М. Е. Ткаченко Obelisk

Across the vast expanse of Vasilyevsky Island, a towering sentinel stands guard. This is the Rumyantsev Obelisk. A silent witness to the ebb and flow of history, the Rumyantsev Obelisk stands as a testament to the triumphs of Field Marshal Pyotr Rumyantsev. This monument, conceived during the reign of Catherine the Great, was brought to fruition by her son, Paul I, in 1799. Originally intended for the Tsaritsyn Meadow (later the Field of Mars), the Rumyantsev Obelisk embarked on a journey of its own. Relocated twice, it finally found its home on Vasilyevsky Island in 1818. The Rumyantsev Obelisk, a tribute to military prowess, was designed by Vincenzo Brenna. The obelisk’s construction is a fascinating blend of materials. The obelisk and its base are crafted from sturdy Serdobolsky granite. The pedestal showcases a delicate balance of pink Tivdia and gray Raskolsky marble. The intricate friezes and bas-reliefs, carved from white Italian marble, depict military trophies and bronze garlands, celebrating Rumyantsev’s victories. Atop the obelisk, a gilded ball supports a majestic eagle with outstretched wings, a symbol of Russia’s power and reach. The Rumyantsev Obelisk isn’t merely a monolith of stone and metal. It’s a story etched in granite. The inscription on the black marble plaque affixed to the pedestal simply states “Rumyantsev’s victories”. A concise yet powerful declaration of the man’s accomplishments in the Russo-Turkish Wars. The square surrounding the Rumyantsev Obelisk, once known as Shevchenko Square, reclaimed its original name, Rumyantsev Square, in 2001. Now adorned with gardens designed by Nikolai Kovrigin, the square offers a serene setting for this imposing monument. The Rumyantsev Obelisk is more than a monument. It’s a symbol of Russian military history, a testament to the enduring legacy of Pyotr Rumyantsev.