Thunder-stone

Categories / Architecture/Sculpture, Monuments
THUNDER-STONE, the name of the granite monolith, that serves as a pedestal to the equestrian statue of Emperor Peter the Great (see Bronze Horseman). It was discovered in 1768 in the forest near Konnaya Lakhta village by a local, S.G. Vishnyakov, (it was named the Thunder-stone because according to legend thunder split a piece of it). Sculptor E. Falconet intended to work it on the spot, but Empress Catherine II ordered to deliver it to St. Petersburg in its original shape. On 1 April 1769, the land transportation of the thunder-stone (weighing 1.6 thousand tonnes) started. To transport it by sea a special ship, Korchebnikov's vessel, was constructed. On 26 September 1770, the thunder-stone was mounted on Senate Square. To commemorate this event at Empress Catherine II's behest a bronze medal with the legend "Close to Daring” was issued.

Reference: Иванов Г. И. Камень-Гром. СПб., 1994.

I. A. Bogdanov. Catherine II, Empress
Falconet Etienne Maurice
Korchebnikov Grigory
Peter I, Emperor
Vishnyakov S.G.
Иванов Г. И. Камень-Гром. СПб., 1994 Bronze Horseman
1770