Let's continue exploring the central part of Saint Petersburg. Recently, I wrote about visiting the General Staff Building and the Winter Palace of Peter I. Today, I invite you to learn about another famous monument located right on Palace Square — the Alexander Column.
This monument was erected in 1834 to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon's army. The project was designed by the famous architect of French origin, Auguste Montferrand, who is also known for his work on the fourth St. Isaac's Cathedral. Today, the Alexander Column is one of the unofficial symbols of Saint Petersburg.
How to Get There
The column stands in the heart of Saint Petersburg, on Palace Square. Most tourists likely know how to get there, but just to remind you, the nearest metro station is "Admiralteyskaya," which is on the violet line. The walk from the metro station takes no more than ten minutes.
A Bit of History
The competition to create a monument in memory of Alexander I was announced by his younger brother, Nicholas I, in 1829. The construction of the monument took about five years. It’s worth noting that, besides the current column design, the architect proposed other versions, including one with a snake entwining a cross and even a figure of Alexander Nevsky instead of an angel.
By the time the Alexander Column was being created, the architect already had experience working with monolithic granite, as nearby the construction of St. Isaac's Cathedral was underway, also by Montferrand. However, the weight of one column in the cathedral was five times lighter than the Alexander Column, which, to this day, remains the tallest monument in the world made of a single granite block.
An interesting fact is that the monument stands only because of the weight of the stone itself. A legend exists in Saint Petersburg that residents used to avoid walking near the column, fearing it might fall. To prove the safety of his creation, Montferrand reportedly took his dog for a walk every day at the base of the monument. According to the legend, this helped the people of Saint Petersburg get used to the new city colossus.
A little about the famous angel crowning the Alexander Column: the sculpture, which is more than four meters tall (the height of the cross is over 6 meters), was created by Boris Orlovsky, who also designed the monuments to Kutuzov and Barclay de Tolly at Kazan Cathedral. Today, the angel atop the Alexander Column is considered the protector of the city, and its image can be found in various informational materials about Saint Petersburg. It is worth mentioning that during the Soviet era, there were plans to replace the angel with a statue of the leader of the world proletariat, but fortunately, these plans were never realized.
I’d like to conclude this story with the words of Emperor Nicholas I, who, during the column's installation ceremony, said: “Montferrand, you have immortalized yourself.” Indeed, this is true. The major creations of this brilliant architect have withstood wars and revolutions and, like the Bronze Horseman, have become beloved symbols of our city.
In summary:
- The Alexander Column is one of the most famous landmarks in Saint Petersburg,
- It is a place with a rich history,
- It's a great spot for free photos with one of the city's symbols.
