Field of Mars

From a swampy wasteland to a place of honor and remembrance, the Field of Mars in Saint Petersburg has witnessed centuries of change. The Field of Mars initially served as a buffer zone, separating the imperial Summer Garden from the developing city. Peter the Great transformed this marshland. He ordered canals dug, draining the land and creating a rectangular space known as the “Empty Meadow” or “Great Meadow”. It became a venue for military parades, festivals, and even hosted the royal menagerie. Imagine the exotic sights and sounds of an elephant housed right here on the Field of Mars. Over time, the area gained popularity amongst the nobility, with prominent figures building townhouses along its edges. Empresses Anna and Elizabeth further refined it. They commissioned the construction of Summer Palaces and transformed the meadow into a pleasure garden called the “Tsaritsyn Meadow”, complete with pavilions and walkways. Theatres graced the land, hosting Russia’s first opera house and even performances of plays written by Catherine the Great herself. Military displays gradually overtook leisurely pursuits. Monuments honoring military leaders like Alexander Suvorov were erected. The Tsaritsyn Meadow, echoing the Campus Martius in Rome and Champ de Mars in Paris, was renamed the Field of Mars in 1805, solidifying its martial identity. The Field of Mars became the city’s primary parade ground. It hosted grand reviews of the Guard Corps and commemorations of significant military victories. The pomp and circumstance of these events filled this very space. But the 20th century brought revolution. The Field of Mars became the final resting place for victims of the February Revolution. The Monument to the Fighters of the Revolution was erected in their honor, and for a time, the square was renamed “Victims of the Revolution Square.” Even during the dark days of the Siege of Leningrad, life found a way. The Field of Mars was converted into vegetable gardens to help feed the besieged city. Anti-aircraft batteries stood watch, defending against the relentless bombardment. The eternal flame, first lit in 1957, now burns brightly in the center of the Field of Mars. It serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during times of war and upheaval. This flame, a symbol of enduring remembrance, was even used to light the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. Today, the Field of Mars stands not just as a testament to a tumultuous past, but as a vibrant public space, a place for gatherings and expressions of civic sentiment. From “Empty Meadow” to revolutionary pantheon and now a place of contemplation and remembrance, the Field of Mars continues to evolve, its history etched into the very ground we stand on.