 The opposite, southern side of the square was designed in the shape of an arc by George von Velten in the late 18th century.These plans came to fruition half a century later, when Alexander I of Russia (reigned 1801–1825) envisaged the square as a vast monument to the 1812–1814 Russian victories over Napoleon and commissioned Carlo Rossi to design the bow-shaped Empire-style Building of the General Staff (1819–1829), which centers on a double triumphal arch crowned with a Roman quadriga.In the centre of the square stands the Alexander Column (1830–1834), designed by Auguste de Montferrand.