CRIMSON QUARTZITE IN THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF RUSSIA AND THE WORLD

Abstract

The Shoksha crimson quartzite deposit, known since the 18th century, lies 5 km north of Shoksha, an old Vepsian village in Prionezhsky District, Republic of Karelia (60 km from Petrozavodsk). The crimson quartzite has the following mineral composition: 94–96 % quartz, 2–3 % chalcedony, 0.5–1.0 % sericite, and up to 0.5 % iron oxides. It is called porphyry because of its deep purple colour imparted to it by iron oxides (the Greek word πορφύρεος or porphýreos means purple). As the rock is hard, durable, wear-resistant and ornamental, it is used as facing stone. The beauty of Shoksha porphyry was appraised by great architects, who knew the value of natural stones. The use of porphyry in the tomb of French Emperor and military leader Napoleon I, the mosaic floor of the Kazan Cathedral, the pedestal of the Monument of Nicholas I in St. Petersburg, the crowning section and the name Lenin of the Mausoleum in Moscow, and in other structures has made it famous. The builders and architects of Karelia’s capital have also given porphyry its due. Crimson quartzite was used to pave Pervomaisky Avenue in Petrozavodsk and to make the pedestals of monuments of S. М. Kirov, K. Marx and F. Engels, the rectangular portion of the Memorial Complex known as The Grave of the Unknown Soldier with the Eternal Flame, etc. The porphyry is now used for the production of paving stone, lining in ball mills, ornamental facing and ritual products, and in landscape design. The structures, in which this unique natural stone is used, will remain perpetual monuments to the skills of Russian and foreign architects. The article is a general overview of the history of use of Shoksha quartzite.