Globe of Gottorf
Encyclopedia
The Globe of Gottorf is a 17th century large globe
of the earth in the Kunstkammer museum in St.Petersburg in Russia
. It measures 3.1 meters in diameter.
The globe details a map of the earth’s surface on the outside and a map of star constellation
s with astrological and mythological symbols on the inside. Turned by water power, it demonstrates the “movement” of the heavens to those seated inside in candlelight.
It was a predecessor of the modern planetarium.
.
Construction was cariied out under the supervision of Adam Olearius
and completed by Andreas Bösch, both the residents of the Duke. It was put in a palace garden to amuse and amaze visitors.
and brought to St. Petersburg on March 20, 1717.
Initially, it was placed in a special pavilion on the Tsaristin meadow (now the Field of Mars). It is known that the Tsar frequently examined the Gottorf globe in the morning, such was the interest he took in it.
In 1717, the globe was moved to the tower of the Kunstkamera building.
Elizabeth of Russia had the globe rebuilt, but strictly speaking it was no more than a replica since not much was left after the fire. It was built and painted anew using the original wooden ribs.
(where it had been exhibited since 1901) during the Second World War, but it was returned to Russia in 1947.
, a museum in St. Petersburg.
German charitable foundations agreed to build a near-replica of the globe in the 1990s, but this time in steel, with electric motors and lights, and install it at Gottorf Castle.
Globe
A globe is a three-dimensional scale model of Earth or other spheroid celestial body such as a planet, star, or moon...
of the earth in the Kunstkammer museum in St.Petersburg in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. It measures 3.1 meters in diameter.
The globe details a map of the earth’s surface on the outside and a map of star constellation
Constellation
In modern astronomy, a constellation is an internationally defined area of the celestial sphere. These areas are grouped around asterisms, patterns formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another on Earth's night sky....
s with astrological and mythological symbols on the inside. Turned by water power, it demonstrates the “movement” of the heavens to those seated inside in candlelight.
It was a predecessor of the modern planetarium.
Origins
The original globe was built between 1654 to 1664 in Gottorf on request of Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-GottorpFrederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
Frederick III of Holstein-Gottorp was a Duke of Holstein-Gottorp.He was the elder son of Duke Johann Adolf of Holstein-Gottorp and Augusta of Denmark. His mother was a daughter of King Frederick II of Denmark....
.
Construction was cariied out under the supervision of Adam Olearius
Adam Olearius
Adam Olearius , born Adam Ölschläger or Oehlschlaeger, was a German scholar, mathematician, geographer and librarian...
and completed by Andreas Bösch, both the residents of the Duke. It was put in a palace garden to amuse and amaze visitors.
Transport to Russia
The globe was given to Peter the Great during the Great Northern WarGreat Northern War
The Great Northern War was a conflict in which a coalition led by the Tsardom of Russia successfully contested the supremacy of the Swedish Empire in northern Central Europe and Eastern Europe. The initial leaders of the anti-Swedish alliance were Peter I the Great of Russia, Frederick IV of...
and brought to St. Petersburg on March 20, 1717.
Initially, it was placed in a special pavilion on the Tsaristin meadow (now the Field of Mars). It is known that the Tsar frequently examined the Gottorf globe in the morning, such was the interest he took in it.
In 1717, the globe was moved to the tower of the Kunstkamera building.
Destruction by fire
It was severely damaged in a fire in 1747, and its surface was destroyed.Elizabeth of Russia had the globe rebuilt, but strictly speaking it was no more than a replica since not much was left after the fire. It was built and painted anew using the original wooden ribs.
Temporary return to Germany
The Germans seized the globe at the Dutch AdmiraltyDutch Admiralty
The Dutch Admiralty is the name applied to three follies designed in the traditional Dutch style and erected in summer 1773 on the bank of the Large Pond in the Catherine Park of Tsarskoe Selo. The pavilions are flanked by two towers in the Russian Gothic style...
(where it had been exhibited since 1901) during the Second World War, but it was returned to Russia in 1947.
Present status
The original globe now resides in the KunstkameraKunstkamera
The Kunstkamera was the first museum in Russia. Established by Peter the Great and completed in 1727, the Kunstkammer Building hosts the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography, with a collection of almost 2,000,000 items...
, a museum in St. Petersburg.
German charitable foundations agreed to build a near-replica of the globe in the 1990s, but this time in steel, with electric motors and lights, and install it at Gottorf Castle.