The world-famous Rostral Columns, symbols of Russia's naval prowess, are now enjoying a second birth.

Yelena Alekseyeva

The Rostral Columns are situated near the slipway into the Neva on the square in front of the Stock Exchange. They were the brain-child of Thomas de Thomon, the architect who designed the whole area around the Vasilevsky Island Spit; they symbolised the importance of St. Petersburg as a port, while at the same time serving as beacons.

The monumental Doric columns were installed on their mighty granite pedestals in 1810. They were carved from blocks of stone from the village of Pudost in the Leningrad Region, which was still being quarried until recently.

The decoration of the columns is a synthesis of architecture and sculpture. Four huge figures, carved from the same stone, are arranged around the bases: they represent the great Russian rivers - Volga, Dnepr, Neva and Volkhov. The identity of the author of the sketches for these sculptures has, unfortunately, not been established; it is known, however, that they were created by the famous master stonemason S. Sukhanov, a peasant from Vologda.

Over the course of many decades, the statues have slowly been destroyed. Paradoxically, the numerous attempts to repair and restore them using the same method, before and after 1917, played a "bad joke" on them; iron pins were used to strengthen them, while the parts that had fallen off were filled with cement, followed by the application of many layers of paint. In this way the monument was fairly rapidly decaying and losing its original appearance.

Last August, St. Petersburg's leading experts set about the task of restoring the columns, using new specially-devised technology; the Hermitage's top art restorers were invited to take part. They embarked upon a truly scientific restoration, which would preserve the artistic and historic value of the monuments. The enormous accumulated experience of the museum, the oldest centre of sculpture restoration in the country, was put to good use. New methods devised by their specialists have over many years been applied to the restoration of works of art from the Hermitage's collection.

The process involves removing the layers created during previous restoration work and replacing the lost fragments with pieces of Pudost stone. The materials used are as near as possible to the properties of the original sculpture. The reinforcement and protection of the stone will prevent the further destruction of the monument and will restore its artistic appearance.

The total reconstruction of the sculptures around the Rostral Columns should be completed in December. The Neva will be the first to regain its original appearance, followed by the Volkhov in all its glory. Part of the work will be finished in May, to coincide with the city's anniversary; the same date will mark the end of the first stage of the restoration. The method will be used in the future for the reconstruction of other sculpture in the city. The event will be celebrated by a party on the Vasilevsky Island Point; once more, tongues of flame will shine out from the metal tripods on top of the columns.