Alexander Column - Александровская Колонна

The monument to the Russian victory in the war with Napoleon's France.Created by: Romanov Empire - Империя РомановыхDated: 1835
The Alexander Column or Alexandrian Column is the focal point of Palace Square in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The monument was raised after the Russian victory in the war with Napoleon's France. The column is named for Emperor Alexander I of Russia, who reigned from 1801–25.

It was designed by the French-born architect Auguste de Montferrand, built between 1830 and 1834 with Swiss-born architect Antonio Adamini, and unveiled on 30 August 1834. It is one of the tallest of its kind at 47.5 m (155 ft 8 in) tall and is topped with a statue of an angel holding a cross. The monolith that has been quarried, moved and erected is the heaviest recorded. The statue of the angel was designed by the Russian sculptor Boris Orlovsky. The face of the angel bears great similarity to the face of Emperor Alexander I.

The column is a single piece of red granite, 25.45 m (83 ft 6 in) long and about 3.5 m (11 ft 5 in) in diameter. The granite monolith was obtained from Virolahti, Finland and in 1832 transported by sea to Saint Petersburg, on a barge specially designed for this purpose. The column, weighing 661 tons was erected by 3,000 men under the guidance of William Handyside in less than 2 hours. It is fixed in position by its own weight alone.

The pedestal of the Column is decorated by Giovanni Battista Scotti. The sketches for the bas-reliefs were produced by Auguste de Montferrand. The panels were designed by Giovanni Battista Scotti. The models were produced by Piotr Svintsov and Ivan Lepee, the ornamental embellishments by sculptor Yevgeny Balin. The casting of the bronze was done at Charles Baird's works in Saint Petersburg.

Александровская колонна (Александрийский столп) — памятник находящийся в центре Дворцовой площади Санкт-Петербурга. Воздвигнута в 1834 году архитектором Огюстом Монферраном в память о победе Александра I над Наполеоном.

Для гранитного монолита и фундамента была использована скала из Пютерлакской каменоломни, Финляндия. Доставка в Санкт-Петербург производилась по морю, на барке. Для установки монолита на фундамент была построена платформа и сконструирована подъёмная система. Для приведения колонны в вертикальное положение на Дворцовой площади потребовалось 2000 солдат и 400 рабочих, которые за 1 час 45 минут установили монолит.

Открытие памятника состоялось 30 августа (11 сентября) 1834 года и ознаменовало окончание работ по оформлению Дворцовой площади. Затем на площади был проведён военный парад в котором участвовали полки, отличившиеся в Отечественной войне 1812 года; всего около ста тысяч человек.

Ствол колонны — самый высокий и самый тяжёлый монолит, когда-либо установленный в виде колонны или обелиска вертикально, и один из величайших перемещённых человеком монолитов.
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Moving Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Moving Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - ...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Unloading parts of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Unloading parts of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Augu...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Palace Square parade with Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Palace Square parade with Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferran...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Plan of Alexander Column foundation, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Plan of Alexander Column foundation, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Augu...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Alexander Column through arch, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Alexander Column through arch, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Cover. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Cover. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - ...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Workers erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Workers erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, August...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Ramp for Erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Ramp for Erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Augus...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Details of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Details of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (178...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Quarry view. Erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Quarry view. Erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, A...

Type of work in the Püterlack quarry. Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri ... More

Ramp for Erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Ramp for Erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Augus...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Plan. Erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Plan. Erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste ...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). P... More

Alexander Column bas-relief, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Alexander Column bas-relief, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (178...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

View of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

View of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 -...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Comparison chart: Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Comparison chart: Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Augus...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Mechanisms for Erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Mechanisms for Erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand,...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Alexander Column foundation on ramp, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Alexander Column foundation on ramp, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Augu...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Plan of site, Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Plan of site, Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Barge for transporting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Barge for transporting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, ...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Details of Mechanisms for erection of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Details of Mechanisms for erection of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

View of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

View of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 -...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Moving Alexander Column slab, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Moving Alexander Column slab, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (17...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Unloading Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Unloading Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

The Ascent of the Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

The Ascent of the Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Augus...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Lifting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Lifting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 -...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Alexander Column bas-relief, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Alexander Column bas-relief, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (178...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Erecting Foundation for Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Erecting Foundation for Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand,...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Moving Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Moving Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - ...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

The Ascent of the Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

The Ascent of the Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Augus...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Сasting of an angel of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Сasting of an angel of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, ...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Ramp. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Ramp. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

The Ascent of the Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

The Ascent of the Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Augus...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Design of upper part of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Design of upper part of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand,...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Transporting Details for Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Transporting Details for Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Loading Alexander Column onto a barge, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Loading Alexander Column onto a barge, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Au...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Erecting Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 ...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Angel of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Angel of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 ...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Quarry map. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Quarry map. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (17...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Design of lower part of  Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Design of lower part of Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Plan of Palace square and Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Plan of Palace square and Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferran...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More

Ramp to move Alexander Column foundation stone, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858)

Ramp to move Alexander Column foundation stone, St. Petersburg. Montfe...

Plans and details of the monument dedicated to the memory of Emperor Alexander. Alexander Column, St. Petersburg. Montferrand, Auguste (1786 - 1858) Montferrand, Henri Louis Auguste Ricard de (1786-1858). Pl... More