The Narva Triumphal Arch |
This is a monument honouring Russia's victory in the War of 1812.
The Narva Arch was originally built of wood after a design by Giacomo Quarenghi to welcome
the Guards regiments returning from Paris in the summer of 1814. In 1827-34 Vasily Stasov
replaced the wooden structure with one of stone and metal.
The arch is ornamented with Corinthian columns and crowned by a
triumphal chariot. Standing in the chariot is Nike, the winged goddess of victory, with a
palm branch and laurel wreath in her hands, the symbols of peace and glory. 
The group was executed by three
outstanding Russian sculptors - Piotr Klodt, Vasily Demuth-Malinovsky and Stepan Pimenov.
The material is beaten copper. On low pedestals in the niches between the columns are four
figures of warriors in ancient Russian armour holding laurel wreaths. These were modelled
by Pimenov and Demuth-Malinovsky. Listed in superimposed gilt letters above the figures
are the regiments of the Russian Army that took part in the War of 1812.
On the cornice are eight figures of the genii of Glory and Peace by Mikhail Krylov and Nikolai Tokarev. Between these, at the edge of the attic, is a list of the main battles fought by Guards regiments.