Monument To Peter I
The equestrian monument to Peter the Great (The Bronze Horseman) towers up in the centre of the small decorative garden. It was commissioned by Catherine the Great and was unveiled in 1782.
The strong will of the Russian Emperor
The monument modelled by the French sculptor Falconetand his assistant Maria Collot (She made the head of the tsar) and the Russian sculptorGordeev, who cut the pedestal. It is a granite monolith, which presents a breaking sea-wave. It symbolises Peter’s exasperation (very strong will) to have access to the Baltic Sea.
Snake is the symbol of the opposition
The snake at the hind hooves of the horse symbolises the evil forces – the opposition, which Peter had to resist, and it also provides the third point of support. It’s written on the pedestal: “To Peter I from Catherine II”. Thus Catherine II displayed her readiness to continue reforms, which Peter the Great had started.
The monument was carefully protected during the WWII with sandbags and wooden boards.
