Isaakievskaya Square, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 190000
The monument to the Russian Emperor Nicholas I, located on St. Isaac's Square, was created by the architect Auguste de Montferrand in 1856. It is installed on the same axis as the famous Bronze Horseman, facing the same direction — they are separated only by St. Isaac's Cathedral. Due to Nicholas I's vanity and pride, a saying quickly appeared among the people: "A fool catches up with a wise man, but Isaac gets in the way." Emperor Nicholas I wanted to resemble his great predecessor Peter I, but he had a completely different idea of governing the country, which earned him the nickname "Nicholas Palkin" among the people — because of numerous repressions and strict control.
