Monument to Peter the Great

Monument to Peter the Great

Erected in the mid-1990s, the Monument to Peter the Great, now located in Moscow, once sparked intense controversy among residents of both Moscow and St. Petersburg. Peter the Great (1682 A.D.–1725 A.D.), who propelled Russia into the ranks of the world's great powers, played a pivotal role in expanding the empire’s territories, modernizing the military, and even establishing Russia’s first navy. For Russians, Peter the Great holds significant historical importance.

The Monument to Peter the Great was created to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Russian Navy. Crafted in the medieval Georgian sculptural style, it depicts Peter the Great holding an ancient scroll map, standing proudly atop a 17th- or 18th-century ocean-going sailing ship — symbolizing the visionary leader’s inseparable bond with the Russian Navy. Standing at 94 meters tall, it ranks as the eighth tallest statue in the world by height. However, its overall design was deemed so ugly and vulgar that it was rejected by the citizens of St. Petersburg. Although Muscovites also disliked the design, the sculpture was nonetheless installed at the confluence of the Moscow River and its canals, thanks to the close ties between its creator, Zurab Tsereteli, and the then-mayor of Moscow. Its stark incongruity with the surrounding modern cityscape has also provoked fierce protests from right-wing groups.

Peter the Great Statue

Reason to visit: Russia’s most controversial (and arguably ugliest) sculpture

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: Russia[Russia]

Province/State: Moscow Autonomous City [Moscow]

City: Moscow [Moscow]