In Vyborg, on the square in the Old town Hall is a monument to the founder of the city, the Marshal of Sweden, Torgils Knutsson. This monument was the first in the city. Bronze sculpture designed by Villa Wallgren in October 1908 She stood for 40 years, and then in 1948 was dismantled. The monument was badly damaged, but has not undergone still further smelting. The restored monument Knutsson was in 1993, 2 years Later, he was declared a cultural heritage site, but the registry and not made.

Initiated the installation of a monument resident of Viborg, an Amateur historian, architect Jakob Arenberg (1847-1914). He made an enormous contribution to the restoration of the castle itself, contributed to the city's history was not only documentary, but also a romantic character. Arenberg was quite unsure of the historical accuracy of the installation of the monument to the Knutsson, considered it extremely important to preserve local history.

With sculptor Walgreen Arenberg met when he was looking for work. He consulted with friends and decided to order his sculpture Knutsson. The work of the architect was estimated at 2200 brands. Literary meeting, held in December, 1884, was started fundraising for the erection of the monument. Then has collected only 300 marks. Jakob Arenberg free drafted the reconstruction of the area. Then he did a really great job, making the measurements of the ancient buildings of the city. Turning to the public, Arenberg has collected more money and Wallgren began work on a model of the monument.

The first model quickly fallen into disrepair – cracked and cracked clay. The architect began work on a new, the cost of which was considerably more than the previous. This was only the first problem. The proposal to install in Vyborg monument Swede-the conqueror met with strong opposition from the military commandant of the city of major General M. L. dukhonin, which, though not as vehemently supported the Governor-General Heyden. About the installation of the monument to the Knutsson wrote a lot of the Newspapers of those times.

The Villa Walgren returned to Paris. There he continued work on the monument in his workshop on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. By 1887, was completed preparatory work, and in 1888 plaster cast was delivered to the customer in Vyborg. There it was exhibited in the local Museum.

Permission to install the monument was not obtained. And the saddest thing of requests of Arenberg and his associates became the basis for the decree of Emperor Alexander III on the prohibition of the erection of any monuments without the consent of the sovereign.

The question began to be resolved positively only once in Vyborg died Apothecary Johann Casimir von Zweigbergk, who bequeathed to the city 167 thousand Finnish marks. This entry into the city Treasury helped to create a special Fund from which funds were used for the decoration of Vyborg, and 30 thousand to pass the casting of the monument Knutsson. Besides the strike of 1905 diverted power from small concerns.

Permission for the erection of the monument was given by Emperor Nicholas II. The monument was cast in bronze in Paris under the direct supervision of Valgrana. Designed by Carl Segerstedt was invited to design the pedestal.

Preparation of the square the Old town Hall to the installation of the monument and the reconstruction began in the spring of 1908, the opening of the monument to the founder of Vyborg was held on September 21, 1908, Immediately after this event, the press has begun debate on the issue, during which, on the one hand, said that the monument is an insult to the Russian national dignity, and that Knutsson Russia is not the enemy, because he fought with the Novgorod Republic, in his time, yet was a part of Russia.

2 years later in the city erected a monument to Peter I. It stands on the opposite side from the Knutsson.

During the great Patriotic war, the city went under the jurisdiction of the belligerents. The monument remained in the same place. But in 1948 with the area cleaned. 30 years later, he was found in the barn of the works of improvement. He was transported to the Museum of Vyborg castle, where he was kept in the basement.

Thanks to the funding of the charitable Foundation, the monument was restored in 1991, the Work was led by the architect I. Kachurin, sculptor V. Dimov, granitic M. Safonov.

The 700th anniversary of the Vyborg castle, the monument was re-opened.