Monument to Ioannis Kapodistrias

tatdt (65)in Photography • 3 years ago

Ioannis Kapodistrias (John Capodistrias) was the first ruler of independent Greece (1827-1831). He was born on the island of Corfu and graduated from the University of Padua. Ioannis Kapodistrias began his career as State Secretary of the Republic of Ionian Islands. So why is the monument to this statesman erected in St. Petersburg?

Thomas Lawrence. Portrait of Ioannis Kapodistrias. Collection of the Royal Palace of Windsor, London

I asked myself this question and realized how little I know about the European history of the early XIX century. The Great French Revolution, Napoleon, the war of the 12th ... but different details seemed to me insignificant and poorly preserved in my memory. Especially if Alexander Dumas did not write about these episodes of one of his novels.

Ioannis Kapodistrias went to service in Russia after the Treaty of Tilsit in 1807. He held diplomatic positions: he was secretary of the embassy, accompanied Emperor Alexander I, managed the Ministry's office. Ioannis Kapodistrias had a brilliant diplomatic career in Russia, but returned home to become the first elected ruler of independent Greece.

Greek Church
Church of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki at the Greek Embassy, 1900 - 1903

The monument to Ioannis Kapodistrias was erected in St. Petersburg on Greek Square on May 29, 2003. Greek Square received its name from the Greek Church, full name: Church of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki at the Greek Embassy. But Ioannis Kapodistrias could not see this church, it was built only in 1860s. This church was demolished during the Soviet regime. In place of the church was built a concert hall. Russian poet Joseph Brodsky wrote piercing poems about the demolition of this church, beginning with words: “Now so few Greeks in Leningrad”:

It was late night
And I was sitting on the apse’s rubble.
The darkness looked inside through gaps.
And I looked outward at lanterns,
Dim light, and running trams
Еhrough these holes in the altar.

Concert Hall Oktyabrsky

The monument to Ioannis Kapodistrias is part of the European excursion route, I photographed the information board, which gives the opportunity to get more information: