Hundreds of monuments to historical figures, writers and poets have been erected in the northern capital. The city is like a great encyclopedia of arts, opening its pages to those who want to know the history of the Russian State.
One of the most exciting "pages" is the Place des Arts, founded back in the nineteenth century. It was designed by Carl Rossi, a world famous architect. This area today is part of the World Historical Heritage. There are several theaters, hotels, museums on it. There is also a monument to Pushkin, erected in the park in 1957. Its authors were architect Petrov and sculptor Anikushin.
Of the five monuments decorating St. Petersburg, this one is the most popular and recognized by the citizens.
The monument to Pushkin on Arts Square has an interestinghistory. The decision to establish it was made in 1936. An All-Union competition for the best project was announced, a place was found on Birzhevaya Square (later it was named after the great poet), and a site was prepared. However, the construction failed: none of the participants in the competition could convey the essence of the poet, no one could offer a worthy project. The monument, solemnly laid in 1936, never turned into a monument.
After the war, in 1947, the competition was re-announced. This time the project was created, and the young graduate of the Art Academy Anikushin became the winner of the competition. He worked on the sculpture project for several years. Only in 1957 the monument was erected. Arts Square was adorned by the great creation of a Soviet architect who managed to solve a difficult task: to organically fit the monument into the historically established architectural ensemble of the favorite place of Leningraders. Today it seems that the monument has been there since the end of the 19th century, when the square was just laid out.
Today, Arts Square has fully preserved its historical appearance.
Its main architectural object is the Mikhailovsky Palace, the construction of which took amazingly (at that time) little time. The magnificent royal building was built in just six years, from 1819 to 1825.
To the west, Place des Arts is adorned with two historical buildings dedicated to Melpomene. These are the theaters: Opera and Ballet (former Mikhailovsky) and Maly. St. Petersburg Philharmonic is located a little further away. It is worth saying a little more about it. Located in the old building of the Assembly of the Nobility, the Philharmonic has always been one of the favorite places of St. Petersburg residents. Even during the Great Patriotic War, the Philharmonic supported the spirit of the blockade incessantly
concerts. It was here that Shostakovich's famous "blockade" symphony was first performed.
Arts Square is not only proud of these architectural gems and historical buildings. Here is the apartment of I. I. Brodsky, a Soviet painter who is considered the founder of a movement called socialist realism.
Not far from the artist's apartment, the Grand Hotel Europe hospitably welcomes guests - the best hotel in the city, also organically integrated into the architectural historical ensemble.
