Skulptur "Zar Peter III" (Sculpture "Tsar Peter III"), Kiel

The older wing of Kiel Castle, which still exists today, is often referred to as the Rantzau Building, but was actually built by the fortress builder Domenico Pelli on behalf of Duchess Friederike Amalia (1649–1704) and is therefore officially called the Pelli Building. In the park next to the building stands a monument to the Russian Tsar Peter III (1728–1762), who came from Kiel, created by the Russian sculptor Alexander Taratynov. Since its founding in 2008, the Kiel Tsar Association has devoted itself to the scientific analysis of this prince's politics and had the monument erected in 2014, financed by donations. The sculpture thus brings the almost forgotten history of the Duke of Kiel, who ruled the Russian Empire until his assassination, back into the public consciousness. Duke Carl Peter Ulrich of Holstein-Gottorf was born on February 21, 1728 in Kiel Castle. His aunt, the Russian Empress Elisabeth, had him named her heir to the throne in 1742. Peter III ruled his Duchy of Holstein as Russian Grand Duke for 17 years until he ascended the Russian throne as Tsar Peter III in 1762. In a very short time, he initiated almost 200 laws and decrees for the social and economic renewal of Russia. However, his wife, the later Empress Catherine II, had him murdered after only 186 days of reign and then ascended to the throne herself. The bronze Tsar stands upright next to his empty throne - a reference to the short reign until his murder. Alexander Taratynov (sculptor) was born into a family of artists in Moscow in 1956. After graduating from the Moscow Art High School, he studied at the VI Surikov Moscow State Art Academy. He became known, among other things, for exhibiting his monumental sculptures, the so-called "living monuments" based on motifs by world-famous historical painters. His life-size figures blend harmoniously into the "new" environment. He has had numerous exhibitions in Russia and Europe, including the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Belgium, France and Austria. He has been represented several times since 2015 at NordArt in Büdelsdorf (Schleswig-Holstein). His works can be seen in Russia, the Netherlands, Latvia and Germany. Alexander Taratynov lives and works in Holland and Germany.

Here in Kiel, Duke Carl Peter Ulrich von Holstein-Gottorf was born on February 21, 1728 and spent his first years as a "Kieler Jung". His aunt, the Russian Empress Elisabeth I, then appointed him heir to the throne of the Russian Empire and brought him to St. Petersburg, where he later as Tsar Peter III. In 1762 went down in history, but never really fully ascended his throne. Melancholy, the Czar looks east from his home town of Kiel and stands next to his empty throne. In his hand a parchment scroll with the words "peace" in German and Russian. This is the new monument that has shaped the Kiel cityscape since 2014. Kiel has restored its duke and tsar and honors this historic figure with a splendid place on the grounds of the Kieler Schlossgarten. Russian sculptor Alexander Taratynov is an internationally acclaimed artist with works throughout the world. The Kieler Zarenverein was able to win over and commission this renowned artist from Russia for the creation of this monument. ***PH***