TRIUMPHAL ARCHES OF NOVOCHERKASSK

Between the years 1814 and 1817, two identical triumphal arches were constructed at the entrance and the exit of the city of Novocherkassk in honor of the victory of Russian arms in the Patriotic War of 1812, and the praticipation in this victory by the Don Cossacks. This was done by order of Count M. Platov, Ataman of the Don troops and hero of the Patriotic War.

The arches are built from stone and brick. Their architectural description is as follows.

The arches are made in the style of late classicism. Each massive pylon has arched opening and decorated by a severe paneled belt. Twelve pillars of powerful Doric order solemnly and majestically develop the theme of victory. Each pillar is crowned by a small ledge and stone ball. The volume of the arches, plastically integral in its parts and details, is crowned by an Attic with bronze trophy consisting of Cossack equipment and military objects: chain mail, flags, sabers, shields, cannons and cannon-balls. The armor, in combination with the figures of Glory flying above the arches of the entrances, heightens the particular memorial resonance of the monument.

The emotional power of those triumphal arches is heightened by the felicitous choice of site. From the foot of the northern arch, a view opens over the foot-lands of the river, and from the west arch, over the hilly slopes of the Aksaisky heights.

The author of the project of the arches is unknown. Probably it was the well-known architect Aloysius (Luigi) Ruska, who designed a lot for Novocherkask. His brother Hieronymus Ruska, author of the first project for the military cathedral, worked here in 1812-1818.

The troop architect K. Peikor had a direct relationship to the creation of the arches, as during those years he managed all construction in the city.

At the Soviet period the arches were neglected and all bronze decorations were removed and melted down. A secret ban was imposed on mention of the arches' meaning. Among the population, there was an absurd legend that the arches were built for a visit of Empress Catherine the Great and Potemkin on their way to the Crimea. (However, at that time Novocherkask did not exist, aside from which the road to Crimea is situated much further to the west). Probably, this wild version appeared because one of Catherine's coaches was in the Donskoy museum. It should be noted that for every historic monument or actual event that happened in the Don, there is an exotic fiction.

In recent years, due to efforts of the town authorities, the restoration of the north arch was done. The decorative elements, balls and bas-reliefs were restored. A memorial board explaining the reason for the monument was installed. The second arch is in a deplorable state and needs restoration, which is constrained by lack of money.