Monument to Alexander Suvorov in St. Petersburg

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Alexander Vasilievich Suvorov - the legendary generalissimo, Russian commander and military theorist. There are many monuments to A. V. Suvorov throughout Russia, but the most recognizable is the monument on the Field of Mars in St. Petersburg.

Biography

Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov was born in 1730 in Moscow. From early childhood, he studied military affairs, foreign languages, trained an organism weak from birth, devoted a lot of time to his physical development. From his youth he was in the military service. A. V. Suvorov is known for the fact that in his entire military life he did not suffer a single defeat. He was famous for patriotism, devotion to the Russian Empire, care for ordinary soldiers. Suvorov is the author of many works and military strategies, an outstanding statesman and a talented commander. Some of his outstanding victories were battles with Turkish troops near the city of Rymnik and battles with Napoleon's army in Italy. A. V. Suvorov died in 1800 in St. Petersburg, he was buried in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

History of Creation

In 1799, Russian troops led bySuvorov defeated the Napoleonic army. After this victory, Emperor Paul I ordered the erection of a monument to Suvorov. This is one of the first cases in history when a monument to a hero began to be erected during his lifetime. At the beginning of work on the monument, it was planned to install it in Gatchina, but Paul I wished to see the monument not far from his residence (Mikhailovsky Castle in St. Petersburg). The famous sculptor M. Kozlovsky was the author of the monument. The construction project was approved in 1800. The author of the pedestal on which the monument stands was the architect A. Voronikhin. On the pedestal there is a bas-relief depicting Glory and Peace - the symbols of the most famous victories of A. V. Suvorov.

Appearance

The great commander is depicted on the monument not at all the way he looked in reality. Portrait resemblance was not respected by the author. In fact, Suvorov was lean and wiry, of short stature. The monument depicts him as an athlete, symbolizing the fortitude and fearlessness of the commander. The Generalissimo is depicted as Mars, the god of war. It is thanks to this monument that the field where it was originally installed was named Mars. Quite often, A. V. Suvorov was called the “god of war” for his talent, swiftness, patriotism and fearlessness. The monument to Suvorov depicts him holding a sword and shield. The sword in the commander's hand strikes an invisible enemy, and the shield protects the Russian land from enemies. The shield in the hands of Suvorov covers the altar of three faces, on which the Neapolitan and Sardinian crowns are located, as well as the tiara of the Pope. Behind itthe altar depicts growing lilies - a symbol of the peoples of Italy, protected by the Russian army. The height of the sculpture itself is 3.37 m, the height of the pedestal on which the monument stands is 4.05 m.

In the history of sculpture, the monument to Suvorov on the Field of Mars is the first major monument that was created exclusively by Russian masters. It is not surprising that it is rightfully considered one of the most significant, created in Russia in the XVIII century. A real masterpiece of Russian sculpture and architecture is the monument to Suvorov. The photo shows all the expressiveness of the monument and its spirituality.

Installation and opening

The monument to Suvorov, the great Russian commander, was opened in May 1801. A. V. Suvorov did not live to see its opening, and they did not have time to erect a monument during the life of the hero. By the time of the opening, there was no longer a customer - Emperor Paul I was killed two months before the opening ceremony of the monument. The ceremony was very solemn, it was attended by the new Russian emperor Alexander I, the military nobility of the capital, the son of A. V. Suvorov and a large audience. The monument was opened on the Champ de Mars. However, later (in 1818), during the redevelopment of the Mikhailovsky Palace, the monument to Suvorov was moved to a new one - Suvorovskaya Square, which offers an excellent view of the Neva.

The monument was reconstructed in 1834. The pedestal on which the monument stood cracked due to severe winter frosts. It was built from blocks of marble, and after reconstruction it was changed to a new pedestal -pink granite. The work on the reconstruction of the pedestal was carried out by the architect Visconti.

Legends and myths

There is a legend about the monument to Suvorov. During the Great Patriotic War, many monuments were removed and covered in rooms or basements so that they would not be damaged by the bombing. The soldiers saluted the monument to Suvorov leaving for the front - people believed that as long as the monument stands in its place, the city is protected from the enemy. However, when the risk of damage during the bombing intensified, it was still decided to hide the monument in the basement of one of the residential buildings near Suvorovskaya Square.

At night, on the eve of the transfer, one of those who were instructed to hide the monument dreamed of Suvorov. He shook his finger and said that he had never been a coward in his lifetime and did not want to become a coward and hide after his death. The decision to move the monument was canceled, the monument was left in its place. A little later, a bomb whistled right next to the head of the monument to Suvorov, leaving him unharmed. And the basement where they planned to move the monument was completely destroyed by the bombing.

At present, the monument to Suvorov in St. Petersburg takes its place on Suvorovskaya Square. It is an example of architecture and sculpture, symbolizing the valor and invincibility of the Russian army.