Peter the Great Statue
Monument Colossal Moscow statue of Peter the Great
On the Moskva River, Zurab Tsereteli’s Peter the Great statue is a towering late-20th-century monument; river cruises and riverside walks provide close-up views of the massive sculptural work.
The Monument to Peter I (commonly called the Peter the Great Statue) is a large public sculpture standing on the Moskva River in central Moscow; it was created by Zurab Tsereteli and unveiled in 1997. The ensemble is approximately 98 metres tall, making it one of the tallest statues in the city.
The work depicts Peter the Great aboard a stylised ship with towering masts and is notable for its scale and complex arrangement of bronze forms. The statue is most often seen from river cruises and the adjacent river embankments, where its full height and the ship silhouette are easiest to photograph.
The monument was commissioned and executed by sculptor Zurab Tsereteli and installed in the late 1990s; it remains a modern public sculpture rather than a historic memorial. It has been a permanent landmark on the Moskva River since its unveiling.
The statue sits directly on the Moskva River within central Moscow, positioned so it is visible from several central embankments and from passing river traffic.
- Height: The monument is one of the tallest sculptures in Russia at about 98 metres high and is visible across much of central Moscow.
- Artist and date: Created by Georgian-Russian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli and unveiled in 1997.
- Viewing tips: Best public viewpoints include Moskva River cruises and the river embankments near the monument, which allow close photographic views of the ship and figure.
How to Get to Peter the Great Statue #
The statue sits near the western bend of the Moskva River. From central Moscow, take the Metro to Park Kultury or Frunzenskaya and walk along the embankment; taxis and river boats also provide access. Expect busy traffic on nearby roads.
Tips for Visiting Peter the Great Statue #
- If photographing, go at golden hour when the complex curves catch the low light; mid-day can wash out details.
- Pair a visit with a walk along the Moskva River embankments to see contrasting Soviet and imperial Moscow architecture.
- Book any boat or guided tour that includes the Moskva River stretch near the statue for the best waterfront angle.
Best Time to Visit Peter the Great Statue #
Summer is the most visitor-friendly season for seeing the Peter the Great Statue and the surrounding Moskva River area.
Weather & Climate near Peter the Great Statue #
Peter the Great Statue's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (690 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -5°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. The wettest month with 88 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.