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Though defeated in Russia, Napoleon must
have much impressed Alexander I, whose propensity for grandeur made him quickly
forget the invasion of his country. If Napoleon wanted Paris to look like a
modern Rome, Alexander would not mind if Saint Petersburg shared the
achievements of both, and became worthy of his victorious empire. Particular
attention was paid t the opening of new large squares, gardens and parks,
avenues and streets, canals and the construction of huge architectural
ensembles. Many other improvements were planned and made, such as the
construction of who knows how many new bridges and quays, to make life more
pleasant and comfortable, and at the same time to embellish the city. Both
Catherine II and her son Paul I had discriminating taste and the palaces they
commissioned proved it. Even more sophisticate was Alexander I, who chose the
Empire style, the last of the great historic styles, for the most remarkable
architectural monuments that were built in Saint Petersburg and all of Russia.
It was during his reign, 1801-1825 that Russian architecture reached its
highest point. The splendor of Catherine's time gradually was giving place to
simple but majestic dignity. More rational solutions were sought and the will
to create something virtuous is evident.. Architects try to eliminate
everything that looks superfluous, and cleaned the facades of the garishness.
The result was a new and successful treatment of Antiquity. New edifices were
decorated primarily with military symbols, such as swords, caskets, shields,
eagles, laurels, and figures by evoking Greco-Roman times and, of course, with
many palm tree branches to compensate for the military hardware.
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