Here stands the Monument to Peter I. It is located in the Peter and Paul Fortress. The monument is a bronze statue by Mihail Chemiakin. Have you noticed its rather unusual appearance?
The Monument to Peter I was designed and cast in the United States in the 1980s. Chemiakin donated it to the city. It was installed in June 1991. The monument is 1.90 meters tall. It sits on a granite base. The base is 0.36 meters high. It depicts Peter sitting on a throne. It resembles the wax figure of Peter by Carlo Bartolomeo Rastrelli from 1725.
Chemiakin used a life mask of Peter’s face. Rastrelli took it in 1719. That was six years before Peter’s death. This fact is mentioned at the base. But Chemiakin enlarged Peter’s other body parts. He presented Peter in a grotesque manner. Locals initially criticized the statue. It had to be guarded to prevent vandalism. Later, Chemiakin’s view became gradually accepted.
Chemiakin worked on the statue for eight years. He made three versions. Two others are in Normandy and Claverack, New York. Chemiakin said the idea came from his friend Vladimir Vysotsky. Chemiakin started with the 1:1 proportions of Rastrelli’s wax figure. But he elongated the body. He approached the style of Russian icons.
Saint Petersburg is a city of art and history. It was founded by Peter the Great. He wanted to create a window to Europe. The city is often called the Venice of the North. This is because of its canals and bridges.
Saint Petersburg is home to the Hermitage Museum. It is one of the largest art museums in the world. The city has more than 200 palaces and mansions. During summer, Saint Petersburg experiences the White Nights. The sun barely sets.
The Peter and Paul Fortress is the birthplace of the city. Nevsky Prospekt is the city’s main avenue. The Saint Petersburg Metro is an architectural marvel.
Interestingly, Saint Petersburg used to be called Leningrad. After World War I, the name was changed to Petrograd. This sounded less Germanic. After the socialist revolution, it was renamed Leningrad. It honored Vladimir Lenin. The name finally reverted to Saint Petersburg after the fall of the Soviet Union.
St. Petersburg survived a siege during World War II. German forces surrounded the city. People were starving and freezing. Millions of civilians died. But they protected their city.
The Monument to Peter I is an important landmark. It reflects the city’s complex history. It shows the vision of its founder. It also demonstrates the artistic interpretations that shape a city’s identity. It invites us to consider the different ways history can be portrayed.