A very unexpected and controversial statue lies in the heart of the fortress compound, which was created by Mikhail Shemyakin. The bronze statue sits atop the throne of the Tsar and was put in place in 1991 and remains controversial to this day, due to the massive body of Peter being crowned by an abnormally small, bald head. The sculptor used the death mask of the Tsar to create the head, the original having been created by Carlo Rastrelli. Rastrelli added a moustache, wig, and dignified expression to the mask, but the modern sculptor left it bare, and we’re left with quite an unnatural and creepy feeling whilst gazing upon the statue. The knees and fingers appear highly polished, as it is common for tourists to take photographs while sitting in the lap of the statue.
