Peter De Grote Monument — Attraction in Antwerp

A bronze full-size sculpture of the Tsar is standing on a low, ship-shaped pedestal. The monumental figure of the Tsar “grows out” of the wind rose engraved on the uneven surface of the “deck”. The monument is decorated with two angels and two coats of arms — the emblems of Antwerp and Russia. The monument is 2.5 meters tall.

The monument stands opposite the St. Michael’s Abbey in Kloosterstraat where the Russian Tsar stayed in April 1717. The sculpture is very well located in a small public garden in a busy street (which features second-hand booksellers, antique stores and a semi-pedestrian area).

The pedestal has inscriptions in both Dutch and Russian reading: “Hier zette in 1717 de Russische tsaar Peter de Grote voet aan wal” and “На это место ступил Пётр Великий в 1717” (Peter the Great set his foot here in 1717). On the rear of the sculpture, there is the sculptor’s signature in the form of a monogram of the letters “F” and “G” and the year “1998”.

The monument was created by sculptor Georgy Frangulyan (born in 1945) coming from Tbilisi. The work was financed by Russian banks on the initiative of the Antwerp-based firm Art Group International and Belgian Slavicist Emmanuel Waegemans.

The monument was officially inaugurated on...

I find it unethical and disappointing keeping a monument for russian first successful coloniser. It represents disrespect for all people that have suffered repressions, manmade famine and all different torture that russian empire has endured on its colonies. And still enduring.

Finding it personally hurtful passing every time, with my small daughter that I was forced to evacuate and live in a foreign country BECAUSE of russian imperialistic and genocidal ambitions that Peter “the great” has founded.

It’s not the best time to celebrate such personality or any representation of russian culture, especially when your country has given shelter to lots of victims of russian aggression. in generations.

I’m sure Belgium has great minds to celebrate and give this spot to people that didn’t start the centuries...

Great place. So quiet and homely place in the downtown of the so great city as Antwerpen! Should be visited everyone who interested in the history of Russia. Many thanks to Belgians for this...