Description of the attraction
The embankment of Lake Onega is the most favorite place for walking and resting not only for guests of the city, but also for townspeople. This street is considered one of the busiest streets in Petrozavodsk, because it is on it that a considerable number of large shops, cafes and restaurants are concentrated. Not far from Onega embankment there are huge buildings of the State Petrograd University, the City Hall and the Severnaya Hotel. The construction of the embankment began in the second half of the 20th century, and its opening took place on the city day - June 25 in 1994.
On the embankment of Onezhskaya Street, there is an amazing open-air museum that presents contemporary art. The museum has a permanent exhibition made up of gifts from the twin cities of Petrozavodsk. Temporary exhibits made of ice and snow appear here every winter.
The very first sculpture appeared on the embankment in 1991, it was called "Fishermen", and its author was Rafael Consuegra. This sculpture was a gift from Duluth from the USA. The monument represents the figures of two fishermen - American and Russian - they work together, trying to throw a net.
In 1994, another sculpture was installed, which came from the city of Tübingen, which is also sister city of Petrozavodsk. Kurt Geiselhart and Bernhard Vogelmann were the author of the Tubingen panel. The bars are signs of joy or sorrow, remembrance or unity.
In 1996, the Swedish city of Umeå presented the citizens of Petrozavodsk with the “Tree of Desires”. This monument is a modern interpretation of the ancient belief about the black tree, on which hang golden bells and which grants wishes. According to legend, you need to whisper in the "ear" of the tree to ask for your desire, if at this moment you hear the ringing of a bell, then the desire will certainly come true.
In 1997, a new composition "Wave of Friendship" appeared on the Onega embankment. This gift was presented by Varkaus, a Finnish twin. The author of this project was Anna Kettunen. The symbol of the wave is associated here with time and change: one wave covers the other, sweeping away all the troubles that come its way.
In 1999, The Sleeping Beauty was installed by author Jean-Pierre Dussayen. This monument was presented to Petrozavodsk from one of the cities of France - La Rochelle. The sculpture clearly shows motives that symbolize the nature of Karelia and the beauty of a Karelian woman who merges with this nature.
Another gift from Finland was a sculpture called Unity. This monument arrived at the Onega embankment from Joensuu. The author of the work is the famous sculptor Teppo Laurinolli. The monument consists of two semi-arches made of metal, which are connected with a symbolic "spark of friendship".
In 2000, the sculptures "Woman", "Mermaid" and "Starry Sky", especially reminiscent of an airplane wing, were installed. The sculpture "Mermaid" shows a French mermaid, which rocks the roofing felts on the waves of the lake or in the treetops.
From the sister city of Rana and Mo, located in Norway, a sculpture "Meeting Place" was brought. It was installed on the Onega embankment in 2001. Bente Stremsnes Heyen and Ingün Dalin became the authors of this work. The sculpture symbolizes the twinning relationship between the Rana commune and the Karelian city of Petrozavodsk.
If you turn to Karl Marx Avenue, then here you can see a bronze monument to Peter I. The emperor is shown in such a way that it seems that he meets all those who come to the Karelian capital by water. The founder of the city himself is depicted in a ceremonial uniform and with a sword. The right hand of the sculptural emperor points to the Lososinka River, because it was here that a cannon-foundry was founded, which gave rise to the name of the city of Petrozavodsk. The casting of the monument took place in St. Petersburg at the Moranda plant according to the sketches of the famous sculptor I. N. Schroeder.
In the summer of 2002, construction began on the second stage of the Onega embankment, which was 500 meters long. The exterior was made in the style of the 19th century. The construction was completed in 2003.
