Alexander Column
The central object of Palace Square for almost two centuries has been the famous Alexander Column monument. This majestic building is dedicated to all who died during the War of 1812 and bears the name of the then reigning Emperor Alexander the First.
Address:
Palace Square
An official tender was held, during which the design of the architect Auguste Montferrand was chosen.
According to the sketch, the Alexander Column was supposed to be a triumphal structure from Antiquity and at that time the most grandiose monument made in a similar style. On September 24, 1829, the project was fully approved, and preparatory work began on the installation of the monument. The column, as well as its base, which weighs about 400 tons, is made of solid monolithic blocks.
For this purpose, in the Pyuterlak quarry, which was located not far from Vyborg, huge monoliths were broken out, exceeding in size the future monument. Preliminary processing was carried out here (1830-32). The blanks were delivered to St. Petersburg on July 1, 1832 by water on barges specially designed for this purpose. At the same time, preparations were being made for future construction in the northern capital.
Back in December 1829, a bronze box filled with coins that were minted in memory of the victorious heroes was buried at the site of the monument. 1,250 large pine piles were driven in for the granite block foundation. Later, a 400-ton pedestal was installed on the granite base and it was time to install the column, which was a very difficult task.
For this purpose, special scaffolding and a system of lifting devices were built. About 400 builders and another 2,000 soldiers took part in the work. After due preparations, the column was installed, and the whole process took just over an hour and a half. Work continued on the complete finishing of the monument for another two years. The column was polished, decorated with decorative elements and bas-reliefs, each of which is endowed with special symbolism. The grand opening of the Alexander Column took place in 1834 on August 30 - the feast of St. Alexander Nevsky.
According to the sketch, the Alexander Column was supposed to be a triumphal structure from Antiquity and at that time the most grandiose monument made in a similar style. On September 24, 1829, the project was fully approved, and preparatory work began on the installation of the monument. The column, as well as its base, which weighs about 400 tons, is made of solid monolithic blocks.
For this purpose, in the Pyuterlak quarry, which was located not far from Vyborg, huge monoliths were broken out, exceeding in size the future monument. Preliminary processing was carried out here (1830-32). The blanks were delivered to St. Petersburg on July 1, 1832 by water on barges specially designed for this purpose. At the same time, preparations were being made for future construction in the northern capital.
Back in December 1829, a bronze box filled with coins that were minted in memory of the victorious heroes was buried at the site of the monument. 1,250 large pine piles were driven in for the granite block foundation. Later, a 400-ton pedestal was installed on the granite base and it was time to install the column, which was a very difficult task.
For this purpose, special scaffolding and a system of lifting devices were built. About 400 builders and another 2,000 soldiers took part in the work. After due preparations, the column was installed, and the whole process took just over an hour and a half. Work continued on the complete finishing of the monument for another two years. The column was polished, decorated with decorative elements and bas-reliefs, each of which is endowed with special symbolism. The grand opening of the Alexander Column took place in 1834 on August 30 - the feast of St. Alexander Nevsky.
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