The architect of the rostral columns on the Vasilievsky spit. Rostral columns - a symbol of the sea power of Russia

Rostral columns (Russia) - description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.

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Today it is impossible to imagine the Strelka ensemble of Vasilievsky Island without these columns. Previously, the columns served as beacons for ships going to the once located here Trading port... Now lighthouses are lit only on special occasions.

The Rostral Column is presented on a 50-ruble note along with a dubious image of the Neva River.

During the imperial period, the columns functioned as lighthouses, oil was poured into the bowls at the top, which was set on fire at night. And now, on the days of the main city holidays, fiery torches can be seen on the tops of the columns.

At the base of the columns are statues depicting two ladies and two elders. The guides say that these are allegories of the main rivers of the European part of Russia: the Neva, Volkhov, Volga and Dnieper. However, there is no evidence of these allegorical constructions.

Rostral columns

On the trunks of the columns, there are metal images of rostras - the bows of ships, hence their name. The brickwork of the Rostral columns and the masonry work were carried out by the team of the master S.K.Sukhanov. Ship rostras, naiads and anchors were minted from copper by the craftsmen Shapov, Vasiliev and Korolkov.

Address: St. Petersburg, pl. Exchange.

Rostral columns are an integral part of the spit ensemble of Vasilievsky Island. They were built by the architect Tom de Thomon at the same time as the Stock Exchange building in 1805-1810.

On the trunks of the columns, metal images of the rostrum - the bows of the ships - are reinforced. Hence their name, as the sailors called the bow of the ship by the Latin word "rostrum", which translates as "beak". Such a metal-studded "beak" was used to ram the enemy during naval battles. Subsequently, even in ancient Rome, triumphal columns were decorated with rostras in honor of sea victories.

While working on the architectural ensemble of the arrow, Thomas de Thomon created several different options her image. The scale and decoration of the Rostral columns changed from project to project. In the search for the best solution, the Russian architect A.D. Zakharov helped the Frenchman. He advised: " Rostral columns or lighthouses on a confirmed scale cannot be built, because the stairs in them will be so cramped that a person will not be able to climb them, and their walls will be thin and fragile; if you want to build them, then by all means it is necessary to do on a larger scale". [Quoted from: 3, p. 22, 23]

To create the sculptural decoration of the Rostral columns, the "Commission for the construction of the exchange building and the imposition of stones on the Neva bank" turned to the Academy of Arts. Her advice decided to entrust this order to the sculptors V.I.Demut-Malinovsky, S.S.Pimenov, A.S. Anisimov, I.A.Kashchenkov, I.I.Vorotilov, I.I.Terebenev, P.P.Sokolov , M.P. Aleksandrov and I.M. Moiseev. However, the Commission considered their asking price too high. The order was put up for auction. Those who wanted to do the job for less money were found. According to the financial reports of the Commission, the authors of the allegorical figures at the Rostral columns were I. Camberlain and J. Thibault. Blacksmiths Shapov, Vasiliev and Korolkov were engaged in the production of anchors and rostras.

The brickwork of the Rostral columns and the masonry work were carried out by the team of the master S.K.Sukhanov.

Four figures at the foot of the Rostral columns are carved out of Pudost stone. Initially, Thomas de Thomon was supposed to place cast iron sculptures here, but no performers were found for such a complex work. In 1809, it was decided to create sculptures from stone, which was done in 1809-1813. The figures are considered to be allegories of Russian rivers: the Volga and the Dnieper at the northern Rostral column, the Volkhov and Neva at the southern one. However, two of the statues lack the attributes of rivers (vessels with pouring water), which makes it possible to argue about the actual interpretation of the sculptures. The figure of the Dnieper was made by a master from Antwerp, Camberlain. The other three are by Frenchman F. Thibault.

It is believed that initially the Rostral columns, 32 meters high, served as beacons for ships sailing to the once nearby commercial port. Resin was poured into a bowl on top and set on fire. Some historians have questioned this. After all, lighthouses are usually placed on the seashore, ocean. By the river - very rarely. And even more so, the need for lighthouses in the center is not obvious. big city... Perhaps the Rostral columns, as now, have always been only triumphal columns, and their torch burned only on holidays.

The decoration of the Rostral columns suffered greatly during the Great Patriotic War... They were pierced by fragments of bombs and shells and completely rusted. In 1947-1948 they were replaced with duplicates of patinated copper sheets. Then, including the quadrangular platforms, on which the bowl-lamps rest, were replaced. The restoration of the sculptural groups at the Rostral columns was supervised by the sculptor I. V. Krestovsky.

In 1957, gas was supplied to the burners of the Rostral columns.

In 1926-1928 and 1947-1949, restoration of the Rostral columns was carried out. The lost metal parts were replaced with their copies. The last restoration work took place in 1998-1999.

Where do the four great Russian rivers meet? Probably every Russian schoolchild knows the answer to this question - on the Spit of Vasilievsky Island. It is here that the Rostral columns are located, at the base of which there are four sculptures that personify the Volga, Volkhov, Neva and Dnieper rivers.

When the port of St. Petersburg was moved to Vasilievsky Island in the 1730s, an area began to form in its eastern part. Simultaneously with the construction of the new building of the Stock Exchange, architect Jean-François Thomas de Thomon is designing two columns that effectively fit into the overall architectural ensemble of Strelka. The rostral columns were installed in 1810, and at first they served as lanterns. They are lit at night or in heavy fog to ease the way for ships. The southern column shows the direction to the Bolshaya Neva, and the northern one - to the Malaya. Inside the column, in free space, there is a steep spiral staircase. It leads to a platform with a huge bowl. The entire structure is supported by a metal tripod. In the old days, hemp oil was poured into bowls and set on fire: during the burning, a huge column of flame was formed, while burning spray flew on the heads of passers-by. In 1896, for safety reasons and for ease of maintenance, electricity was supplied to the columns, but such lighting turns out to be very expensive. After the events of the October Revolution, the lanterns are inactive for a long time. And only in 1957, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the city, the lighthouses were supplied with gas. And on June 23, 1957, for the first time, seven meters high pillars of fire flared up over the Rostral columns. Nowadays, you can admire the burning lighthouses on holidays.

According to the idea of ​​Tom de Thomon, rostras were placed on the columns, made of metal, hollow inside and decorated with figures of various river gods. In ancient Rome, solemn columns were decorated with the prows of defeated enemy ships. It is these parts of the courts that are called "rostr". Decorating the columns with rostras, the architect strove to emphasize the power and grandeur of the Russian navy... History has preserved for us the names of the blacksmiths who made the rostras and anchors: Vasiliev, Shapov, Korolkov. Working on the project for a long time, the architect eventually chose the ideal proportions - the height of the Rostral columns is thirty-two meters.

The famous stonecutter-nugget Samson Sukhanov worked on the creation of the Rostral columns, who also worked on the colonnade of the Kazan Cathedral, the Alexander Column. It was he who, without using any measuring instruments, hewed out huge balls of granite, installed on the descent of the Spit of Vasilievsky Island. The columns themselves are made of red brick by an artel under his management.

The structures are built on granite foundations, which are simultaneously pedestals for four sculptures. The models of the figures were made by the architects Joseph Camberlain and Jean Thibault. At the northern column there are sculptures of the Dnieper and Volga, and at the southern - the Neva and Volkhov. The male figure, symbolizing the Dnieper, was performed by Camberlain, the rest by Thibault. Initially, it was supposed to cast statues from metal, cast iron or bronze, but this turned out to be expensive and laborious. Then it was decided to make the figures out of stone. But where to get decent material? The choice fell on a stone with an interesting property. In the village of Pudost, Gatchina region, lime tuff was mined, which has a pleasant yellow color and a soft porous structure. The newly mined stone is quite soft and easy to work with. In the air, it hardens, creating durable sculptures. The same Samson Sukhanov was entrusted with carving figures from Pudost limestone. And the master did not disappoint: for more than 200 years, the statues have been admired by Petersburgers and guests of the city. Alas, tuff is not able to withstand the St. Petersburg climate and polluted atmosphere, so now the figures have lost their original light yellow color.

The first restoration of the Rostral columns was carried out at the beginning of the 20th century, in 1928. At the same time, the lost metal parts were restored and the sculpture was cleared of foreign material. According to eyewitnesses, two or three carts of gypsum, cement, plaster were removed from each of the figures, and the columns themselves were painted with oil paints.

The following restoration work took place after the Great Patriotic War. The monument was badly damaged by shelling, some of the decorations were destroyed by shrapnel, and they had to be replaced. And finally, the last restoration took place in 1998-1999.

Now the monument is available for inspection at any time. The rostral columns look invariably impressive: both during white nights and in bright sunlight, both in the dark with artificial lighting, and in the usual gloomy St. Petersburg rain.

(from Lat. rostrum - the bow of the ship), monumental monuments symbolizing sea victories, the country's sea power. It is a free-standing column, the trunk of which is decorated with the noses of defeated ships or their sculptural images. The tradition of installing R. k. Goes back to Ancient Rome... Rocket ships became widespread during the period of classicism: in 1771-78 in the park of Tsarskoye Selo (now Pushkin), the Morey Column and the Chesme Column were erected in honor of the victories of the Russian fleet in the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-74 (architect A. Rinaldi), in early XIX v. two towers were erected to decorate the Spit of Vasilievsky Island (architect J. Thomas de Thomon). All masonry work during the construction of the stone-cutting complex was carried out under the supervision of the contractor S. K. Sukhanov. The height of each ship is 32 m; they are decorated with decorative bows of ships and images of anchors. At the foot of the R. k. 4 sculptures (made of pudost limestone according to the models of sculptors I. Camberlain and J. Thibault; according to tradition, it is believed that they symbolize 4 great Russian rivers: the Volga, Dnieper, Neva and Volkhov). On the tops of the columns, on square platforms, there are metal tripods with bowls (in the 19th century they were used as lighthouses when approaching the St. Petersburg seaport: oil was poured into the bowls, which was ignited at dusk). Access to the bowls is via spiral staircases arranged inside the columns. During the Great Patriotic War, the decorative decoration of the radio station suffered from fragments of artillery shells and aerial bombs. In 1947-49, all the details were replaced with duplicates made of patinated copper sheets, the sculptures at the foot of the building were restored (the head was the sculptor I.V. Krestovsky). In 1957, gas pipes were brought to the bowls of the lamps; during the celebration of the 250th anniversary of Leningrad, gas torches were first lit (since 1957, by tradition, they have been lit annually on the days of festivities and celebrations). At night, the R. k. And other structures of the Spit of Vasilievsky Island are illuminated by searchlights.

St. Petersburg. Petrograd. Leningrad: Encyclopedic Reference. - M .: Great Russian Encyclopedia. Ed. board: Belova L.N., Buldakov G.N., Degtyarev A. Ya. and others. 1992 .


See what "Rostral columns" are in other dictionaries:

    Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. Rostral columns. Saint Petersburg. Rostral columns (from Lat. Rostrum - the bow of a ship), monumental monuments symbolizing sea victories, the country's sea power. ... ... Encyclopedic reference book "St. Petersburg"

    Rostral Column in St. Petersburg Rostral Column, St. Petersburg (Night view) Rostral Column (Latin columna rostrata, from Latin rostrum the bow of a ship) a free-standing column decorated with the bows of ships or their sculptural ... ... Wikipedia

    - (from Latin rostrum the bow of the ship) columns, the trunks are decorated with the bows of the ships or their sculpt. images. The tradition of erecting rostra in honor of the pestilence. wins goes back to dr. Rome. In 1771 78 in Tsarskoe Selo in memory of victories in Russian. tour. war 1768 74 ... ... Russian humanitarian encyclopedic dictionary

    Columns decorated with rostras (see rostra1). New dictionary foreign words... by EdwART, 2009 ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

    Rostral colons (in Petersburg) ... Russian spelling dictionary

    - (In Petersburg) … orthographic dictionary Russian language

    Monument Rostral Columns ... Wikipedia

    TORCH- Rostral columns, on which gas torches are lit on holidays ... Petersburgers Dictionary

    This term has other meanings, see Rostral Column (disambiguation). Rostral column in St. Petersburg ... Wikipedia

    Coordinates: 59 ° 56′39 ″ s. NS. 30 ° 18'24 ″ in. d. / 59.944167 ° N NS. 30.306667 ° E etc ... Wikipedia

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Rostral columns

Arrow BO. Birzhevaya pl., 4x

1805-1810 - architect. Thomas de Thomon J.-F.

1926-1928, 1947-1949, 1997-1998 - restoration

Rostral columns - one of the symbols of St. Petersburg - are an integral part of the Strelka ensemble of Vasilievsky Island. Built according to the project of architect. J.-F. Thomas de Thomon at the same time as the central building of the Stock Exchange in 1805-1810. (the grand opening of the Exchange took place in 1816). Two monumental columns of the Doric order are installed at the descent to the Neva, on the sides of a semicircular square in front of the Exchange building. They were supposed to serve as beacons and at the same time emphasize the importance of the Exchange Building as the center of the Petersburg port. Rostral columns are also a monument of Russia's naval glory.

It took Tom de Thomon several years of searching to draft a new look for Arrow VO. While working on the architectural ensemble, he created several different versions of her image. The compositional idea of ​​the centrally located building of the Stock Exchange and the Rostral columns flanking it arose already in 1801. For a long time and carefully the architect worked on the adjustment of the proportions of the Rostral columns. In the initial design, the columns were decorative and small in size. Later, the Rostral columns were moved away from the Exchange building, their size was increased, and sculptural decor was introduced. The final project was approved on February 26, 1804. After the approval of the project, a "Commission for the construction of a stock exchange building and laying a stone on the Nevsky bank" was created, headed by NP Rumyantsev. Great importance was attached to the monumental structures of the rostral columns. This is evidenced by the fact that all work on their design and construction was carried out under the guidance of the Council of the Academy of Arts, headed by A.D. Zakharov.

Rostral columns (from the Latin rostrum - the bow of the ship) are monumental monuments symbolizing the naval victories and the country's sea power. The tradition of installing Rostral columns dates back to Ancient Rome. Rostral columns in Russia became widespread during the period of classicism.

Rostral columns appeared on the Spit of Vasilievsky Island in 1810. It is believed that one of them was a lighthouse for ships on the Malaya Neva, the other pointed the way to the Bolshaya Neva. The lighthouses were lit at night and in fog, and served until 1885, when the commercial port was transferred to Gutuevsky Island.

The height of each column is 32 m. The columns are decorated with metal sculptural images of rostras - the bows of ships and images of anchors. There are 4 sculptures at the foot of the Rostral columns. The sculpture is made of Pudost stone. On the tops, on square platforms, there are metal tripods with bowls-lamps. Access to the bowls is via spiral staircases arranged inside the columns. The columns rest on stepped granite foundations, which at the same time serve as pedestals for stone statues.

There is no consensus in the definition of the names of the figures at the foot of the Rostral columns. The assertion that allegorical images are presented here, personifying four Russian rivers (in the southern - "Volkhov" and "Neva", in the northern - "Dnepr" and "Volga"), is not supported by documents and arose relatively recently. Thomas de Thomon himself wrote that "the base of each column is decorated with huge figures that symbolize the deities of the sea and commerce." The sculptures' attributes are rather scanty, and none of them can confirm or completely refute the version that we have before us allegories of specific four rivers. Only thematic agreement with the sculptural design of the Stock Exchange and some attributes speak in favor of this point of view - one of the male figures right hand squeezes the steering oar, and the left one rests on a vessel from which water flows. The man at the second column leans on the lot with his left hand. Both women are depicted with nautical attributes; one of them also holds a cornucopia filled with fruits.

Tomon intended to cast all the decorations of the Rostral columns k from cast iron, but no one took up such a difficult job. Therefore, in 1809 it was decided to make sculptures from Pudost stone, and trophies from iron. The Pudost stone was mined in quarries near St. Petersburg, not far from Gatchina, in the town of Bolshaya Pudost. The structure of this stone does not allow for detailed elaboration of small volumes and surface polishing.

To create sculptural decoration of Rostral columns "Commission ..." applied to the Academy of Arts. The Council of the Academy of Arts decided to entrust this order to sculptors V.I.Demut-Malinovsky, S.S.Pimenov, A.S. Anisimov, I.A.Kashchenkov, I.I.Vorotilov, I.I.Terebenev, P.P.Sokolov , M.P. Aleksandrov and I.M. Moiseev. But the price they asked for seemed high to the academy, and a competition was announced. Those who wanted to make sculptural groups for a lower price were found. Later, the authors of the sculptures were identified. The allegorical statues were made according to the models of the Antwerp sculptor I. Camberlain (Dnieper) and the Frenchman J. Thibault (Neva, Volkhov and Volga), with whom Thomas de Thomon was well acquainted. The male figure on the northern column - the work of J. Camberlain differs from the others in its greater dynamism and complexity of the silhouette. ? Execution in 1809-1811.

Triumphal columns are traditionally associated with power and strength. These qualities are embodied in the monumental figures placed at the foot of the columns. The composition and plasticity of the figures are noteworthy, designed for viewing from afar. All the figures sit in a handwritten frozen pose, only restrained internal dynamics is guessed. The forms are revealed in general terms. The composition of the figures retains the feeling of a stone block, which emphasizes the monumentality of the figures.

The brickwork of the Rostral columns and the masonry work during the construction of the Rostral columns were carried out by the team of master S.K.Sukhanov. The production of anchors and rods was entrusted to the blacksmiths Shapov, Vasiliev and Korolkov.

The main decoration of the Rostral columns is the rostra. Since ancient times, anchors and rostras have served as trophies obtained in naval battles. On the trunk of each column, 8 ship rostras with various decorations are fixed symmetrically in 4 tiers. The largest pair of them is located at the bottom of the column. One bow is facing the Stock Exchange, and the other is facing the river. The rostra is decorated with the figure of a river deity - naiads. Another pair of rostras is perpendicular to the first; it is decorated with the image of the head of a crocodile, seahorses and fish. The third pair of rostras is adorned with the head of an aquatic, and the fourth - with images of seahorses. (newt, wolf)

The columns are also decorated with relief anchors.

Metal tripods with bowls are installed on the tops of the columns: in the 19th century. oil was poured into them, which was lit with the onset of dusk, and the Rostral columns served as beacons when approaching the St. Petersburg seaport. The bowls were accessed by spiral staircases inside the columns. Lighthouses served until 1885, they were lit in fog and at night. Inside the column there are spiral staircases leading to the upper platforms, where tripods with braziers are placed, intended for signal lights. At first, hemp oil was burned in the braziers, but hot spray fell down on the heads of passers-by. Then the resin was poured. In 1896, electric lamps were supplied to the lamps, but due to the high costs of electricity, this method of lighting was rejected.

The main work on the construction of the exchange ensemble ended in 1810.

During the Great Patriotic War, the decoration of the Rostral columns suffered from fragments of artillery shells and aerial bombs. The post-war restoration of the sculptural groups at the Rostral Columns was supervised by the sculptor I. V. Krestovsky. In 1947-1949 all parts were replaced with duplicates made of patinated copper sheets.

In 1957, gas was supplied to the bowls of the lamps. This year (belatedly) celebrated the 250th anniversary of St. Petersburg. During the days of the celebration, gas torches were lit for the first time. By tradition, they are lit annually on the days of festivities and celebrations.

Restoration work was carried out in 1926-1928 and 1947-1949. The latter took place in 1998-1999.

Pudost limestone, to a greater extent than other stone rocks, is subject to the destructive effects of temperature changes, precipitation, and industrial emissions. Therefore, the sculpture made of Pudost stone has to be restored frequently.

In the second half of the 1920s. the authorities of Leningrad were forced to urgently begin the restoration of city monuments (including the Rostral columns), tk. by this time, many of them were in a catastrophic state. Well-known professional sculptors were invited to carry out the restoration work. Supervised the work of the sk. I. V. Krestovsky. About the state of the monument, Krestovsky wrote: "The sculptures by the time of their restoration, carried out after the October Revolution, turned out to be painted with oil paint, and more than once, and each time with a new color. All sculptures from Pudozh limestone were ugly plastered with plaster, cement or plaster, not only in in places of breakdowns, but also in completely intact places. During the restoration of the stone figures of the Rostral columns, two or three carts of foreign cement, gypsum and plaster smears were removed from each of the figures. " And in the future, the restoration of the lost parts was carried out according to the established traditions - from cement mortars with the use of iron fastening rods and brackets, which became the cause of new destruction of natural stone. During subsequent repairs, which were usually carried out in a hurry on the eve of the celebration of anniversaries, iron pins and nails were driven into the stone in the places of loss, which served as reinforcement for cement finishing works. The destroyed parts of the figures were replaced with new ones, made of cement or carved out of another type of stone, and everything was covered with paint.

In 1996, the question arose about the next restoration. During the restoration of the sculpture of the Rostral Columns, a technique was used that was developed by the Research Institute "Spetsproektrestavratsiya" and tested by the Hermitage staff during the restoration of the Admiralty. First of all, the sculpture was washed, soot contamination was removed, and then bio-damage was neutralized. Later additions, made of foreign material that contributed to the destruction of the sculpture, have been removed. The cleaned stone was strengthened, and exact repetitions of the lost parts were installed in the damaged places, having performed them in the Pudost limestone. Fastening of missing parts, elimination of chips and cracks were carried out with a special composition of lime and marble chips. To fix the lost elements, hollow rods made of corundum ceramics were used. The core manufacturing technology was developed at the Institute of Refractories of St. Petersburg. Employees of the Research Institute "Spetsproektrestavratsiya" suggested using corundum ceramics in restoration practice. Baltonexim Bank financed the restoration work.

(O. Mozgovaya. Rostral columns - a symbol of sea victories. Journal. Science and Life. N 2. 2000.)

Now at night Rostral columns and other structures of the Spit of Vasilievsky Island are illuminated by searchlights. In youth slang, Rostral columns are called "Torches".

([*] - Leningrad. Planning and building. 1945-1957.)

(Shuisky V.K.Toma de Thomon. (Architect of our city). Lenizdat. 1981. S. 26-149.)

(Monumental and decorative sculpture of Leningrad. Art. Leningrad branch. 1991. S. 35, Mary)

(Encyclopedic reference. St. Petersburg. M. Great Russian Encyclopedia. Belova L. N.)

(I. Lisayevich. I. Betkher-Ostrenko. Sculpture of Leningrad. Publishing house Art. Leningrad. Moscow. 1965. S. 37-44., Mary)

(Lisovskiy V.G. Architecture of St. Petersburg, Three centuries of history. Slavia., St. Petersburg, 2004.

Pukinsky B. St. Petersburg 1000 questions and answers. Norint., St. Petersburg. 2007.)

(Gusarov A. Yu. Monuments military glory Petersburg. SPb, 2010)

(based on media material, Mary)

(Restoration of monuments of history and art in Russia in the XIX-XX centuries. History, problems: Tutorial... M., 2008.)