Statue de Pierre le Grand, Russian imperial monument in Antwerp, Belgium
The statue of Peter the Great is a bronze sculpture depicting the Russian tsar standing upright on a ship-shaped pedestal decorated with a wind rose. Two ornamental angels adorn the base, and inscriptions in two languages are carved into the stone.
The monument commemorates Russian Tsar Peter the Great's visit to Antwerp in April 1717, when he disembarked at this very location. This historical moment represents one of the notable encounters between Russia and the Low Countries during the early modern period.
The inscriptions on the pedestal appear in both Dutch and Russian, marking a place where two nations connected through shared history and trade. Visitors can read the names and words that bridge these two cultures at this specific location.
The monument stands on Kloosterstraat opposite St. Michael's Abbey and is easy to reach on foot from central Antwerp. The surrounding area has many antique shops and bookstores, making it a pleasant spot to explore while walking through the neighborhood.
The monument was created in 1998 by Georgian sculptor Georgy Frangulyan and financed by Russian banks with support from Belgian Slavicist Emmanuel Waegemans. This partnership between a non-Russian artist and international sponsors gives the work its distinct character and cross-border significance.
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