Who is Alexander Suvorov? His name is written in precious letters in the military history of Russia and in the world list of battles. The invincible commander is a symbol of heroism and serves as an example to many generations of Russian soldiers officers.
Suvorov and the northern capital
Alexander Suvorov lived in the city on the Neva for 10 years. The house where the legendary commander stayed, actually belonged to the husband of his niece, and it is located on the embankment of the Kryukov Canal. Petersburg was the beginning of Suvorov's career. Here in 1799, the Generalissimo died. The greatest military leader was buried in the Annunciation Cathedral on the territory of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.
Historical and architectural monuments are associated with the name of Suvorov in St. Petersburg: Tauride Palace, Menshikov Palace, Smolny Monastery. A year after the death of the great commander in chief, a monument was erected to him (the author of the sculpture M.I. Kozlovsky) on the Field of Mars. After 15 years, the monument was moved to Suvorov Square, where it is still located. Another monument adorns the central staircase of the General Staff Building. The figure of Alexander Vasilievich is part of the sculptural composition of the monument to Catherine II on Pushkin Square. In 1904, Suvorov's personal museum was opened in St. Petersburg.
Museum Milestones
At the end of the XIX century, Emperor Nicholas II ordered the creation of the Suvorov Commission to address the issue of perpetuating the memory of the unrivaled commander. The idea was to construct a specially designed and constructed building. In addition to finances allocated from the treasury, money was collected for large-scale construction throughout the country. To develop the project was honored by the architect von Gauguin. The Suvorov Museum (St. Petersburg) was built on the site of the parade parade of the Preobrazhensky Regiment.
Together with the whole country, the Suvorov Museum (St. Petersburg) was experiencing historical cataclysms. During World War II, the beginning of the 20th century and subsequent years of civil unrest, the collection of the panopticon was sent to Moscow. Returning back, the exhibits became part of the Artillery Museum. And in 1940 he moved under the arches of the Admiralty Museum, where the Suvorov Hall was specially equipped. During the bombing in the days of the Leningrad blockade, the building was partially destroyed.
The post-war years were marked by the restoration of a panopticon in a historical place under the guidance of the project author M. Plotnikov. The Suvorov Museum (St. Petersburg) opened in the status of military-historical in 1951. The ten-year overhaul, begun in 1988, successfully ended with the grand opening of the expositions and the museum building. During the restoration period, the former title was returned to the panopticon - the memorial museum of Suvorov in St. Petersburg.
Museum Architecture
The Suvorov Museum (St. Petersburg) outwardly recalls the traditions of ancient Russian architecture. The architectural ensemble combines a tower-fortress, two lateral limits and a palace porch. On the central part of the mansion the princely coat of arms of Alexander Vasilievich is hoisted. The tower is crowned with the emblem of Russia - a double-headed eagle.
On the right and left side of the facade, mosaic panels reflect the historical milestones of the Suvorov battles. The interior decoration of the museum is devoid of pretentiousness - high white ceilings and glazed tiles at the bottom of the walls. The floors in the halls are tiled with metlakh tiles, and under the eaves there are inscriptions with the names of places marked by the Suvorov victories.
Museum Collections and Expositions
The museum features three collections of genuine exhibits:
- The first includes personal items - weapons and rewards. It is donated by the descendants of Generalissimo.
- The second is composed of documentary evidence of the Suvorov era and received as a gift from the emperor.
- The third represents the legendary attributes of the commander's Swiss campaigns. It was transferred to the museum by the famous astronomer V.P. Engelhardt.
The central hall with a huge stained-glass window depicting the generalissimo occupies the main part of the mansion. On the pedestal of visitors are met the main Suvorov relics - weapons, awards, signs of military prowess. To the right and to the left of it are trophy guns - real guns captured by Suvorov’s troops in battles. On the walls of the hall are the banners of Russian regiments.
Expositions of other halls acquaint museum guests with the history of military campaigns and the brilliant victories of the commander. Arms of the Russian and foreign armies are presented here - from swords to guns, as well as portraits of military leaders, documents from the personal and imperial archives. The exhibits of the large hall are models of battles, the military uniform of ordinary and officers of that time. There is also an extensive collection of tin soldiers.
One of the small halls is completely devoted to the private life of Alexander Vasilievich. It presents personal items, icons, portraits of family members, objects of everyday life. A separate exposition is presented by gifts that Alexander Suvorov received from the imperial house.
Museum excursions
You can familiarize yourself with the exhibition halls of the museum on your own or with a guided tour. The Panopticon provides visitors with a choice of more than 10 thematic trips, including for people with visual impairments, as well as interactive tours and game classes in Russian history for schoolchildren.
By the New Year and the All-Russian week of children's books in the museum organized thematic events for kids and teens. Every year in November, the celebration of the commander’s birthday and the opening day of the museum are held.
