The Vendome Column in Paris. Photo, description

The Vendome Column in the French capital, Paris, was opened in August 1810. Designed as Austerlitz. Later it was called the "Column of Victories". The story goes: originally his Italian victories Napoleon I Bonaparte intended to perpetuate in an unusual way. He swung to transport from Rome a structure that symbolized Trajan's victory over the dacians. What was the fate of the country's landmarks, where the revolutions were always a matter of custom?

On the site of the palace of the Duke of Wandome

When assessing the cost of transportation, the emperor, apparently, came to the conclusion: the ovchinka is not worth the candle - and went the other way. On January 1, 1806, the light saw a decree on the beginning of the construction of a new memorial sign (architects JB Leper and J. Gonduin), 44 meters in height and 3.67 meters wide at the base.

The Vendome Column has an interesting history. It is placed on a square founded where the palace of the Duke of Vendôme once stood (César de Vendome is the illegitimate son of Henry IV the Great). One of the five Parisian spaces dedicated to Louis XIV, was previously adorned with a statue of the Sun King on a dashing horse that was destroyed in the heat of the revolutionary battles of the eighteenth century.

Other times came, they brought other symbols. Recall, a rectangular and then octagonal architectural ensemble of the era of classicism changed the names more than once: the area of the Conquests, Louis the Great, the Peak (on which exhibited their trophies Robespierre), International. Now this is Vendome Square.

Only liquidation!

In the years of the burning declaration of international unity, the revolutionary workers' government decided to end the glorification of the tyrant and the incendiary of the wars of Napoleon. The Vendome column (photo above) lived out the last hours. It was solemnly destroyed on May 16 (not long before, on May 5, it was 50 years since the death of Napoleon). People were told to understand: the Paris Commune does not intend to return to the old society.

For a decisive step in the demolition, a certain political courage was required: one third of the country was occupied by a hostile army, the cult of Bonapartism (especially among the peasants) remained powerful, the bourgeoisie considered the Napoleonic wars a guarantee of France's might.

The author of the hard decree was the cultural commissioner, painter Gustav Courbet. Initially, he suggested moving the statue to a deserted place, but it was not supported. The press approved and widely covered the act of public overthrow. Everything went to the fact that the symbol of "brute force and false glory" comes to an end. And he came.

Do I have to carry everything to the bottom?

Soon the revolutionary regime fell. Courbet was accused of destroying the national shrine, which was the Vendome Column. The commissar escaped execution, but the court ordered the cultural figure to make up for the costs (pay vandalism). Gustav fled to Switzerland. His property was arrested and sold. In 1875 the monument again rushed to the sky. It is known that the debt was paid by a painter. He died in poverty.

It should be noted that cases of destruction of monuments reflecting events of the past, many people regard negatively. They believe that the milestones of the development of countries and continents should not be destroyed. This approach allows different generations of earthmen to more accurately compose a picture of the development of the world. Perhaps they are right.

Yes, the Vendome column has a dramatic history. It makes sense to study it in more detail. So, the pillar (bronze trunk) was cast from 1200 Austrian and Russian cannons captured during the battle of Austerlitz (known as the "battle of three emperors" - French Napoleon, Austrian Franz II, Russian Alexander I).

Take off your figure! The power has changed!

The triumphal trunk was installed on the pedestal, left from the monument to the King of the Sun. The Roman column of Trajan was based on the idea. 76 bas-reliefs have spiraled into the sky. Slightly protruding from the surface of the image on the plane displayed Austerlitz victories.

An internal staircase led up to the platform where the statue of Napoleon was adorned. Bonaparte was depicted in the toga of the Roman emperor. His head was adorned with a laurel wreath (author sculptors - Antoine Chaudet). Four years later (1814), Paris was seized by its allies.

Returning Bourbons sent the image to the melting furnace, hoisting the symbol of victory - a white flag with lilies. In the process of remelting, "appeared" the bronze king Henry IV. In 1818, the statue was installed on the New Bridge.

The human race will rise

In 1830, the July Revolution arrived in time . The Vendome Column in Paris has once again changed. On the orders of King Louis Philip I on the platform in the skies, Napoleon was again installed. But already without a wreath and toga, but in a familiar triangle hat and officer uniform (the sculptor is Georges-Pierre Suret).

The next "somersault" occurred in 1863. By order of Napoleon III, the original was transferred to the territory of the complex built under Louis XIV for the stay there of distinguished army veterans (the House of the Disabled). A copy was made to the unforgettable "summit".

As they would say in Russia, the descendant of the Bonapartes seemed to look into the water. It was the very same year of 1871, and under the Marseillaise the last and decisive battle was given to the bronze tyrant. Podpilennaya at the base and the displaced column of Vendome Square fell off the ground.

The symbol of tyranny did not succumb for long. The cables were broken, the winches were broken. Finally the trunk bent and fell. People rushed to parse a miracle for souvenirs. The fate of the Victory figurine is sad. It coexisted with the statue of Napoleon I, survived the overthrow of 1814. Then she disappeared.

In a joke and in earnest

After 4 years, the Vendome Column again revived in its place. There it stands to this day, surrounded by bright and strict buildings. In safety and the house of the Duke of Vendôme. Monuments of architecture make the image of a rich area of historical events in the French capital even more impressive.

Napoleon I again appears to the world in the form of a Roman emperor, as was originally conceived. Some travelers joke: since the column is cast from Prussian and Russian cannons, countries have the right to demand their share of bronze. Already seriously, tourists note: the rapid flow of revolutionary events has not overshadowed the active civil position of the French.

Every time after the overthrow of the memorial sign, the military leader who died in 1821 again found himself in his "rightful place". The Vendome column in Paris is like a Phoenix reborn from the ashes. Perhaps in Russia it would be worthwhile to apply this practice? It makes no sense every time to "irretrievably" erase the past.