About this place
The Francisco de Miranda monument in Petersburg stands in the Park of the 300th Anniversary of St. Petersburg. It is one of the more unexpected Latin American touches in Russia's northern capital, and it commemorates a Venezuelan revolutionary whose life briefly crossed paths with the city on the Neva in the late 18th century.
Who was Francisco de Miranda?
Sebastián Francisco de Miranda y Rodríguez de Espinoza was a Venezuelan military leader and revolutionary. He fought in the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolution, and later took part in efforts to free Spain's American colonies. His own plan did not succeed, but he is regarded as a precursor of Simón Bolívar and the other, more successful Libertadores. He is known as the Precursor of Latin American Independence, and in Venezuela he is remembered as the "First Universal Venezuelan" and the "Great Universal American".
Why is there a monument in Petersburg?
Miranda visited Petersburg in 1787. According to the city's Committee for External Relations, he met Grigory Potemkin here, who introduced him to Empress Catherine II. She granted him the rank of colonel. This visit is the reason the city agreed to host a monument to a hero from the other side of the world.
How the monument came about
A foundation-stone ceremony took place on 26 November 2010 in the Park of the 300th Anniversary of St. Petersburg, attended by Venezuela's ambassador. The finished monument was unveiled in March 2012. The sculptor is Venezuelan, and the statue was donated to Russia by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez at the time. It is a gift with a clear diplomatic meaning, symbolising ties between the two countries.
What you will see
The monument is a full-length figure of Miranda set in a park on the western edge of the city, by the Gulf of Finland. The park was created on the waterfront and is a popular place for walks, so a visit to the statue is easy to combine with a stroll along the shore.
A local legend
Locals tell a charming story: rubbing the left shoe of the statue is said to bring a calm and happy family life. It is also believed to bless newlyweds, so you may occasionally spot young couples at the monument. As a result, the left shoe of the figure is often noticeably polished.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Francisco de Miranda monument in Petersburg? In the Park of the 300th Anniversary of St. Petersburg.
When was it unveiled? In March 2012. The foundation stone was laid in November 2010.
Who donated the monument? The statue was given to Russia by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
What connects Miranda to Petersburg? In 1787 he visited the city, met Potemkin and was received by Catherine II, who gave him the rank of colonel.
Is there an entry fee? The monument stands in an open city park, so no ticket is needed to see it.
Who is it for?
History lovers who enjoy offbeat stories linking distant continents, and visitors exploring the western districts of Petersburg and the Gulf of Finland shore. It is a short, quiet stop that shows how far the story of a Latin American revolutionary reached, all the way to the court of Catherine the Great.
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