The most famous statue of Peter the Great is the Bronze Horseman. The monument was meant to be a tribute by Catherine the Great to her famous predecessor on the Russian throne. The monument depicts Peter leading the way for Russia while his horse tramples a snake, which represents Peter’s enemies.
The Bronze Horseman is located at the river end of Ploshad Dekabristov (Decembrists’ Square), site of the first attempt at a Russian revolution. On December 14, 1825, young officers who wanted to introduce a constitutional monarchy, protested on the day of Nicholas I’s coronation. Nicholas I’s solution? He had them shot.
Myself in front of the Bronze Horseman.
Kate and I in front of the Bronze Horseman. Notice the wedding bride and numerous bouqets of flowers on the ground. Apparently it’s a tradition in Russia for newly married couples to visit historic sites and honor Russia’s past by laying flowers on the ground.
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