idea to erect a monument to Catherine 2 in St. Petersburg occurred to nobles and during her reign.Who, if not her?Against this was the queen herself.However, on the centenary of her accession to the throne (22 September 1762) the idea began to be realized.
Age from idea to realization
question about the installation of the monument to the Empress was raised in April 1863.The initiator was Baron Fredericks, scion of Russian Count, baron, noble family.He was supported by all the estates department of the City Council and the United Commission on the benefits and needs of the public.Initiators proposed to erect a monument on the square between Alexandrinskaya Alexandrinsky Theater and the Public Library, located in a building that belonged to the late queen.Until that time, 2 monument to Catherine in St. Petersburg and did not install.
project in 1862 was declared a competition to design the monument.It was won by artist and sculptor Mikhail Mikeshin, already known throughout the country due to the complex "Millennium of Russia", built on his project in Veliky Novgorod.His new work Rococo received in London at the World Exhibition honorary medal.But the monument to Catherine 2 in St. Petersburg, was originally planned to be installed in Tsarskoye Selo.And for that, M. Mikeshenym was made in 1861 layout.After the decision to establish structure in the city on the Neva in the layout had to make changes, but the general idea remains the same.In 1864, the new figure was cast master Sokolov.This layout is later placed in a pavilion "Grotto" in Tsarskoye Selo.
serious approach
general management of the work was entrusted to architect DI Grimm, academician, one of the founders of the "Russian style".The team for the erection of the monument entered another architect, VA Schroeter, and two sculptors: AM Opekushin (author of the monument to Pushkin in Moscow) and MA Chizhov.Slightly reworked model of the monument has received the highest approval.Work began.The very shape of the empress, standing with a regal bearing and smiling graciously first persons of the state, carved Afanasievich Matvey Chizhov.2 Monument to Catherine in St. Petersburg resembles the general outline of "Millennium of Russia" - the same form of bells, the central statue, crowning the entire monument, located at the foot of which the relevant figures for the country's leaders.Catherine obelisk carved their Opekushin Alexander and molded shapes the most prominent figures of the glorious era of the reign of Catherine the Great was at "Nichols and Plinke" best master bronzoliteyschikami.
total 2 monument to Catherine in St. Petersburg (photo in the article) took 50.8 tons of bronze.This metal is gone, and for the manufacture of a laurel wreath encircling the foot of the marble pedestal (marble were taken from the Karelian Isthmus), on candelabra lamps 4 lamps along the perimeter of the monument, and the board on which it is written that the monument hoisted in the reign of Alexander II.The author of all the pieces of bronze and granite pedestal of the DI Grimm was a drawing by his student Victor Schroeter ornamental details were made lanterns.
One queen overhead
With an overall height of the monument is 10 meters of the figure of Catherine II of 4.35 meters.The Empress is depicted with reverence - it is not a tyrant, she is the mother nation.Majestic, but affectionate, wise management of the country.In the hands of her scepter, and instead of power - a laurel wreath, which symbolizes not only the power but also the glory.After all, the whole of Europe knew that the Russian Empress - a wise and enlightened woman.In regal ermine mantle thrown over the shoulders - one of the jewels of power.Second - The Crown of the Russian Empire - lies at her feet.On the breast of Catherine II is another symbol of royal power - diamond sign on the chain and star of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, founded by Peter I.
cohort of Good Companions ...
Gracious queen smile my lords, do everything for the glory of Russia during her reign.Who are these people who knew the whole country, not just St. Petersburg?Monument to Catherine 2 immortalized their names.
Facing the Nevsky Prospekt are figures of Peter Rumyantsev-Zvdunayskogo, ruled by Catherine Little Russia, His Serene Highness Prince Georgy Potemkin Tauride, who took Ochakov and join Russia New Russia.Legendary Generalissimo Alexander Suvorov - the third figure in the group.All of them have contributed to the expansion of the borders of the Russian Empire.As we move to the Anichkov Palace appear figure of the poet Gabriel Derzhavin and Catherine Dashkova, President of the Russian Academy who have made a contribution to the formation of a great power.Next settled manage the entire foreign policy of the state, Prince Alexander and Ivan Betskoi Bezborodko, president of the Academy of Arts.They are facing the Public Library (St. Petersburg).Monument to Catherine 2 complement two other figures located in front of the Alexandrinsky Theater.This naval commander Vasily Chichagov, polar explorer, and the legendary Alexei Orlov-Chesmensky.
Day of military glory of Russia is considered to be July 7, when the Russian fleet commanded by Alexei Orlov won a brilliant victory over the Turks at the Battle of Chesma.It's really the best men of his time, and no urban legends without detracting from their merits as Catherine the Great importance will not diminish the name familiarity of the square surrounding the monument - "Katkin garden."
Legends central attractions
One of the most famous landmarks of our country is a monument to Catherine 2 in St. Petersburg.Description it can be extended by some statistical data.He bypassed the state 316 thousand rubles.The opening ceremony and commemorative medals increase this amount to 456,896 rubles.Erected a monument more than 10 years.Legends surround him, as, indeed, and any attraction.One of them is related to the start of construction - the example of a hysterical enthusiastic lady tore off fingers and thrown into a pit ring is made and some other women.Well, how many of them should have been to in the heads of St. Petersburg was born the legend of the "countless treasures" buried at the foot of the monument.Incidentally, in the piles in the construction of the samples were mounted in gold and silver coins of the rulers of Russia?
2 Monument to Catherine in St. Petersburg at the address: Central District, Nevsky Prospekt, d. 56, located in the historic center of the city.Nearby Catherine Square and the Alexandrinsky Theatre.It is easily accessible by public transport, you need to go to the metro station "Gostiny Dvor".
