Monument to Przhevalsky in St. Petersburg: description, history and interesting facts

Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky - a famous Russian explorer and traveler, whose name is known to any citizen of our country. At the end of the nineteenth century, the authorities of St. Petersburg decided to establish sculptures of outstanding people in the Alexander Garden. Nikolai Mikhailovich also turned out to be among the figures of that era whose names and images were immortalized in bronze. When exactly the Przhevalsky monument appeared in St. Petersburg, what does it look like?

Researcher, military commander and honorary citizen

The greatest popularity of Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky was brought by his research activity. He traveled extensively, particularly in Central Asia, opening new rivers and mountains. It was Przhevalsky who first described many representatives of the animal world: a wild horse (later called the "Przewalski horse"), a Tibetan bull, camels. It is no coincidence that Przewalski's monument appeared in St. Petersburg. Nikolai Mikhailovich was a member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, and also received the title of honorary citizen of the city. In addition, he had the military rank of Major-General. N. Przhevalsky died in 1888 in Kirghizia. The city, in which the great explorer ended his life, was subsequently renamed Przhevalsk (formerly Karakol).

The decision to create a monument

Przhevalsky was not forgotten immediately after his death. In 1891, a premium and a medal named after the great researcher for outstanding geographical discoveries was established. Approximately at the same time, talk about the creation of a monument began. Funds for the manufacture and installation of sculptures were collected by the Russian Geographical Society, and his vice-president personally handed them over to the city administration. The monument to Przhevalsky in St. Petersburg was created according to the sketches of his close friend. A. A. Bilderling was friends with Nikolai Mikhailovich and was fond of drawing. Even during the life of the researcher, he painted a watercolor "Przewalski on the hunt", and then offered sketches for the creation of the monument. To give the image the volume helped famous sculpture I. N. Schroeder. An interesting fact is that these masters co-authored the monument erected on the Przewalski grave.

Uneasy work and grand opening

The place for the installation of a new sculpture was chosen by the king himself. It was decided to erect a monument to Przhevalsky in St. Petersburg opposite the Admiralty. In the Alexander Garden at that time, already appeared sculptures dedicated to the great people of the era. Therefore, the monument to Przewalski should be done in a general style. It is a bust mounted on a granite pedestal, at the base of which lies a two-humped camel, laden with a trellis. Sculptures of bronze were cast at the plant of K. Berto, and the granite pedestal was made by the firm "Bureau Vega", owned by Robert Johannovich Runeberg. The grand opening of the monument took place on October 20, 1892.

Monument to Przewalski: photo and description

The total height of the sculpture is 3.3 meters, of which the height of the bust is 1.5 meters. The pedestal of the Przhevalsky monument in St. Petersburg rises a little above the ground, like a high step, with a granite pedestal stylized under a rock at the foot of which lies a camel. This design is crowned by the bust of the great researcher. Przhevalsky is depicted in a military uniform, his face is noble, calm and relaxed. Something majestic is even in the guise of a camel - the animal rests before a long road and as if understands the importance of the forthcoming journey. On the pedestal there is an inscription: "Przhevalsky - the first explorer of Central Asia."

Stalin with a camel (and other urban legends)

Monument Przhevalsky in St. Petersburg is incredibly popular with tourists. And one of the most frequently asked questions, from year to year sounding in the Alexander Garden, about why Stalin needs a camel. What does the chief secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU have to do with this? Everything is very simple - this sculpture of Nikolai Mikhailovich too much like the portraits of Joseph Vissarionovich. If you do not look at the details or read the inscription on the pedestal, you can really take the bust for the image of Stalin. And if the animal at the monument to Przhevalsky in St. Petersburg looks quite logical and natural - Nikolai Mikhailovich first described the camel and often moved to them in Asia, then with the image of the leader of the peoples it does not quite match. However, the similarity with Comrade Stalin is not the only funny fact about this sculpture. Indigenous Petersburgers say that the perception of the monument can assess the degree of their own growing up. All children think that before them the monument is a camel, because because of low growth can not see a bust high up. And as soon as you notice the top sculpture, you can say goodbye to your childhood, and when you finally remember, to whom and for what merit the monument is placed - you become an adult.

Where is the monument to Przhevalsky?

Find a bust, installed a great Russian researcher, it is not difficult. If you want to see this landmark with your own eyes, go to the Alexander Garden. There is a monument to Przhevalsky in St. Petersburg opposite the Admiralty building. Even without an exact address, it is not difficult to find this place. How to get to the Admiralty, any resident of the city will tell, and right in front of this building you will see the famous monument to Przhevalsky.