky Novgorod. His new work in the Rococo style was awarded in London at the World Exhibition of Medal of Honor. But the monument to Catherine II in St. Petersburg was originally planned for installation in Tsarskoye Selo. And for this M. Mikeeshenm was made in 1861 model. After the decision to install the structure in the city on the Neva in the layout, it was necessary to make changes, although the general idea remained the same. In 1864 a new figure was cast by master Sokolov. This model was later placed in the pavilion "Grotto" in Tsarskoe Selo.

A serious approach

General management of the work was entrusted to the architect DI Grimm, an academician, one of the founders of the "Russian style". Another architect, VA Shreter, and two sculptors, AM Opekushin (the author of the monument to Alexander Pushkin in Moscow) and MA Chizhov entered the monument building team. A little remodeled model of the monument received the highest approval. The work began. The figure of the empress, standing with a regal bearing and graciously smiling to the first faces of the state, was sculptured by Matvei Afanasyevich Chizhov. The monument to Catherine II in St. Petersburg reminds of the general outlines of the Millennium of Russia - the same form of bell, the central statue crowning the whole monument, at the foot of which are figures of important figures for the country. At the Catherine's obelisk they were sculpted by Opekushin Alexander Mikhailovich, and figures of the most prominent figures of the glorious epoch of the reign of Catherine the Great were at the "Nichols and Plinke" factory by the best masters-bronze casters.

In total, the monument to Catherine II in St. Petersburg (photo in the article) required 50.8 tons of bronze. This metal went to make a laurel wreath encircling the foot of the marble pedestal (marble was carried from the Karelian Isthmus), to the floor lamps of the candelabra of 4 lanterns located along the perimeter of the monument, and a board on which it is written that the monument is hoisted in the reign of Alexander II. The author of all the bronze details and the granite pedestal was Grimm DI. According to the drawings of his pupil Victor Schroeter, the ornamental details of the lanterns were made.

One queen in the sky

With the overall height of the monument at 10 meters, the figure of Catherine II herself is 4.35 meters. The Empress is portrayed with piety - she is not a despot, she is the mother of power. Majestic, but affectionate, wisely ruling the country. In her hands is a scepter, and instead of a power - a laurel wreath, which symbolizes not only power, but glory. After all, all Europe knew that the Russian Empress was a wise and enlightened woman. On the regal shoulders, an ermine robe is thrown over - one of the regalia of power. The second - the Crown of the Russian Empire - lies at her feet. On the chest of Catherine II is another symbol of royal power - a diamond sign on the chain and the star of the Order of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, established by Peter I.

The good companions of the cohort ...

The merciful queen smiles to her nobles who have done everything for the greatness of Russia during her reign. Who are these people whom the whole country knew, not just St. Petersburg? The monument to Catherine II immortalized their names.

Face to the Nevsky Prospekt are the figures of Peter Rumyantsev-Zvdunaysky, who ruled under Catherine Malorossia, the most brilliant prince George Alexandrovich Potemkin-Tavrichesky, who took Ochakov and annexed Russia to Novorossia. Legendary Generalissimo Alexander Suvorov - the third figure in the group. All of them contributed to the expansion of the borders of the Russian Empire. As you move towards Anichkov Palace , the figures of the poet Gavriil Derzhavin and Ekaterina Dashkova, the president of the Russian Academy, have made their contribution to the formation of a great power. Further, the prince Alexander Bezborodko and Ivan Betskoi, the president of the Academy of Arts, headed the entire foreign policy of the state. They are directed towards the Public Library (St. Petersburg). Monument to Catherine II is complemented by two more figures, located opposite the Alexandrinsky Theater. This fleet commander Vasily Chichagov, polar explorer, and the legendary Alexei Orlov-Chesmensky.

The day of Russia's military glory is July 7, when the Russian fleet under the command of Alexei Orlov won a brilliant victory over the Turks in the battle of Chesma. These are really the best people of their time, and no city legends will diminish their merits, as the significance of Great Catherine will not be diminished by the familiar name of the surrounding monument to the square - "Katkin Garden."

Legends of the central tourist attraction

One of the most famous landmarks of our country is the monument to Catherine II in St. Petersburg. The description can be continued with some statistical data. He managed the state in 316 thousand rubles. The opening ceremony and release of commemorative medals increased this amount to 456 896 rubles. The monument was erected over 10 years. Legends surround him, as, in fact, and any attraction. One of them is connected with the moment of the beginning of construction - following the example of one hysterically enthusiastic lady who tore off a ring from her finger and threw a ring into the foundation pit, some other women did it. Well, how many of them should have been so that in the heads of the Petersburgers a legend about "untold treasures", buried at the foot of the monument, was born. By the way, in the piles during the construction were mounted samples of gold and silver coins of the rulers of Russia?

Monument to Catherine 2 in St. Petersburg, whose address: Central District, Nevsky Prospect, 56, is located in the historic center of the city. Nearby are Catherine Square and the Alexandrinsky Theater. It can be easily reached by public transport, you need to go to the metro station "Gostiny Dvor".