Alexander Vasilievich Suvorov - the legendary generalissimo, Russian commander and military theorist. Many monuments to A.V. Suvorov have been erected throughout Russia, but the most recognizable monument is the monument on the Field of Mars in St. Petersburg.
Biography
Alexander Vasilievich Suvorov was born in 1730 in Moscow. From early childhood, he studied military affairs, foreign languages, trained a weak body from birth, devoted much time to his physical development. From his youth he was in military service. A.V. Suvorov is known for the fact that he has not suffered a single defeat in his entire military life. He was famous for patriotism, devotion to the Russian Empire, concern for ordinary soldiers. Suvorov is the author of many works and military strategies, an outstanding statesman and talented commander. One of his outstanding victories was the battle with Turkish troops near the town of Rymnik and the battle 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 by Suvorov 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 the hero began to be erected during his lifetime. At the beginning of the work on the monument, they planned to erect it in Gatchina, but Paul I wanted to see the monument near his residence (Mikhailovsky Castle in St. Petersburg). The author of the monument was the famous sculptor M. Kozlovsky. The construction project was approved in 1800. The author of the pedestal on which the monument stands was the architect A. Voronikhin. The pedestal depicts a bas-relief that depicts Glory and Peace - symbols of the most famous victories of A.V. Suvorov.
Appearance
The great commander is depicted on the monument completely different from what he looked like in reality. The author did not observe portrait similarities. In fact, Suvorov was lean and wiry, not tall. The monument depicts him as an athlete, symbolizing the strength of spirit and fearlessness of the commander. The Generalissimo is depicted in the guise of Mars, the god of war. It is thanks to this monument that the field where it was originally installed was called 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 the invisible enemy, and the shield protects the Russian land from enemies. A shield in Suvorov’s hands covers an altar of three faces, on which are located the Neapolitan and Sardinian crowns, as well as the papal tiara. Behind this altar are depicted 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 ones created in Russia in the 18th century. A real masterpiece of Russian sculpture and architecture is a monument to Suvorov. The photo reflects the expressiveness of the monument and its spirituality.
Installation and opening
The monument to Suvorov, the great Russian commander, was unveiled in May 1801. A.V. Suvorov did not live up to its opening, and they did not manage to erect a monument during the life of the hero. By the time of the opening, there was no longer any customer - Emperor Paul I was killed two months before the opening ceremony of the monument. The ceremony was held very solemnly, 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 - Suvorov Square, which offers an excellent view of the Neva.
The reconstruction of the monument took place in 1834. The pedestal on which the monument stood cracked due to severe winter frosts. It was built of blocks of marble, and after reconstruction it was changed to a new pedestal made of pink granite. 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 sheltered in rooms or basements so that they would not suffer from the bombing. Warriors saluted the monument to Suvorov going to the front - people believed that while the monument stood in its place, the city was protected from the enemy. However, when the danger of damage during the bombing intensified, it was nevertheless decided to hide the monument in the basement of one of the apartment buildings near Suvorov Square.
At night, on the eve of the displacement, one of those who was instructed to hide the monument dreamed of Suvorov. He threatened with a finger and said that he had never been a coward during 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, the bomb whistled just next to the head of the monument to Suvorov, leaving it unharmed. And the basement where they planned to move the monument was completely destroyed by bombing.
Currently, the monument to Suvorov in St. Petersburg takes its place on Suvorov Square. He is an example of architecture and sculpture, symbolizing the valor and invincibility of the Russian army.