Alexander Column, probably, can be considered the center of St. Petersburg. It was built in 1834 by the design of Auguste Montferrand, in honor of Alexander's victory over Napoleon. The architect inspired the analogy with the columns of Antoninus and Trajan in Italy, Vendôme in France and Pompeii in Alexandria. The construction of the column began in 1829.
In the same place, the main part of the column was mined - a monolith. For its transportation, even a special bot-barge was built, called "Saint Nicholas".
After the delivery of the base and the monolith, installation of the pedestal and calculations, it was possible to put a column in the center of the Dvortcovaya (Palace) Square.
For this purpose, an original hoisting system was designed, which included scaffolding, 60 installation cables and a block system. After the installation of the scaffolding and the completion of all the preparatory work, the architect appointed the day of the solemn erection of the column
It happened on August 30, 1832, a lot of people came to this event. Almost everything was occupied, also the emperor and the whole imperial family
The installation of the column required the power of two thousand soldiers and four hundred workers, which in about 1 hour and 45 minutes will remove it. People immediately loudly shouted "Hooray!"
After installing the column, people were afraid that it would fall, so they tried not to approach it. Montferrand, trying to prove that he was right in his calculations, spent a very long time walking with his dog under the column.
In the same place, the main part of the column was mined - a monolith. For its transportation, even a special bot-barge was built, called "Saint Nicholas".
After the delivery of the base and the monolith, installation of the pedestal and calculations, it was possible to put a column in the center of the Dvortcovaya (Palace) Square.
For this purpose, an original hoisting system was designed, which included scaffolding, 60 installation cables and a block system. After the installation of the scaffolding and the completion of all the preparatory work, the architect appointed the day of the solemn erection of the column
It happened on August 30, 1832, a lot of people came to this event. Almost everything was occupied, also the emperor and the whole imperial family
The installation of the column required the power of two thousand soldiers and four hundred workers, which in about 1 hour and 45 minutes will remove it. People immediately loudly shouted "Hooray!"
After installing the column, people were afraid that it would fall, so they tried not to approach it. Montferrand, trying to prove that he was right in his calculations, spent a very long time walking with his dog under the column.
The cabin is not only the first buiilding in the city, but also is the fastest. The foundation of it took just 3 days. Soldiers, building a cabin, started it on May 24 and finished on May 26 of 1703. Next day - creation of the city was celebrated here.
The cabin is made of wood and the total area of this building is just about 60 squared meters. Peter the Great was living here from 1703 to 1708 only for the summers, because there’s no heating system. The location provides a view to any noticable building around it, like bastions and etc.
When Winter and Summer palaces were completed, Peter leaved that cabin and never came back. In 1903 there was a museum opened here with the real things of Peter I and the decoration of his era.
For some reason, there is a nameplate on the right wall, which is made from bronze. It says «2 meters and 4 centimeters» - that's the height of Peter the Great.
The cabin is made of wood and the total area of this building is just about 60 squared meters. Peter the Great was living here from 1703 to 1708 only for the summers, because there’s no heating system. The location provides a view to any noticable building around it, like bastions and etc.
When Winter and Summer palaces were completed, Peter leaved that cabin and never came back. In 1903 there was a museum opened here with the real things of Peter I and the decoration of his era.
For some reason, there is a nameplate on the right wall, which is made from bronze. It says «2 meters and 4 centimeters» - that's the height of Peter the Great.
In XVIII century there was a wasteland on the left of Summer Garden, which was called ‘Amusement Field’, and then it was renamed into the ‘Tsarina’s Meadow’. «Amusement» came from the «amusing lights» which were kindling on holidays.
Initially, Peter the Great was breeding exotic animals here, and behind the cages there were inpenetrable swamp, but after the drying, the field became usable by the militaries.
There were the military parades goes on here, so from 1798 a few memorials were installed here to the honor of great commanders - Rumyancev and Suvorov. Rumyancev’s memorial was moved to Vasilyevsky island in 1818 and then that place was rename to «the Field of Mars».
In 1981, the Field was renamed to «the Field of Revolution’s Victims», because the victims of Febrary’s Revolution were buried here. (and then, when USSR collapsed, it was renamed back).
Nowadays, people turned this place into an popular place of demonstations, opposition rallies and etc.
Initially, Peter the Great was breeding exotic animals here, and behind the cages there were inpenetrable swamp, but after the drying, the field became usable by the militaries.
There were the military parades goes on here, so from 1798 a few memorials were installed here to the honor of great commanders - Rumyancev and Suvorov. Rumyancev’s memorial was moved to Vasilyevsky island in 1818 and then that place was rename to «the Field of Mars».
In 1981, the Field was renamed to «the Field of Revolution’s Victims», because the victims of Febrary’s Revolution were buried here. (and then, when USSR collapsed, it was renamed back).
Nowadays, people turned this place into an popular place of demonstations, opposition rallies and etc.
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Kunstkammer (cabinet of curiosities) / Кунсткамера
A bit history…
The word «Kunstkammer» came to Russian from German language, where it means rare art, scientific and other collections. In XVI-XVII centuries reach people loved to collect expensive and interesting stuff, so they were making special rooms or buildings to storage the exhibits.
In 1697, Peter the Great went to a diplomatic mission in Europe («the Great Embassy»). There, he learned about the modern science at those times - the Anatomy and was excited to see how the human being is organized and how its body works. Also, some collections were shown to Peter and he bought some interesting exhibites to Saint-Petersburg’s Kunstkammer. The Kunstkammer was located in Human Chambers at the Summer Palace.
From every journey, Peter brought new showpieces to the Kunstkammer, so he decided to make a new building to contain all of that stuff. The building was called "Chambers of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, the Library and the Kunstkamera» and was building from 1718 to 1734, by an architector Mattarnovi. And nowadays, it’s a museum in there.
… and a city legends
A legend says that some day Peter the Great had seen a couple of phenomenal pine-trees, fused by branches. He ordered to make a building at that place and to add pine-trees in as an exhibiit.
Another legend is about a 2-meters tall sceleton, whose skull was stolen somehow. The guards said that they saw a ghost of the skull, which was yelling all the time. It was stopped when somebody figured out to attach another skull to the sceleton’s body - then the ghost has disappeared.
The word «Kunstkammer» came to Russian from German language, where it means rare art, scientific and other collections. In XVI-XVII centuries reach people loved to collect expensive and interesting stuff, so they were making special rooms or buildings to storage the exhibits.
In 1697, Peter the Great went to a diplomatic mission in Europe («the Great Embassy»). There, he learned about the modern science at those times - the Anatomy and was excited to see how the human being is organized and how its body works. Also, some collections were shown to Peter and he bought some interesting exhibites to Saint-Petersburg’s Kunstkammer. The Kunstkammer was located in Human Chambers at the Summer Palace.
From every journey, Peter brought new showpieces to the Kunstkammer, so he decided to make a new building to contain all of that stuff. The building was called "Chambers of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, the Library and the Kunstkamera» and was building from 1718 to 1734, by an architector Mattarnovi. And nowadays, it’s a museum in there.
… and a city legends
A legend says that some day Peter the Great had seen a couple of phenomenal pine-trees, fused by branches. He ordered to make a building at that place and to add pine-trees in as an exhibiit.
Another legend is about a 2-meters tall sceleton, whose skull was stolen somehow. The guards said that they saw a ghost of the skull, which was yelling all the time. It was stopped when somebody figured out to attach another skull to the sceleton’s body - then the ghost has disappeared.
During the reign of Nikolai I, there was a “Egyptopathy” in Europe. Egyptopathy is the fascination with ancient Egyptian culture, objects and way of life. Some day Russian traveler and writer A. Muraviev went to Alexandria, where two sphinxes were exhibited (they were found in 1820 in Fiva). Muraviev was very excited, so he decided that they must be installed in Saint-Petersburg as a decoration. He wrote a letter for a Russian ambassador immediately, but because of bureaucracy, decision took too much time, so sphinxes were sold to France. But because of the revolution in France, Paris had to decline this order - and Muraviev finally bought it. The journey home took almost an year and then sphinxes were installed to Universitetskaya (University) embankment.
The city legend
Locals say that sphinxes can change their faces, showing different expressions. This could be explained by the fact that those sphinxes were the guards of the pyramid of Amenhotep III. And because of they were moved to Saint-Petersburg against their willing, they are expressing dissatisfaction.
The city legend
Locals say that sphinxes can change their faces, showing different expressions. This could be explained by the fact that those sphinxes were the guards of the pyramid of Amenhotep III. And because of they were moved to Saint-Petersburg against their willing, they are expressing dissatisfaction.
Bronze Horseman - one of the most famous showpieces of Saint-Petersburg. It’s illustrated on the countless cards, coins, magnets and clothes.
The monument was opened in 1782, so since that time it managed to get a bunch of legends around thyself.
Ghost of Peter the Great
Some night Pavel ‘I’ was walking with his friend Kurakin and he saw a strange man, rolled in the raincoat. When they overtook him, he started to walk with them. Pavel said to Kurakin - “somebody’s following us”, but it turns out that Kurakin didn’t see anything. Then ghost said “Pavel! Darling! I am the one who is participating you...” (some untranslatable old-style phrase, maybe interpreted as “we are relatives” or “I’m taking a part in your life”), then he guide them to the center of Senatskaya square and said “Goodbye, Pavel! You will see me again here.”. Somewhen later Pavel got an invitation to opening ceremony of Peter the Great’s monument, installed right on the place shown by the ghost.
A rock-wave
Architector Falkone wanted to show that Russia is maritime state, so he searched for a big rock similar to sea wave. The search was going for a few years, until one ‘holy fool’ found an ideal rock in Lakhta. Locals said that Peter the Greate was personally climbing on this rock to view the territories in the days of North War.
The monument was opened in 1782, so since that time it managed to get a bunch of legends around thyself.
Ghost of Peter the Great
Some night Pavel ‘I’ was walking with his friend Kurakin and he saw a strange man, rolled in the raincoat. When they overtook him, he started to walk with them. Pavel said to Kurakin - “somebody’s following us”, but it turns out that Kurakin didn’t see anything. Then ghost said “Pavel! Darling! I am the one who is participating you...” (some untranslatable old-style phrase, maybe interpreted as “we are relatives” or “I’m taking a part in your life”), then he guide them to the center of Senatskaya square and said “Goodbye, Pavel! You will see me again here.”. Somewhen later Pavel got an invitation to opening ceremony of Peter the Great’s monument, installed right on the place shown by the ghost.
A rock-wave
Architector Falkone wanted to show that Russia is maritime state, so he searched for a big rock similar to sea wave. The search was going for a few years, until one ‘holy fool’ found an ideal rock in Lakhta. Locals said that Peter the Greate was personally climbing on this rock to view the territories in the days of North War.
There was a spreaded tradition to decorate the triumphal columns in the Ancient Rome. Architector Tom de Tomon, inspired by that, decided to create a project of Saint-Petersburg’s rostral columns, and they were installed in 1810.
Columns was needed not only for the decoration, they were used as a kind of lamps in XIX century. There is a spiral staircase inside - it’s a path to braziers.
Initially, hemp oil was used as a fuel, but it was splashing around onto the pedestrians’s heads. So in 1896 columns were electricized, but electricity was too expensive, that’s why in 1957 it was replaced with gas.
Columns was needed not only for the decoration, they were used as a kind of lamps in XIX century. There is a spiral staircase inside - it’s a path to braziers.
Initially, hemp oil was used as a fuel, but it was splashing around onto the pedestrians’s heads. So in 1896 columns were electricized, but electricity was too expensive, that’s why in 1957 it was replaced with gas.
The Russian branch of «Singer Sewing Machine Company» decided to make a multi-storey building for company’s top-management and for shops. Pavel Suzor was picked as an architect. Similar building was under construction at the same time in America (for USA’s office), but constructing of skyscrapers was restricted on the Nevsky prospect - to not to spoil the recognisable face of Petersburg. So architect offered an interesting idea - 6 floors with a mansard and amazing tower with a glass globe at roof.
The Nevsky prospect was selected as a location because it’s the center of business and commerce activity in the city.
The building was filled with modern technologies - roof with an automatic snow/icicles removal, elevators, ventilation and air-filtering.
The «Singer» company was the owner of that building until the 1917’s revolution. Since 1919 there are publishing offices and shops located here, so people started to call it «Book’s House».
The building was reconstructed in 2004-2006 and now it’s the «Book’s House» in the first two floors and another floors are occupied by the «Vkontakte» (or VK) company. (VK is a social network, leading on Russian market and defeated Facebook locally).
The Nevsky prospect was selected as a location because it’s the center of business and commerce activity in the city.
The building was filled with modern technologies - roof with an automatic snow/icicles removal, elevators, ventilation and air-filtering.
The «Singer» company was the owner of that building until the 1917’s revolution. Since 1919 there are publishing offices and shops located here, so people started to call it «Book’s House».
The building was reconstructed in 2004-2006 and now it’s the «Book’s House» in the first two floors and another floors are occupied by the «Vkontakte» (or VK) company. (VK is a social network, leading on Russian market and defeated Facebook locally).
Narva Triumphal Arch/Нарвские триумфальные ворота
The foundation of Narva Triumphal Arch started in 1827, to the honor of heroes of 1812’s War. As planned, it should be the first thing, that soldiers will see, returning from Europe. Author is Giacomo Quarenghi. The first version was made from wood and alabaster, in a month. By the opposite sides there are seats for viewers and orchestra. On the top of the arch it’s the Goddness of Fame seating, who is running a chariot of 6 horses. Horses, by the way, were the first serious work of very known sculpturist - Klodt. Russian troops passed through this gate 4 times.
Because of materials used in a construction, arch rapidly went bad, so governor Miloradovich offered to reconstruct the bulding, Nikolai the First agreed and the reconstruction began.
Vasiliy Stasov became the new architect. He decided to preserve the idea and view. Wood and alabastra were replaced with bricks, covered with copper sheets. In a reconstruction process, Rome’s warriors were changed to classic Russian heroes. Also, there was a label engraved «Started on August 26, 1827. Opened on August 17, 1834». Entire Imperor Family came to opening ceremony.
The city legend
The bas-relief is decoraded with statues of Russian warriers. Locals say that there is a ghost inside of it, which was scaring pedestrians in a midnight. He was raising hands up, trying to say hi to people or maybe to frighten them.
In the beginning of XX century somebody spreaded a rumor, saying that there a witch on the top of the arch instead the Goddness. That witch, by his opinion, was sending a curse to Russia. But some people thought that it is a sorcerer man. So people were coming to the arch and peering at goddness for a long time.
The foundation of Narva Triumphal Arch started in 1827, to the honor of heroes of 1812’s War. As planned, it should be the first thing, that soldiers will see, returning from Europe. Author is Giacomo Quarenghi. The first version was made from wood and alabaster, in a month. By the opposite sides there are seats for viewers and orchestra. On the top of the arch it’s the Goddness of Fame seating, who is running a chariot of 6 horses. Horses, by the way, were the first serious work of very known sculpturist - Klodt. Russian troops passed through this gate 4 times.
Because of materials used in a construction, arch rapidly went bad, so governor Miloradovich offered to reconstruct the bulding, Nikolai the First agreed and the reconstruction began.
Vasiliy Stasov became the new architect. He decided to preserve the idea and view. Wood and alabastra were replaced with bricks, covered with copper sheets. In a reconstruction process, Rome’s warriors were changed to classic Russian heroes. Also, there was a label engraved «Started on August 26, 1827. Opened on August 17, 1834». Entire Imperor Family came to opening ceremony.
The city legend
The bas-relief is decoraded with statues of Russian warriers. Locals say that there is a ghost inside of it, which was scaring pedestrians in a midnight. He was raising hands up, trying to say hi to people or maybe to frighten them.
In the beginning of XX century somebody spreaded a rumor, saying that there a witch on the top of the arch instead the Goddness. That witch, by his opinion, was sending a curse to Russia. But some people thought that it is a sorcerer man. So people were coming to the arch and peering at goddness for a long time.
History of creating
Initially, an idea to install Moscow Triumphal Gates was offered by Catherine the II. Inspired by drawings of architect Clerisso, who was making a pictures of antic ruins, she made an order for a model of the gates. But when the model was done, she was afraid that the building would cost too much money, so the idea was declined.
The topic of erecting those gates was continued after the winning in Russian-Turkish War. It was a competition opened, so almost every single engineer and architect answered with their solutions. But Nikolai the First declined them all, because he thought that it was too expensive or too ugly and etc. So, architect Stasov was selected, who has the successful experience with Narva Triumphal Arch.
‘Liteiniy’ factory started to produce the gates in 1834 and it was completed to 1838.
Interesting facts
Initially sculptirust Orlovsky shown 7 models of sculptures instead of 1, what was fixed in contract. The commission decided to punish him. Only Stasov's intervention saved him.
Initially, an idea to install Moscow Triumphal Gates was offered by Catherine the II. Inspired by drawings of architect Clerisso, who was making a pictures of antic ruins, she made an order for a model of the gates. But when the model was done, she was afraid that the building would cost too much money, so the idea was declined.
The topic of erecting those gates was continued after the winning in Russian-Turkish War. It was a competition opened, so almost every single engineer and architect answered with their solutions. But Nikolai the First declined them all, because he thought that it was too expensive or too ugly and etc. So, architect Stasov was selected, who has the successful experience with Narva Triumphal Arch.
‘Liteiniy’ factory started to produce the gates in 1834 and it was completed to 1838.
Interesting facts
Initially sculptirust Orlovsky shown 7 models of sculptures instead of 1, what was fixed in contract. The commission decided to punish him. Only Stasov's intervention saved him.