Monument to Nicholas I, Saint Petersburg

Name: Monument to Nicholas I
Address: Isaakiyevskaya Square, Saint Petersburg, Russia

#44 among attractions in Saint Petersburg

Auguste de Montferrand, Monuments and statues

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Monument to Nicholas I, Saint Petersburg

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Godot13 / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Kora27 / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Дмитрий Cкляренко / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Suicasmo / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / INeverCry / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / MHlopov / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Ealdgyth / URL

Facts and practical information

In the heart of Saint Petersburg, Russia, stands the imposing Monument to Nicholas I, a regal tribute to the former Russian Emperor. This bronze equestrian statue, situated on St. Isaac's Square, depicts Tsar Nicholas I mounted on a horse, symbolizing his strong leadership and military prowess. Erected in 1859, the monument is a remarkable example of mid-19th-century sculpture and is one of the few equestrian statues in the world with only two support points (the horse's rear legs).

The statue was designed by the French sculptor Auguste de Montferrand, who is also known for his architectural masterpiece, St. Isaac's Cathedral, which provides a stunning backdrop to the monument. The technical achievement of balancing such a massive structure on two points was highly innovative at the time and remains a significant attraction to both tourists and engineering enthusiasts.

Nicholas I was a prominent figure in Russian history, known for his conservative policies and efforts to maintain autocratic rule. His reign from 1825 to 1855 saw the country's expansion and the establishment of Russian influence in Europe. The monument not only honors his rule but also serves as a symbol of the imperial grandeur of Russia's past.

Standing at over 6 meters tall, the monument is an impressive sight, with intricate details on the emperor's uniform and the horse's ornate trappings. The pedestal is adorned with bas-reliefs that depict scenes from Nicholas I's reign, adding to the historical narrative encapsulated by the statue.

Local name: Памятник Николаю I Opened: 7 July 1859 (164 years ago)Coordinates: 59°55'56"N, 30°18'30"E

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Isaakiyevskaya SquareАдмиралтейский район (Адмиралтейский)Saint Petersburg Russia

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Day trips

Monument to Nicholas I – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Saint Isaac's Cathedral, Moika Palace, Saint Isaac's Square, Mariinsky Palace.

~840 ftNW
Ornate religious edifice with gold dome
Saint Isaac's Cathedral, Saint Petersburg
5 min walk • Saint Isaac's Cathedral, a majestic architectural landmark, towers over the skyline of Saint Petersburg, Russia. This stunning edifice, completed in 1858 after 40 years of construction, is one of the most impressive examples of Russian Orthodox churches.
~1960 ftSW
Grand palace museum with ornate decor
Moika Palace, Saint Petersburg
10 min walk • Nestled on the embankment of the Moika River in the heart of Saint Petersburg, the Moika Palace, also known as the Yusupov Palace, is a cultural treasure and a testament to the opulence of Russia's noble past. This grandiose residence, once owned by the wealthy...
~400 ftNW
Park
Saint Isaac's Square, Saint Petersburg
2 min walk • Saint Isaac's Square is a majestic and historically significant public space located in the heart of Saint Petersburg, Russia. Dominated by the grandeur of Saint Isaac's Cathedral, the square is a testament to the city's imperial past and architectural prowess.
~540 ftSE
Grand palace and former imperial residence
Mariinsky Palace, Saint Petersburg
3 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Saint Petersburg, Russia, the Mariinsky Palace stands as a magnificent example of Imperial architecture and a testament to the city's rich history. This grand residence, with its ornate facade and stately interiors, offers a glimpse into the...
~1270 ftW
Museum, History museum
Museum of the History of Religion, Saint Petersburg
7 min walk • The Museum of the History of Religion is a museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was created in 1932 by a decision of the Presidium of the Soviet Academy of Sciences as the Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism basing in the former Kazan Cathedral until 2000.
~640 ftW
Museum, History museum
Nabokov House, Saint Petersburg
4 min walk • Nabokov House is a house in Saint Petersburg with the modern street number of 47 Great Morskaya Street, 190000.
~200 ftSE
Bridge
Blue Bridge, Saint Petersburg
1 min walk • The Blue Bridge, is a 97.3-metre-wide bridge that spans the Moika River in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The Blue Bridge is the widest bridge in Saint Petersburg and is sometimes claimed to be the widest bridge in the world – a claim, however, that has not been recognized by international reference works, such as the Guinness World Records.
0.4 miN
Empire architecture, Architecture, Historical place
Admiralty, Saint Petersburg
11 min walk • The Admiralty Building is the former headquarters of the Admiralty Board and the Imperial Russian Navy in Central St. Petersburg, Russia and the current headquarters of the Russian Navy.
~1730 ftNW
Square, Historical place
Senate Square, Saint Petersburg
9 min walk • Senate Square, formerly known as Decembrists' Square from the 1920s to 2008, and as Peter's Square, from 1782 to 1925, is a city square in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is situated on the left bank of the Bolshaya Neva, in front of Saint Isaac's Cathedral.
~1300 ftE
Bridge
Red Bridge, Saint Petersburg
7 min walk • The Red Bridge, is a single-span bridge across the Moika River in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The bridge is a part of Gorokhovaya Street. The length of the bridge is 42 m; the width is 16.8 m. The first cast iron bridge on the site was designed and built in 1808-1813 to a design by William Heste.
~1580 ftN
Riverside park with gardens and paths
Alexander Garden, Saint Petersburg
8 min walk • The Alexander Garden lies along the south and west façades of the Russian Admiralty in St. Petersburg, parallel to the Neva River and Admiralty Quay, extending from Palace Square in the east to St. Isaac's Cathedral in the west.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Monument to Nicholas I?

Nearby attractions include Blue Bridge, Saint Petersburg (1 min walk), Saint Isaac's Square, Saint Petersburg (2 min walk), Mariinsky Palace, Saint Petersburg (3 min walk), Nabokov House, Saint Petersburg (4 min walk).

How to get to Monument to Nicholas I by public transport?

The nearest stations to Monument to Nicholas I:

Bus

Исаакиевская площадь • Lines: 10, 22, 27, 3, 70, 71 (1 min walk)
Исаакиевский собор • Lines: 10, 22, 27, 3 (5 min walk)

Trolleybus

Малая Морская улица • Lines: 22, 5 (5 min walk)
улица Якубовича • Lines: 22, 5 (6 min walk)

Metro

Адмиралтейская • Lines: 5 (9 min walk)
Садовая • Lines: 5 (13 min walk)

Tram

Сенная площадь • Lines: 3 (13 min walk)
станция метро Сенная площадь • Lines: 3 (13 min walk)

Ferry

Дворцовая пристань (19 min walk)

Train

St Petersburg Vitebskii (31 min walk)