The Bronze Horseman is one of many commemorative statues that can be found throughout Russia, and in Saint Petersburg in general. This one in particular commemorates Peter the Great, and depicts a horse and rider, forged in Bronze. The statue, despite its obvious merit as a work of art, didn’t rise to prominence until famous Russian poet Pushkin made it the subject of a poem by the same name in 1833. It is considered to be one of the greatest examples of Russian literature, and that alone makes this sight worth a visit for Russian tourists.
The statue of the Bronze Horseman can be found in the Decembrists Square of Saint Petersburg, itself home to many significant historical events that ought to appeal to tourists. Its construction was commissioned by Catherine the Great, who is commemorated with her own nearby statue. Perhaps as famous as the statue itself is its base, a massive boulder known as the “Thunder Stone”. Legend has it that the stone’s intricate, well-composed edges were cut out of the earth by bolts of lightning, a testament to the Russian flair for the dramatic that makes landmarks like this such a treat.