St. Andrew’s Church is one of the most famous churches in Kiev and boasts many impressive decorative elements, including cast iron details on the facade. It is known that around 98 tons of cast iron were used to create these elements, and Bartolomeo Rastrelli, one of the most famous architects of the time, personally executed 186 drawings of cast iron details for facade decoration. Cast iron details not only serve a decorative function, but also play a practical role in preserving the massiveness and stability of the building, as well as protecting it from harmful external factors. Cast iron found widespread use in 19-20th century construction and was used to manufacture both decorative and structural elements.

The Use of Cast Iron in Architecture: The Example of St. Andrew’s Church and the Crystal Palace in London

St. Andrew’s Church is one of the most famous churches in Kyiv, located in the city’s Podil district. It was built during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna and Ivan VI, from 1747 to 1754. One of the most prominent architects of the time, Bartolomeo Rastrelli, took an active part in its design and construction.

One of the most impressive elements of the exterior decoration of St. Andrew’s Church is its cast iron details. It is known that approximately 98 tons of cast iron were used to make them, which was specially ordered from Russia. Rastrelli, who personally executed 186 drawings of cast iron details for the decoration of facades, aimed to create bright and striking details that would complement the overall look of the church.

The cast iron elements include many different details, such as garlands of flowers, door and window frames, statues of archangels, lettering, and other details. They decorate not only the facades of the church but also its interior, including the altar, bell tower, and other parts.

It is important to note that cast iron details not only have a decorative function but also serve a practical role. They help to preserve the massiveness and stability of the building and also protect it from harmful external factors such as wind, rain, snow, and others.

Cast iron details of St. Andrew’s Church are just one example of the use of cast iron in architecture. This material, thanks to its strength and durability, found wide application in construction, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries. It was used not only for decorative elements but also for structural elements such as columns, beams, doors, and others.

There is another famous example of the use of cast iron in architecture – the Crystal Palace in London, which was built in 1851 for the World Exhibition. One of the most impressive elements of this building is 3,000 cast iron columns that were made using a new casting technology. These columns were high and slender and allowed the creation of a huge glass structure.

Today, cast iron details are used in modern architecture, although they may look slightly different from those in traditional buildings. These can be details on the facades of modern buildings or elements of landscape design. In any case, cast iron elements are not only beautiful and impressive, but also durable and strong, which makes them an important component of any building or structure.