Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky is 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 prominent people in the Alexander Garden. Nikolai Mikhailovich was also among the figures of that era, whose names and images were immortalized in bronze. When exactly did the Przhevalsky monument appear in St. Petersburg, what does it look like?
Researcher, military leader and honorary citizen
The greatest fame for Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky brought his research activities. He traveled a lot, in particular in Central Asia, discovered new rivers and mountains. It was Przhevalsky who first described many representatives of the animal kingdom: a wild horse (later called the “Przhevalsky horse”), a Tibetan bull, and camels. It is no coincidence that a monument to Przhevalsky 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. M. Przhevalsky died in 1888 in Kyrgyzstan. The city in which the great explorer ended his life was subsequently renamed Przhevalsk (formerly Karakol).
The decision to create a monument
Przewalski was not forgotten immediately after his death. In 1891, a prize and a medal named after the great researcher for outstanding geographical discoveries were established. Around the same time, talk began about creating a monument. Funds for the manufacture and installation of the sculpture were collected by the Russian Geographical Society, and its vice president personally transferred them to the city administration. The Przhevalsky monument 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. During the life of the researcher, he painted the watercolor “Przhevalsky on the hunt”, and then proposed sketches for the creation of the monument. Famous sculptures by I.N. Schroeder helped to add volume to the image. An interesting fact - it was these masters who co-authored working on a monument erected on the grave of Przhevalsky.
Challenging 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. At that time sculptures dedicated to the great people of the era already appeared in the Alexander Garden . Therefore, the monument to Przhevalsky should be done in a common style. This is a bust mounted on a granite pedestal, at the base of which lies a two-humped camel loaded with luggage. The bronze sculptures were cast at the factory of K. Berto, and the granite pedestal was made by Bureau Vega, owned by Robert Johannovich Runeberg. The grand opening of the monument took place on October 20, 1892.
Monument to Przhevalsky: 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 slightly above the ground, like a high step, on it stands a granite pedestal, stylized as a rock, at the foot of which lies a camel. The design is crowned by the bust of the great explorer. Przhevalsky is depicted in a military uniform, his face is noble, calm and relaxed. There is something majestic even in the shape of a camel - the animal is resting in front of a long road and as if understands the importance of the upcoming trip. On the pedestal there is an inscription: "Przhevalsky - the first explorer of Central Asia."
Stalin with a camel (and other urban legends)
The Przhevalsky Monument in St. Petersburg is incredibly popular with tourists. And one of the most frequently asked questions, sounding from year to year in the Alexander Garden, about why Stalin camel. What does the chief secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU? Everything is very simple - this sculpture of Nikolai Mikhailovich too closely resembles portraits of Joseph Vissarionovich. If you don’t 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 was the first to describe the camel and often moved to them in Asia, then it does not quite combine with the image of the leader of the peoples. However, the resemblance to Comrade Stalin is not the only funny fact about this sculpture. Indigenous Petersburgers say that by perceiving the monument, one can assess the degree of their own maturation. All children think that in front of them is a monument to a camel, because due to their short stature they can’t make out a bust located high. And now, as soon as you notice the upper sculpture, you can say goodbye to your childhood, and when you finally remember who and for what merits the monument was erected, you become an adult.
Where is the monument to Przhevalsky?
Finding a bust set by the great Russian explorer is not difficult at all. If you want to see this attraction 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, finding this place is not at all difficult. Any resident of the city will tell you how to get to the Admiralty, and right in front of this building you will see the famous monument to Przhevalsky.