ALEXANDERALEXANDER COLUMNCOLUMN

The Alexander Column is the focal The Alexander Column is the focal point of Palace Square.point of Palace Square. The column is a The column is a great monument to the Russian victory great monument to the Russian victory over Napoleon. The Alexander Column over Napoleon. The Alexander Column got its name in honour of the emperor got its name in honour of the emperor Alexander I, who ruled Russia between Alexander I, who ruled Russia between 1801 and 1825.1801 and 1825.

It was It was designed by the designed by the architect Auguste architect Auguste Monferrand and Monferrand and built between built between 1830 and 1834.1830 and 1834.

Auguste Auguste MonferrandMonferrand(1786-1858)(1786-1858)

The granite column weighs more than The granite column weighs more than 600 tons. The monolith of red granite was 600 tons. The monolith of red granite was found near Vyborg.found near Vyborg.

The column The column is 25.58 m high is 25.58 m high and 3.56 m in and 3.56 m in diameter.diameter.

The total The total high of the high of the monument is monument is 47.5 m. It stays 47.5 m. It stays in place by its in place by its own force of own force of gravity.gravity.It stays in It stays in place by its own place by its own force of gravity.force of gravity.

There were a lot of people There were a lot of people when 2000 soldiers and 400 when 2000 soldiers and 400 workmen using 60 lifting workmen using 60 lifting mechanisms put the column mechanisms put the column on its base in 1 hour 45 on its base in 1 hour 45 minutes. 1250 6-metre piles minutes. 1250 6-metre piles were sunk in the base of the were sunk in the base of the pedestal. pedestal.

On the top of the On the top of the column there is a column there is a figure of an angel figure of an angel whose cross tramples whose cross tramples a snake – a symbol of a snake – a symbol of victory of good over victory of good over evil, the allegory of evil, the allegory of the peace that came to the peace that came to Europe after the Europe after the Russian victory over Russian victory over Napoleon. Napoleon.

The angel’s The angel’s face is made to face is made to look like look like Alexander I.Alexander I.

THE ENDTHE END