In 1716, Emperor Peter the Great commissioned the Italian sculptor Carlo Bartolomeo Rastrelli[1] to design an equestrian statue in commemoration of the Russian victories over Sweden in the Great Northern War.

Catherine, who, having gained her position through a palace coup, had no legal claim to the throne, was anxious to appear as Peter's rightful heir.

It was placed on a pedestal faced with green, red and white-shaded Finnish marble that is decorated with bas-reliefs depicting scenes of two Russian victories over Sweden during the Great Northern War, the Battle of Poltava and the Battle of Hangö, and also an allegorical composition with trophies.

The Russian victories at Poltava and near Hangö, Finland helped Russia become the dominant power in the north of the continent.

During World War II, the equestrian statue of Peter I was removed from its pedestal and sheltered from the 900-day German siege of the city.