“Behold,” Empress Catherine II declared, “a tribute to Peter the Great!” We stand before the Bronze Horseman, an iconic symbol of St. Petersburg. Catherine the Great, a German princess by birth, commissioned this monument to solidify her connection to Russian monarchs. The inscription, “Petro Primo Catharina Secunda,” translates to “To Peter the First from Catherine the Second.” This powerful statement affirms her respect for Peter the Great and his legacy. The Bronze Horseman, sculpted by Etienne Maurice Falconet, depicts Peter not as a tsar, but as a Roman hero. The red granite pedestal, shaped like a cliff, further elevates Peter’s image. He guides Russia forward, his horse triumphantly trampling a snake. This snake represents the enemies of Peter and his reforms. A 19th-century legend proclaims that St. Petersburg will remain unconquered as long as the Bronze Horseman stands. This belief held true even during the Siege of Leningrad. The statue, protected by sandbags and wood, survived the 900-day siege virtually unscathed. The Bronze Horseman stands as a testament to Peter the Great’s vision and Catherine the Great’s reverence for his legacy. This monument has not only inspired artists and writers, but has also become a powerful emblem of St. Petersburg’s resilience.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to