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Senate Square (Saint Petersburg) facts for kids

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St. Isaac's Cathedral and Senate Square
St. Isaac's Cathedral and Senate Square

Senate Square (Russian: Сенатская площадь) is a famous city square in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It sits on the left bank of the Bolshaya Neva river, right in front of the grand Saint Isaac's Cathedral. This square has a long history and has been known by a few different names over the years.

A Square with Many Names

For a long time, from 1782 to 1925, the square was officially called Peter's Square (Петровская площадь). This name honored Peter the Great, a very important Russian emperor. His famous statue, the Bronze Horseman, has stood there since 1782.

Later, from the 1920s until 2008, the square was known as Decembrists' Square (Площадь Декабристов). This name was given to remember a big historical event called the Decembrist Revolt. This event happened right on the square in December 1825.

On July 29, 2008, the square went back to its original name, Senate Square.

Important Buildings Around the Square

Senate Square is surrounded by several important buildings. To the east, you'll find the impressive Admiralty building. This building used to be the headquarters for the Russian Navy.

On the west side of the square are the Senate Building and the Senate and Synod Building. The Senate Building was once home to the Governing Senate of the Russian Empire. Today, the Senate and Synod Building is where the Constitutional Court of Russia is located.

The Bronze Horseman Statue

One of the most famous landmarks on Senate Square is the Bronze Horseman monument. This large statue honors Peter the Great, who founded Saint Petersburg. It shows him riding a horse, looking very powerful. The statue was put in place in 1782, which is why the square was once called Peter's Square. It's a symbol of the city and its history.

See also

  • List of squares in Saint Petersburg
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