The Bronze Horseman in St. Petersburg — Online Webcam

Live Broadcast from Senate Square

The online webcam opens a view of one of the most recognizable symbols of St. Petersburg — the monument to Peter I, known as the Bronze Horseman. The broadcast is conducted from the English Embankment, offering a panoramic view of Senate Square, the Rowing Canal, and the historical buildings of the Admiralteysky District. The camera operates in real-time mode, allowing you to observe the life of the city at any time of day.

St. Petersburg is famous for its monumental architecture, and the Bronze Horseman holds a special place in the panorama of the Northern Capital. The online broadcast provides an opportunity to see the monument in the context of the surrounding urban landscape: the stone bridge over the Rowing Canal, the embankment with historical buildings, and the golden dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral in the background.

History of the Monument: From Catherine II to the Present Day

The grand opening of the monument took place on August 18 (August 7, old style) 1782 by order of Catherine II. Sculptor Étienne-Maurice Falconet worked on the creation of the monument for over a decade, and the result became one of the greatest achievements of 18th-century European sculpture.

Interestingly, the monument is made of bronze, and the name "The Bronze Horseman" was cemented thanks to Alexander Pushkin's famous poem. Before that, in official documents, the monument was referred to as "Peter the Great" or "Peter I." Pushkin's work became so deeply embedded in cultural usage that the poetic name became the primary one.

The head of Peter I was sculpted not by Falconet himself, but by his student Marie-Anne Collot, who recreated the emperor's likeness from a death mask and lifetime portraits. This was one of the few cases in the history of 18th-century monumental art where a woman sculptor made such a significant contribution to the creation of a major monument.

The pedestal of the monument is the "Thunder Stone," a single natural boulder which, according to Falconet's design, symbolized "wild Russia" being tamed by an "enlightened monarch". The delivery of this giant boulder from Karelia became a separate engineering feat of the era.

Senate Square: The Heart of Historic St. Petersburg

Senate Square, where the Bronze Horseman stands, is located in the very center of St. Petersburg, between the Rowing Canal and the Admiralty Embankment. This place has always been one of the city's main public spaces. Today, the square is surrounded by historical buildings of classical European architecture with numerous windows and decorative elements.

From the camera at Senate Square, you can see how different eras of St. Petersburg intersect: the bronze Peter I looks toward the Neva, and behind the Alexander Garden rises St. Isaac's Cathedral — one of the main landmarks, visible 300 meters behind the Alexander Garden. The golden dome of the cathedral serves as a landmark and adorns the panorama broadcast by the webcam.

Nearby are the Admiralty and the Admiralty Embankment — another symbol of the city that often falls within the online camera's view. The architectural ensemble of this district was formed over three centuries and today represents a unique combination of Baroque, Classicism, and Empire styles.

What's Visible on the Broadcast: Panorama Details

The webcam overlooking the Bronze Horseman shows not only the monument itself but also the surrounding urban landscape. In the center of the frame is the Rowing Canal (often called the Griboyedov Canal), spanned by a stone bridge. Along the canal runs a road with vehicle traffic, with parked and moving cars visible.

The canal embankment is lined with historical buildings featuring characteristic St. Petersburg architecture: stucco moldings, bay windows, and wrought-iron railings. Trees grow along the embankment, and railings are installed. In the background on the left, the golden dome of a church building is visible — this is St. Isaac's Cathedral, dominating the district's panorama.

The camera is positioned so that the frame also captures the pier on the English Embankment, offering a view of Senate Square. This allows you to observe not only the monument but also the movement along the embankment, the tourists who traditionally visit this place, and the everyday life of the city.

Seasonal Features and Time of Day

The Bronze Horseman in St. Petersburg looks different depending on the season and time of day. The online webcam allows you to see these changes in real time. In winter, the Rowing Canal freezes over, snow covers the stone bridge and embankment, and the monument against the white landscape acquires a special graphic quality.

In summer, the trees along the embankment create a green backdrop, pleasure boats move along the canal, and in the evening, artistic illumination transforms the panorama. At night, the Bronze Horseman is lit by spotlights, creating a dramatic effect against the dark sky.

During city holidays — City Day (May 27), Navy Day, school graduation evenings — the square fills with people, and the broadcast shows the scale of events. The online camera becomes a window into the festive atmosphere of St. Petersburg for those outside the city.

How to Get to the Bronze Horseman

Senate Square is within walking distance of several metro stations. The nearest metro station is "Admiralteyskaya," from which you need to walk about 5–7 minutes along the Admiralty Embankment. Also within walking distance are the "Sadovaya" and "Sennaya Ploshchad" stations, from which you can reach the square through the Alexander Garden or along the Griboyedov Canal embankment.

For those arriving by car, there are parking spaces along the Rowing Canal, although parking in the city center is often difficult. Public transport — buses and trolleybuses — also runs along nearby streets, making the square accessible from any part of the city.

Tourists who want to see the Bronze Horseman in person after watching the online broadcast often combine visiting the monument with exploring other landmarks in the area: St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Admiralty, the Alexander Garden, and a walk along the Neva embankments.

Interesting Facts About the Monument

The Bronze Horseman is surrounded by many legends and beliefs. One of the most famous is associated with the bronze snake located under the horse's hooves. There is a tourist superstition: if you touch the bronze snake under the horse's hooves, it will bring you luck. Over the years of the monument's existence, the snake has been polished to a shine by thousands of hands.

During the Great Patriotic War, the monument was protected from bombing and shelling by a special shelter — a wooden sarcophagus with sandbags. Legend has it that the Bronze Horseman was not hit by a single shell, although surrounding buildings suffered serious damage.

The monument weighs about 20 tons, and the pedestal is over 7 meters high. Despite its size, the monument gives an impression of lightness and dynamism: the horse is rearing, and Peter I points his hand toward the Neva, symbolizing the direction of the Russian Empire's development.

The webcam overlooking the Bronze Horseman allows you to appreciate the scale of the monument in the context of the urban environment — it dominates the square while harmoniously fitting into the architectural ensemble of embankments and bridges.

Technical Features of the Broadcast

The online camera at Senate Square operates around the clock, providing continuous real-time broadcasting. The image quality allows you to see details of the monument, the architecture of surrounding buildings, and movement along the embankment. The camera is installed on the pier on the English Embankment opposite Senate Square, providing an optimal viewing angle.

The broadcast is available for free and does not require registration. Users can observe changes in weather, lighting, and activity on the square at any time — whether it's morning rush hour, a daytime tourist walk, or evening illumination of the monument.

For those interested in the current situation in the center of St. Petersburg, the webcam overlooking the Bronze Horseman serves as a convenient tool: you can assess the congestion of the embankment, see what the city looks like at a specific moment, and plan a visit to the area taking into account weather conditions.

What You Can See on the Camera

The webcam captures a panorama of Senate Square with the Bronze Horseman at the center. In the foreground is the Rowing Canal with a stone bridge, across which cars move. Along the embankment are historical buildings of classical European architecture with decorative elements. In the background on the left, the golden dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral is visible. Trees grow along the canal, and railings are installed. The camera is aimed at the urban landscape with a water feature, bridge, and city infrastructure.