Krylov's monument, Bronze monument in Summer Garden, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Krylov's monument is a bronze statue showing a seated man holding a pen and notebook, positioned in the central part of Summer Garden in Saint Petersburg. The pedestal below features 36 bronze relief panels depicting scenes from his fables, wrapped completely around the base.
The monument was erected in 1855 and became the first in Russia dedicated to a writer. Funding for the project came from a nationwide fundraising campaign, reflecting how widely read and loved Krylov was throughout the country.
The pedestal displays scenes from Krylov's fables that Russian readers grew up with, making the monument a gathering point for those familiar with these beloved stories. Visitors can recognize the animal characters and plot moments carved into the bronze as they walk around the base.
The monument is located near the Tea House in the garden and can be easily reached on foot during a walk through the space. The spot offers a quiet setting to pause and examine the reliefs without rushing.
The sculptor transformed his workshop into a small zoo while working on the reliefs to ensure the animal figures were anatomically accurate. This effort to observe real creatures paid off in the remarkably lifelike details visible on the pedestal today.
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