Memorable Dates of Russia: Collection, marking the 265th anniversary of Agustin de Betancourt, presented at the Museum of Bridges in St. Petersburg

On February 1, 2023, a presentation of the new collection and a commemorative event, timed to coincide with the 265th anniversary since the birth of Agustin de Betancourt, are held at the Museum of Bridges, a branch of the Central Museum of Railway Transport of the Russian Federation (St. Petersburg).

Many researchers argumentatively call this most talented engineer of the 19th century, world-famous scientist, encyclopedist, outstanding teacher, statesman a genius.

In the Russian service, he made many inventions, but perhaps the main brainchild of Agustin de Betancourt was the Building of the Institute of Railway Engineers – the first higher transport institution in Russia. Such innovation in domestic education stems from the rich pedagogical experience and inexhaustible energy of Betancourt, who created one of the largest Machine Cabinet in Europe as the basis for future engineering education in Spain. This practice was used in Russia as well, where a “special hall” was organized at the Institute of Railway Engineers for storing models and layouts.

“The collection of rare objects of the 19th century, associated with the name of Betancourt and kept in our museum, is inherently amazing. We can confidently say that thanks to the efforts of Betancourt, today we can clearly talk about the scientific search and achievements of a whole galaxy of talented civil engineers, who became students and followers of the major scientist and inventor, who lived in Russia for 16 years and managed to do so much for his second homeland. It was Betancourt who created our museum, which also celebrates its 210th anniversary this year”, Vladimir Mitelenko, Director of the Central Museum of Railway Transport of Russia said.

The rarities that are usually kept in the storerooms will be available to history lovers at the Museum of Bridges, a branch of the Central Museum of Railway Transport, on February 1, 2023. For example, there, one has an opportunity to see in detail the mechanisms of lifting columns for St. Isaac’s Cathedral.

The exhibition showcases a unique model of the Moscow Exercise House (Manege) which allows learning about the technology of designing a unique structure without internal support columns. Many of the ideas proposed by Betancourt were advanced and had no analogues in Europe.

Also under his leadership, the Tula Arms Plant and the Imperial Alexander Manufactory were reconstructed, the buildings of the Expedition of Storing State Papers (now Goznak) were built in St. Petersburg, the grandiose complex of buildings of the Nizhny Novgorod Fair, the cannon foundry in Kazan, and a number of bridges were created.