The story goes that this statue of Peter the Great was originally going to be Christopher Columbus – a present to the US from Russia. The Americans, however, took one look at it and said, ‘No, thanks, bub,’ and who can blame them?
Someone asked what the buildings I have been photographing might have looked like in Soviet times,
The last two are yet another church, in a different style, and the Red October chocolate factory, a Moscow riverside landmark for 100 -odd years. The company is moving to new, modern premises and the building is being transformed into premium apartments. The logo says ‘Krasnyi Oktyabr,’ (Red October.)
Boadicea's Chariot 
I read your title in the voice of Jeremy Clarkson…
Hmm. Looks like it was designed by a committee. 🙂
Looks very climb-able though. I suppose local youths don’t challenge each other to reach the crow’s nest for fear of Consequences?
Pseu 🙂
Jan, Correct – remember what I said abiut spending any time at all in the establishments of the local constabulary:-)
I’d love to climb up and have a photo taken with me helping to steer the thing. I reckon I could squeeze in between the wheel and the captain.
How tall are you Pseu? The statue is 165′ high; Old Pete is, what, a bit less than a quarter of the whole? Say about 30′? So the botom spoke of the wheel reaches just below his, erm, skirt, sya bout 8-9′ up?
I’m 5’9″
So I’d be an ankle biter of the nautical kind?
Maybe I could tickle his knee caps?
Pseu, you’d have to swim to get there – only about 60′ or so, but I bet the Moskva is a lot colder than your local pool 🙂
Bravo; it’s quite unbelievably hideous!
The statue’s quite ‘busy’; too much crammed into it. I agree with Jan though, it begs to be climbed.
I think the statue is quite fascinating… it’s like something out of Peter Pan…
Thanks for the pictures, Bravo. Some of those buildings are in need of a refurbish. 🙂