What kinds of cultural monuments are there? The most famous monuments in the world

Archaeological finds, as a rule, allow scientists to obtain very detailed information about the past. But it happens that scientists themselves find themselves at a dead end, because they cannot explain either the origin or purpose of artifacts. In our review of 10 amazing architectural objects found by archaeologists in different parts of the planet.

1. Templar buildings (Malta and Gozo)

The Templars lived on the islands of Malta and Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea for 1,100 years (from 4000 to 2900 BC), and then simply disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only amazing structures. As far as modern archaeologists can tell, their disappearance was not caused by invasion, famine or disease. It can be argued that these mysterious people were obsessed with building stone temple complexes - about 30 of them were found on 2 small islands. Researchers found numerous evidence of sacrifices and complex rituals in these temples, as well as an abundance of phallic symbols.

3. Underground pyramids of the Etruscans (Italy)

In 2011, archaeologist Claudio Bizzarri stumbled upon Etruscan pyramids beneath a medieval Italian city Orvieto. First, archaeologists noticed Etruscan-style steps that were carved into the wall of the wine cellar and went down. After excavations, a tunnel was discovered that led to a room with walls sloping upward. Continuing their descent, archaeologists discovered Etruscan ceramics from the 5th and 6th centuries BC, a number of other artifacts more than 3,000 years old, and about 150 inscriptions in the Etruscan language. During the excavations, it was discovered that the steps lead even lower, into another tunnel leading to another underground pyramid. Excavations are still ongoing.

4. Ancient tundra (Greenland)

Until recently, geologists believed that glaciers, when moving, play the role of a kind of skating rink that “erases” plants and soil layers from the surface. act as forces of erosion, clearing away everything they move along from plants and soil into the top layer of bedrock. But now, scientists must rethink this theory, since pristine tundra has been discovered under a 3 km thick glacier. Plants and soil have been frozen for over 2.5 million years.

5. Lost Temple of Musasir (Iraq)

In Kurdistan in northern Iraq, locals recently discovered real archaeological treasures dating back to the Iron Age (more than 2,500 years ago). Quite by accident, they discovered the bases of pillars (the supposed lost temple of Musasir), as well as other artifacts, including statues of people and life-size goats. The statues are believed to have been an important part of burial rituals in the Urartu civilization. Further excavations are unsafe as the region remains littered with unexploded mines from past border conflicts.

6. Palace of the Han Dynasty (Siberia)

When Soviet workers were laying a road near the Mongolian border, they accidentally unearthed the foundations of an ancient palace in the immediate vicinity of the city of Abakan. By 1940, archaeologists had completely excavated the site, but were unable to solve the mystery of the ruins. The age of the ruins of a huge palace with an area of ​​about 1500 square meters was determined to be 2000 years old. However, the palace was built in the style Chinese dynasty Han, who ruled from 206 BC. to 220 AD The catch is that the palace was located right on enemy territory, controlled at that time by the nomadic Xiongnu people. The Xiongnu raids were so constant that the Great Wall of China was built to protect against them.

7. Seven Provincial Pyramids (Egypt)

In southern Egypt, near the ancient settlement of Edfu, archaeologists have discovered a step pyramid that is several decades older than the Great Pyramid of Giza. Built 4,600 years ago, this three-stage pyramid belongs to a group of seven "provincial pyramids" that were made from sandstone blocks and clay mortar. The Edfu Pyramid is only 5 meters high, although previously its height was about 13 meters. Six of the seven pyramids are almost identical in size and do not contain internal chambers, so they were not intended to be used as tombs. Their purpose is still unknown.

8. Magical sanctuaries (Armenia)

During excavations in 2003-2011 of the Armenian fortress in the city of Gegharot, archaeologists discovered three sanctuaries, whose age is about 3,300 years. They are believed to have been used for fortune telling, and with the help of these sanctuaries local rulers predicted their future. At the center of each one-room temple was a clay basin filled with ash, as well as ceramic vessels.

9. Buddhist Temple (Bangladesh)

A recent archaeological discovery may reveal the early life of Atish Dipankar, a revered Buddhist saint who was born in Bangladesh more than 1,000 years ago. In the Munshingaj district, the ruins of a Buddhist city and temple were discovered, the age of which is about 10 centuries. Scholars believe that it was in this temple that Dipankar taught his followers before leaving for Tibet.

10. Tel Burna (Israel)

In southern Israel, archaeologists have discovered an Iron Age site and numerous artifacts that suggest Tel Burna is in fact the biblical city of Libn - one of the places where the Israelites stayed during the Exodus, when Moses led them out of Egypt. If this assumption is correct, then Tel Burna is part of the Kingdom of Judah, which also included Jerusalem.

Mysterious artifacts are found not only among architectural monuments. Today there is, at a minimum, .

7 chosen

The Moscow Kremlin and Red Square, the historical center of St. Petersburg, the white stone monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, the Kremlin of Rostov the Great, the Kizhi Pogost, Peterhof, Solovki, the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, the Nizhny Novgorod, Kolomna and Pskov Kremlin - the famous historical monuments of Russia, the list of which goes on and further. Russia is a country with a huge cultural past, its history still holds many secrets and mysteries, every stone of ancient Russian cities and monasteries breathes history, behind each is human destinies. In these autumn days The multimedia project-competition "Russia 10" is coming to an end, giving us the opportunity to learn about the most famous and beautiful places in our country and in the first place - the main historical monuments of Russia, the wonders of architecture and architecture, the magical creations of the hands of Russian masters.

Kizhi

On one of the islands of Lake Onega in Karelia there is the famous Kizhi churchyard: two wooden churches of the 18th century. and an octagonal wooden bell tower (1862). The architectural ensemble of Kizhi is an ode to Russian craftsmen, the pinnacle of carpentry art, “wooden lace”. According to legend, the Transfiguration Church was built with one ax, which the master threw into Lake Onega, finishing his work without a single nail. Kizhi is the real Eighth Wonder of the World.

The main historical value of Rus' is the hands of its masters...

Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon

The Moscow Kremlin is a real treasury of monuments of Russian history and culture. Some of them are the Tsar Bell and the Tsar Cannon. They are famous not only for their size, but also for their amazing history...

The Tsar Bell was ordered to be cast by Empress Anna Ioannovna. At her request, foreign craftsmen were supposed to do this, but when they heard the required dimensions of the bell, they considered the empress’s desire... a joke! Well, who cares, and who cares. The father and son of Motorina, bell makers, got to work. It didn’t take them as long to create the project as the subsequent approval by the Moscow Senate office, which lasted for 3 whole years! The first attempt to cast a bell was unsuccessful and ended in an explosion and destruction of the furnace structure, and after this one of the craftsmen, Father Ivan Motorin, died. The second casting of the bell was carried out by the master’s son Mikhail Motorin, and three months later, on November 25, 1735, the birth of the famous bell took place. The bell weighed about 202 tons, its height was 6 meters 14 centimeters, and its diameter was 6 meters 60 centimeters.

They took a cast, but didn’t lift it! During a fire in 1737, a piece weighing more than 11 tons broke off from the bell, which was still in the smelting pit. The Tsar Bell was raised from the foundry pit only in 1836, thanks to Montferrand, who knew a lot about lifting heavy structures. However, Rus' never heard the voice of the Tsar Bell...

Tsar Cannon on Ivanovskaya Square is considered a monument to Russian artillery. The length of the bronze gun is 5 meters 34 centimeters, the barrel diameter is 120 centimeters, the caliber is 890 millimeters, and the weight is almost 40 tons. The formidable weapon was supposed to guard the Moscow Kremlin from the Execution Ground, but, according to weapons experts, its power was suitable for destroying fortress walls, but not for defense. Cast by the famous foundry master Andrei Chokhov in 1586 under Fyodor Ioannovich, it never took part in hostilities. According to legend, they fired from it only once - with the ashes of False Demetrius.

Mother Rus', everything is special - and the Tsar Cannon does not fire and the Tsar Bell does not announce the gospel...

Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God

On the day of the Intercession Mother of God In 1552, Russian troops stormed Kazan, the capital of the Kazan Khanate. In honor of this event, Ivan the Terrible ordered the construction of the Church of the Intercession in Moscow. How many legends and traditions are associated with it...

Previously, another church stood on this site - the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity, where St. Basil the Blessed, the most revered holy fool in Rus', was buried, collecting alms for the construction of this temple. Later, others began to be built around the Trinity Church - in honor of the most significant victories of Russian weapons. When there were already about ten of them, Moscow Metropolitan Macarius came to Ivan the Terrible with a request to build one large temple on this site.

The central tent of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God was consecrated first, then a small church was completed on the grave of the holy fool, and the temple began to be called St. Basil's Cathedral. The cathedral symbolizes Heavenly Jerusalem - its 8 chapters create the eight-pointed star of Bethlehem. According to legend, at the end of construction, which lasted 6 years, the king, delighted with the unprecedented beauty of the temple, asked the builders if they could do something similar. The price for an affirmative answer was the blinding of the craftsmen by order of the sovereign, so that there would be nothing more beautiful on earth...

Several times they tried to destroy the Temple, services in it were banned and allowed again, but it survived for centuries, just as the Russian land resisted all troubles.

The Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God is a beautiful and many-sided holy Rus'.

Peter-Pavel's Fortress

The Peter and Paul Fortress is the core of the city on the Neva, a historical, architectural and military engineering monument, one of the main symbols of Russian history. It was from Petropavlovka that the construction of the city of Peter began on May 16, 1703. All of it is history, the history of wars and revolutions, faith and love. Its bastions bear the names of Peter the Great's associates: Menshikov, Golovkin, Zotov, Trubetskoy, Naryshkin and Sovereign bastions.

In the center of the fortress is the Peter and Paul Cathedral - a symbol of the formation of a new city in Russia. It contains the history of the Imperial House of Romanov; the cathedral became the necropolis of Russian emperors, where their ashes from Peter I to Nicholas II rest. Near the walls of the Cathedral is the Commandant's Cemetery, where 19 commandants of the Peter and Paul Fortress (out of 32 who served it) are buried.

The fortress was both the defense of the Northern capital and its state prison: prisoners of the Trubetskoy bastion were Tsarevich Alexei, the Decembrists, Chernyshevsky, Kostsyushko and Dostoevsky, Narodnaya Volya, ministers Russian Empire, Socialist Revolutionaries and Bolsheviks.

Petropavlovka, like Russia itself, is both an intercessor and a prison, but, nevertheless, the Motherland...

Monument "Millennium of Russia"

The monument "Millennium of Russia" was erected in Veliky Novgorod opposite the St. Sophia Cathedral and the former building of the Government Places in 1862 in honor of the thousandth anniversary of the legendary calling of the Varangians to Rus'. The anniversary of its opening is celebrated these September days.

Authors of the monument project: sculptors Mikhail Mikeshin, Ivan Schroeder and architect Victor Hartman. To create a monument-symbol of Russian history, a competition was announced, to which several dozen works were submitted. The winner was the project of young sculptors - M. O. Mikeshin, who graduated from the Academy just a year ago, and I. N. Schroeder, a volunteer student in the sculpture class of the Academy of Arts.

Turaeva Angelina

For every person, the most dear and dear place on Earth is his homeland, where he was born, grew up, where people close to him live. For us, this is our city of Saransk.

Download:

Preview:

Municipal educational institution "Secondary" comprehensive school No. 3"

Research

"Monuments of our city"

Completed by: Turaeva Angelina,

Student of class 4A

Head: Elena Anatolyevna Isaeva,

primary school teacher

Saransk 2014

Introduction.

For every person, the most dear and dear place on Earth is his homeland, where he was born, grew up, where people close to him live. For us, this is our city of Saransk.

Every day we walk along the familiar streets of our city, we are in a hurry to run errands. We often do not notice things that seem ordinary to us, but in fact are fraught with enormous cultural and historical value.We can learn about the historical past of our people from history books, films, stories from elders and teachers. And the monuments that exist in our city can tell us a lot about the historical past.

We exchanged opinions with our classmates, but it turned out that many of us do not know the monuments of our city. We conducted a survey among students in grades 2–4. (Annex 1)

There are many monuments in our city, but people know little about their history; not all monuments are known to the residents of our city, and even less do they know about the events in honor of which these monuments were erected. Why?

But monuments, like people, have their own destiny. Popular rumor says: “Without knowing the past, you cannot live in the present.” Love for the Motherland begins precisely with love for hometown. Our city is associated with many great events and interesting people.That is why it was important for us to study the history of the creation of monuments,which preserve the memory of events and people, it is important that people remember history.

That's how the idea came about research project"Monuments of the city of Saransk."

Objective of the project : Expand the idea that the hometown is famous for its history, traditions, and attractions.

Object of study: monuments of the city of Saransk.

Subject of study: history of the creation of monuments in the city of Saransk.

Project product:booklet and presentation "Monuments of the city of Saransk"

Tasks:

1. Visit the archive, local history museum, library and collect material about the history of the creation of monuments in our city.

2. Conduct a survey and survey of students.

3. Prepare a booklet and presentation “Monuments of the city of Saransk”.

Hypothesis: The history of the creation of monuments is connected with the history of our country, with the development of our city.

Methods:

1.Collection and processing of information on the topic (articles from magazines, newspapers, reference books, archival materials).

2. Survey, questioning.

3. Interview.

4. Classification.

What is a monument? A monument is, first of all, a memory of a person, a place, or an event. They give us the opportunity to meet the people who are depicted, see them and even touch them, recognize the heroes of war and labor, whose names are inscribed on memorial plaques. Monuments help us get closer to the era in which these people lived and accomplished their feats. After all, we are citizens of Russia, and it is our duty to know and honor the history of our country and our small homeland.

Through acquaintance with the monuments, you can trace the history of the development of the city and the whole country.

What monuments are there in our city?

Every city has places and buildings dedicated to the memory of a person or event. There are many such places in Saransk. These include monuments to famous people and buildings built in memory of some event. Each such place or building has its own interesting history.

I traveled around the city, photographed monuments, and read literary sources.

1. Monuments built to commemorate historical events.

a) Monuments related to the history of the founding of the city.

Foundation of the Saransk fortress

At this place in 1641 the SARANSK fortress was founded as an important OUTPOST in the southeastern outskirts of the Russian State.

In 1982, a sculptural composition dedicated to the founders of the Saransk fortress was installed in the center of the capital of Mordovia. In the seventeenth century, on the site of the modern Fountain Descent (formerly Moscow Descent), a defensive watchtower rose, which later served as the border of the Saransk rampart. The author of the monument dedicated to the builders of the city is sculptor V.P. Kozin.

The military fortress, built in 1641, was the southeastern guard point of the Russian state. One of the oldest cities in the Middle Volga region, Saransk, formed on a hill between wetlands (“sara” in Finno-Ugric languages ​​means “swampy”), remained an important outpost holding back the raids of nomads until the eighteenth century.

Approximate location of the defensive fortress in modern city- this is the territory of Sovetskaya Square and Pushkin Park, once surrounded by earthen ramparts and deep ditches. Since 1651, Saransk became a district town and different times refers to the Kazan, Azov, Simbirsk and Penza provinces. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the city repeatedly changed its appearance (it burned to the ground three times and was rebuilt). Neither the watchtower nor the fortress has survived to this day. A historical reminder is a monument stone dedicated to the builders of the city of Saransk.Saransk is one of the oldest cities in the Middle Volga region. It arose in 1641 as a military fortress on the south-eastern outpost of the Moscow state, founded at the intersection of large horse-drawn roads that connected Astrakhan with Moscow, Crimea with Kazan.

Mordovian scientist I.K. Inzhevatov, in his works on the toponymy of Mordovia, talks about the origin of the name Saransk. If you look closely at the map of Mordovia, you will involuntarily notice that it is replete with names with the same basis - sar : Saransk, Insar, Sanaksara, Sarga, Insarovka, Bolshaya Sarka, Malaya Sarka, etc. This word is also found on maps of the regions neighboring Mordovia.

In the censuses of Mordovian settlements conducted in the 17th and XVIII centuries, there are also wordssara, sanaksara, sarley, sarguzha, sarpomra.

Word Sarah in Finnish, Karelian, Estonian and other Finno-Ugric languages ​​it was and is now used to designate swampy, soggy places.

Saransk really arose on the shore, surrounded by large sars. The Saranka River, called Sarley in the 17th century, formed a huge swampy area near the city. Further, beyond the current line railway, another sara began, very extensive, which is why it received the name Insar (not - big). The Insar River created a wide swampy floodplain.

Initially the city was called Saranesk.

The Saransk fortress had an almost square shape. The Saranka River flowed through the territory of the fortress. The fortress was surrounded on all sides by an earthen rampart with corner wooden towers and a high palisade. On the outside of the rampart there were deep ditches. On the inside there were also wooden walls with devices for defense.

The first settlers of the Saransk fortress were Cossacks and archers, who carried out guard duty here. Until the 18th century, the city was divided into settlements, which were initially fortified.

Since 1651 Saransk - county town. When the provinces were formed in 1708, it was classified as Azov, then Kazan, Simbirsk, and from 1801 to Penza.

Over more than three centuries of history, the city has witnessed many events. In 1670, the Saransk fortress was besieged and taken by the troops of Stepan Razin, after which Saransk became one of the strongholds of the Razins. In 1774, E. I. Pugachev entered the city with his army, and was greeted by the population with great honors.

Monument to E. Pugachev.

At the fork of Korolenko and Volgogradskaya streets, where from June 27 to July 3, 1774, the headquarters of the Pugachev troops passing through Saransk were located. This place is immortalized by a monumental structure in the form of a fortress wall with cast iron cannons and a granite block.

Building on the street Soviet No. 49-a(in the courtyard of the Central Hotel). In it, on July 28, 1774, Archimandrite Alexander received E.I. Pugachev with the cross and the gospel. A memorial plaque was installed on the building in 1974.

A memorial place at the intersection of Kommunisticheskaya and Rabochaya streets, near house No. 9,that at the bridge over the river. Insar. Memorial plaque with the inscription: “Here on July 27, 1774, residents of the city of Saransk solemnly welcomed the leader peasant war E.I. Pugacheva".

Pugachev tent(Moskovskaya St., 48). This ancient stone tent belonged to the widow of the Saransk governor Kamenitsky. It is covered in legends telling about the terrible events of 1774. Here, according to legend, E. I. Pugachev organized feasts, here, from the high porch of the tent, his “royal manifestos” were read, here, on the complaint of the poultry woman and on the orders of the leader of the uprising was executed - hanged on the gate - and she herself war widow.

Monument "Forever with Russia"

In honor of the centuries-old friendship of the Mordovian people with the Russians and other peoples of the country. Authors: sculptor I. D. Brodsky, architect I. A. Pokrovsky. Opened November 6, 1986

The monument is located on the Alley of Friendship.

Alley of Friendship. Laid out in honor of the 500th anniversary of the voluntary entry of the Mordsky people into the Russian state. 1985

b) Monuments builtin honor of the historical major victories of the Soviet Army and the feat of the Russian people in the Great Patriotic War.

Monument to the soldiers of Mordovia who died in the Great Patriotic War.

Opened on May 9, 1970. The composition of the monument is simple and solemnly strict. Mother Mordovia hands a sword to her son-soldier.On the 18-meter granite pylon standing near the monument there is an inscription: “Eternal glory to the soldiers who fell in battles for the freedom and independence of the Soviet Motherland in the Great Patriotic War of 1941 - 1945.” You took your own life to save a life. Your feat, your names are forever in the hearts of a grateful people.” The Eternal Flame burns next to the monument.Sculptor N.V. Tomsky, architect A.N. Dushkin.

In 2004-2005, a memorial wall was installed on the southern side of the monument (architects V. A. Brodovsky and I. V. Solovyov) - an archedlength of the structure54 meters with two rows of columns, between which there are 10 pylons, lined with black polished stone, with the names of warriors - natives of Saransk, who died during the Great Patriotic War Patriotic War.

On May 6, 1995, the Museum of Military and Labor Feats of 1941 - 1945, built next to the monument, was opened. (architects R. G. Kananin, A. V. Kostin). Next to the museum there is an open-air exhibition of combat armored and artillery equipment.

Memorial Cemetery

Prominent figures of science, culture and art are buried in the cemetery: writer P. S. Kirillov, sculptor S. D. Erzya, artists F. V. Sychkov, V. D. Khrymov, composer L. P. Kiryukov, singer I. M. Yaushev, scientist M. N. Kolyadenkov.

Located on the western outskirts of the city. Here are the mass graves of participants in the Great Patriotic War who died from severe wounds in evacuation hospitals in Saransk. On a pedestal near the Eternal Flame stands the Grieving Mother. The authors of the monument are sculptor N.I. Kondratyev and architect P.P. Danelenko.

Every year on Victory Day, May 9, thousands of citizens come to the cemetery and lay wreaths and flowers on the graves. The banners are lowered, the youth take an oath to be worthy of the memory of their fathers

Monument "Airplane"

Located in the city center at the intersection of Sovetskaya-Proletarskaya streets, not far from the State Russian Drama Theater of Mordovia.

Built in memory of the military exploits of fellow aviators who bravely defended our Motherland from fascist invaders during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. Installed on the day of the XXX anniversary of the Victory on May 9, 1975.

Monument "Escape from Hell"»

Escape from hell... Every resident of Mordovia knows about the legendary feat of the Hero of the Soviet Union, our fellow countryman Mikhail Devyatayev, who managed to escape from hopeless fascist captivity on an enemy plane. The name of the pilot is immortalized in books and films, in the name of one of the warships of the Russian fleet... The initiator of the installation of the monument is the author of the All-Russian Walk of Fame project, Sergei Serdyukov, the nephew of one of the nine concentration camp prisoners who helped Mikhail Devyatayev. Completely disinterestedly, Sergei and his brother Mikhail decided to erect ten monuments to the participants of “Escape from Hell” - one each in the small homeland of the heroes... On the granite monument there is an image of the bomber on which the prisoners flew away from the concentration camp, the inscription: “Escape from Hell” and the names of all participants escape: Mikhail Devyatayev, Trofim Serdyukov, Ivan Krivonogov, Vladimir Sokolov, Vladimir Nemchenko, Fyodor Adamov, Ivan Oleynik, Mikhail Yemets, Pyotr Kutergin, Nikolai Urbanovich. The words below them are like a low bow to the heroes from everyone living today: “The descendants are grateful to you, dear ones, for the fact that you persevered and won”...

Monument "Tank T-34"

It was erected in the year of the 40th anniversary of the Victory in honor of the workers of Mordovia who collected funds during the Great Patriotic War for the construction of the “Mordovian Collective Farmer” tank column. Located in the northwestern area of ​​the city.

Named by the decision of the City Council on November 15, 1983 in honor of Hero of the Soviet Union P. A. Tsaplin (1906-1937).

Tsaplina Boulevard is located on the northern side of Svetotekhniki next to the street. A. Luss, connects st. Veselovsky and Pushkin. On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the victory Soviet people During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, a T-34 tank was installed on the boulevard. The memorial sign was erected in honor of the home front workers of the republic, who collected more than 36 million rubles for the construction of the “Mordovian Collective Farmer” tank column.

Monument to Podolsk cadets

It was erected in the year of the 40th anniversary of the Victory in honor of the cadets of the Podolsk military schools who underwent military training in the 10th reserve regiment in Saransk, who showed massive heroism, courage and bravery in October 1941 while defending the capital of our homeland - Moscow.

It was formed at the junction of Gagarin, Komarov, etc. streets "50 years of October". It was created on a vacant lot in the southwestern part. In the early 70s, the contours of the green zone and pedestrian paths were determined. Trees and shrubs were planted, and a metal fence was erected.

In 1985, the country widely celebrated the 40th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War over Nazi Germany. In honor of this significant event, on May 6, 1985, a memorial sign was erected in the park in honor of the military feat of the cadets of Podolsk schools - the defenders of Moscow in 1941.

The feat of Podolsk cadets who took on an unequal battle with selected motorized units of the Nazis near Moscow in October 1941 is covered in legends. For two weeks they held back the enemy in the Maloyaroslavl direction, gaining time to strengthen the defense of the capital of the Soviet Motherland. Young men sent to schools from the Saransk recruiting station fought among the cadets. This point was then located in the area of ​​​​the present South-West.

In memory of the heroic feat of the military cadets, a 75-mm cannon is installed on a massive concrete pedestal in the park named after them. On a plate attached to the foreground of the pedestal. marked with the Order of the Patriotic War and the inscription: “The memorial sign was erected in the year of the 40th anniversary of the Victory in honor of the cadets of the Podolsk military schools who underwent military training in the 10th reserve regiment in the city of Saransk, who showed massive heroism, courage and bravery in October 1941 at defense of the capital of our Motherland, Moscow." Grateful townspeople lay flowers in front of the memorial sign.

Students who studied at Moscow State University named after N.P. Ogarev and those who died during the Second World War of 1941-1945.

c) Monuments that reflect the history of our country.

Monument to those killed during the Civil War of 1918.

It appeared in 1951 on the corner of the street. Moscow and Republican on the basis of the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the MASSR dated April 28 and the decision of the City Council of May 22, 1951. Here, to the walls of the Mordovian Republican Museum of Local Lore, the remains of fighters for the cause of the revolution were transferred from Sovetskaya Square and reburied with honors in mass grave. A small obelisk topped with a five-pointed star was erected on an earthen mound. Below the obelisk lay a metal plate with the names of food commissar P. S. Semenov, employee of the Izvestia of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, agitator A. Ya. Luss, pro-army members P. N. Lukin, D. I. Zotov, N. A. Krupnov, I. V. Sazonov , P. E. Trushina, I. S. Maksimova. The foot of the monument was bordered by a massive metal chain stretched on posts. Construction of the monument and crypt to the "Fighters of the Revolution" was completed by September 1951. The old Bolshevik M.I. Spiridonov, the Red Guards P.I. Mishin and A.D. Spiridonov took part in its construction.

For the 60th anniversary of the Great October Revolution, the square was completely rebuilt. In the center on a large earthen hill there is a monument to “Fighters for Soviet power"The authors of the monument are Leningrad sculptor G. D. Glikman, architect Professor V. S. Vasilkovsky

Monument to the "Heroes-Stratonauts"

If you come to Saransk by train, then on the station square you will see a monument to the stratonaut heroes. On a high round pedestal stands a bronze figure of a young man looking up. No matter from which side you look at this figure, the impression is the same, his hands will now become wings, and he will fly far to the stars. This monument is a symbol of courage, romance, thirst for achievement. He, as it were, welcomes our guests and calls everyone to heroic deeds in the name of the prosperity of our Motherland.

Who are the heroes of the stratonauts? On the pedestal there are bas-relief portraits of the conquerors of the stratosphere Pavel Fedoseenko, Andrey Vasenko and Ilya Usyskin and the inscription “To the Stratonaut Heroes.” It was they who began to pave the way into space.

In January 1934, they rose on a stratospheric balloon to a height of 22 km. The flight was carried out on the Osoaviakhim-1 stratospheric balloon, developed by A. Vasenko. During its descent, the stratospheric balloon suffered an accident and fell on the territory of Mordovia. One of the stratonauts, Ilya Usyskin, is a native of Mordovia. The heroes are buried on Red Square in Moscow. The townspeople honor the memory of the brave stratonauts. Streets are named after their names.

Monument to "Heroes of Firefighters"

Installed in honor of the heroic firefighters who died in the line of duty:

Tenyakshev M.A. - 1967
Kemaev G.A. - 1974
Shapkin V.V. - 1982
Bezrukov A.S. 1983
Akmaikin O.B. 1996

Monument to Internationalist Soldierswas installed on Victory Square in 2005. The authors of the monument are architect V.A. Brodovsky and sculptor N.M. Filatov.

2.Monuments associated with names famous people(writers, scientists, public figures, heroes)

a) Monuments to famous people whose names are associated with the history of the Mordovian region.

Monument to S.D. Erze

The monument was opened on November 4, 1996 on the 120th anniversary of the birth of S. D. Erzya. Sculptor N. M. Filatov, architect V. V. Godunov.

One of the attractions of the Republic of Mordovia is the Mordovia Republican Museum of Fine Arts named after S.D. Erzi. The history of its formation goes back to pre-war times. On March 14, 1941, the Council of People's Commissars of the Mordovian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic adopted a Resolution on the opening of an artistic art gallery, but the war delayed the formation of the museum for a long time. It was opened on January 10, 1960 and named the Mordovian Republican Art Gallery named after F.V. Sychkova.

Monument to M.E. Evseviev.

Monument to A.I. Polezhaev

In 1967, at the intersection of Proletarskaya and Polezhaev streets, a monument to the poet and revolutionary democrat Alexander Ivanovich Polezhaev was unveiled. The author of the monument is sculptor M.I. Kozhina. The poet is depicted full-length with an overcoat thrown over his shoulder. The figure is cast from non-ferrous metal.

A. I. Polezhaev (1804-1838) spent years in Saransk early childhood. He was born in the village. Ruzaevka, Ruzaevsky district, on the estate of the Struisky landowners. The poet had a difficult fate. For his freedom-loving poetry, he was exiled by Nicholas I to the Caucasus.

Residents of Mordovia highly honor the memory of A.I. Polezhaev. One of the central streets is named after him. The Mordovian book publishing house has published collections of Polezhaev's poems; studies and books are devoted to his work.

Polezhaev (Alexander Ivanovich, 1805 - 1838) - an outstanding poet. His father is a landowner of the Penza province, Struisky, his mother is a serf of this landowner, who was later married to the Saransk tradesman Polezhaev, from whom the poet received his name.

Monument to N.P. Ogarev

Installed at the entrance to the main building of Mordovian State University.

Ogarev Nikolai Platonovich, Russian revolutionary, publicist, poet. Born in St. Petersburg. From the nobles. From 1830 he studied at Moscow University, where a student circle with a pronounced political orientation arose around Ogarev and his friend A.I. Herzen. In the summer of 1834, O., together with some other members of the circle, was arrested, and in April 1835 he was exiled to the Penza province. In 1839 he received permission to live in Moscow. From 1840 he published poems, which were sympathetically received by V.G. Belinsky. 1841-46 spent mostly in Germany, Italy, France; attended a course of lectures on philosophy and natural sciences at the University of Berlin, and attended medical school in Paris. From the end of 1846 he lived on the Penza estate. In 1850 he was arrested again, but was soon released. In 1856 he emigrated to Great Britain.

N.P. Ogarev entered Russian literature as a continuer of the traditions of Decembrist poetry. His work reflects the history of the soul the best people Russia 30-40s.

Ogarev was born in St. Petersburg, in the family of a wealthy Penza landowner. As a child (in the mid-20s) he met Herzen and became his friend and companion forever. The friends dreamed of devoting their lives to the liberation of the people, to continue the feat of the Decembrists, which they once swore on the Sparrow Hills.

Ogarev - an outstanding figure of Russian liberation movement, a remarkable thinker, publicist and poet.

Monument to Admiral F.F. Ushakov

Total monuments to Admiral F.F. Ushakov is three in Saransk. The first - a stele on the Walk of Fame is dedicated to the native of Mordovia, Fleet Admiral F.F. Ushakov. It attracts the eyes of the townspeople and guests of Saransk with the sailboat crowning it.

The second monument, the work of sculptor N.M. Filatova, located on Bolshevistskaya Street.
The third monument is located near our school No. 3.

Outstanding Russian naval commander, admiral. Graduated from the Naval Cadet Corps (1766). He served in the Baltic Fleet, from 1769 in the Don (Azov) Flotilla, participated in the Russian - Turkish war 1768 - 1774.
In 1944, the USSR established the Military Order of Ushakov of two degrees and the Ushakov Medal. A bay in the Bering Sea and a cape in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk are named after him.

. The name of the outstanding Russian naval commander, Admiral Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov, is closely connected with Mordovia. The famous admiral, who won all his military battles and did not lose a single ship, did not surrender a single sailor to the enemy, gave his entire life to serving the fleet. In Mordovia he spent last years own life; During the Patriotic War of 1812, a hospital for wounded soldiers, a hospital and a church were built here at his expense. Credited as Russian Orthodox Church canonized, Saint Theodore is revered as the patron saint of Mordovia. His relics rest in the Sanaksar monastery in the Temnikovsky district of the republic. In the center of Saransk, on the northern side of Svyato-Fedorovsky cathedral, a monument to the legendary admiral was erected. The monument embodies the idea of ​​preserving the memory of the heroic past of the Russian people. The bronze sculpture is installed on a high pedestal lined with granite. The admiral is depicted without a headdress, in his right hand he holds a telescope, his left hand is lowered to the sword.

The legendary naval commander has an indirect relationship with Saransk - he spent the last years of his life on his Alekseevka estate on the territory of the republic. After his recent canonization, Ushakov became the patron saint of military sailors and almost as much a hero of Saransk as the sculptor Erzya.

b) Monuments dedicated to famous Russian writers, public and church figures.
Monument to A.S. Pushkin

Installed in the park of culture and recreation named after. A.S. Pushkin, as well as on Fountain Descent leading to the park.

In 1899, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the poet’s birth, the city garden was given the name “Pushkinsky” and a monument-bust to A.S. Pushkin was erected. This monument is kept in the Republican Museum of Local Lore. In 1977, a new monument to Pushkin was erected in its place, sculptor E. F. Belashova and architect V. Voskresensky.

Pushkin entered Russian culture not only as a Poet, but also as a brilliant master of life, a man who was given an unheard of gift to be happy even in the most tragic circumstances. A. Blok said: “Our memory keeps from childhood a cheerful name: Pushkin.”

Monument to Patriarch Nikon

The monument in honor of Nikon, the sixth Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', was opened in 2006. Alexy II consecrated it on the opening day. The authors of the monument are sculptor N.M. Filatov and architect S.P. Khodnev.

The most important church and political events in the life of the Russian state are associated with the name of Patriarch Nikon. On the territory of Russia, only in Saransk there is a monument dedicated to Nikon. The authorities of Mordovia decided to perpetuate the memory in this monument church leader, who played a crucial role in the Christianization of the Mordovian people.

The installation of the monument was timed to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the birth of the Russian saint. Although Patriarch Nikon was born in the village of Veldemanovo in the neighboring Nizhny Novgorod region, in Saransk he is considered the son of the Mordovian people. For his anniversary, a worship cross made of black marble with the inscription “To His Holiness the Patriarch of All Rus' Nikon from the Mordovian people” was installed on the site of the patriarch’s parental home.

Monument to V. Vysotsky.

Installed in the park named after A.S. Pushkin.

After October 1917, monuments dedicated to the leaders of the ruling Communist Party appeared in the cities and villages of the Russian Republic, and then in the USSR. Especially many monuments were erected in honor of V.I. Lenin.

Monument to V.I. Lenin

In 1960, a monument to V.I. Lenin was unveiled on Sovetskaya Square. Its authors - folk artist USSR, academician, sculptor N.V. Tomsky, architect A.N. Dushkin.

The main religious building is a monument to the leader of the world proletariat. The Christmas trees planted thirty years ago have grown and greatly influenced the loss of the greatness of the formidable figure.

The majestic figure of the leader is cast from bronze, the pedestal is made of dark red polished granite. Near the monument there is a picturesque square and flower beds. Citizens and guests of our city come here.

3. Monuments related to the development of science and technology, culture and life,memorial sites associated with modern development our city.

These are new monuments that have become favorite vacation spots for citizens, symbolizing human values: goodness, faith, love. The construction of these monuments is also associated with the emergence of new traditions among the residents of our city.

Monument to the fox.

The fox is a symbol of the Republic of Mordovia. It is present both on the coat of arms of the republic and on the coat of arms of Saransk, the capital of Mordovia.

The red fox first appeared on the coat of arms of the city of Saransk in the 18th century, and then it symbolized the wealth of the surrounding forests with valuable fur animals and hunting. For the modern city and its inhabitants, the fox has become a symbol of intelligence, wealth and enterprise.

In June 2011, the city celebrated its 370th anniversary.

On this occasion, MordovSpirt OJSC (the largest producer of high-quality alcohol and alcoholic products) presented the city with a bronze chanterelle.

The monument is located on the embankment of the Saranka River, near the building art school named after Ryabov.

There are also especially emotional monuments, or rather, romantic ones. It was opened in August 2009 Fox bridge. It is located in the recreation area in front of the Mordovian Museum of Fine Arts. In the center, on a pedestal of 3 arrows, is the symbol of Saransk - the fox. Fortune telling balls are also attached here. With their help you can look into the future. And if you stroke the tail of a fox, you will get rich, and if you stroke the nose, you will meet good luck. The author of the project is V. Kuznetsov.

Monument to the family.

In 2008, monuments dedicated to the family appeared in many Russian cities. This year was officially recognized as the year of the family in our country.

In Saransk, a monument to the happy large family was installed next to the Temple of Fyodor Ushakov, at the intersection of Sovetskaya and Democratic streets.

Monument to hospitality “Make yourself at home!”, which is located nearcentral hotel "Saransk" of the capital of Mordovia, entered the top tenunusual in Russia. Its author is the Erzya sculptor Gregory Filatov.

In the center of Saransk, opposite the park named after. A. S. Pushkin, the symbolic “grew”"Tree of Love and Harmony."The new art object was donated to the city by the Megafon company, which celebrated the 12th anniversary of its work in Mordovia in such an unusual way. The sculpture is more than two meters high and represents a forged oak tree with green leaves and acorns. This is a difficult tree: if the newlyweds hang a lock on its branches and throw the key into a nearby river, nothing can destroy their union.

A monument has been erected near the maternity hospital building" New life". The bronze boy in cabbage promises the fulfillment of wishes.

Monument to the janitor.

On May 4, 2010, a monument to a janitor was erected behind the city administration building in Saransk.

The creator of the bronze wiper is the famous sculptor Grigory Filatov in the republic, who called his creation “Uncle Fedor” and worked on it for about a year.

Already an elderly man, in a hat with earflaps, high boots, an apron and with the usual tool in his hands, removes garbage from the city streets - this is how this monument is presented in Saransk.

For those who have never been to the capital of Mordovia, I can say that this is the cleanest and most comfortable city in Russia. Therefore, the monument to the janitor is not only an interesting tourist attraction, but also a tribute to the people involved in cleaning and landscaping on the city streets.

Monument to a plumber.

A monument to an ordinary plumber has been erected in many cities and countries. Two years ago he appeared in Saransk. The monument is located on Communist Square next to the chamomile fountain. A good-natured plumber with a wrench in his hand, adjusting his hat, cheerfully looks at all passers-by. Local residents admit that the monument makes them smile. Some people even throw coins into the “hatch.” And several times someone put a bouquet of flowers nearby.

Many new monuments appeared in the park named after. A.S. Pushkin. The park displays the works of sculptor Filatov. INheroes are embodied in sculptures Pushkin's fairy tales: “A scientist cat on a chain”, “An old man and an old woman at the very blue sea”

Monument to the scientist cat from Lukomorye. The cat is made in a cartoon-fairy-tale style style.

"Old Woman Shapoklyak"

Composition "Kiss"

In 2012, in August, Millennium Square was built to celebrate the millennium of the unity of Russians and Mordovians. There are memorial stones in the square near the library. They will remind city residents about the holiday.

Flowers for the 1000th anniversary. (Were installed for the holiday of the unity of the Mordovians with the peoples of Russia)

Another building. This is the Mordovian National Theater.

There are six columns in front of the theater. There are four figures between the columns. They are allegorical.

An old man leaning on a staff is a connection with the past, with the roots of his people.

A young man releasing a bird is a symbol of aspiration to the future.

Mokshanka holds a bratina (chalice) in her hands - a symbol of the hospitality of the Mordovian people.

An Erzyan woman holds in her hand a branch of a blossoming apple tree - a symbol of the heyday of Mordovian art.

Total, according to Ministry of Culture, there were 112 monuments in Saransk.

Conclusions.

Having become acquainted with the monuments of my city, I divided them into groups:

1. Monuments built in memory of historical events;

2. Monuments associated with the names of famous people (writers, scientists, public figures, heroes);

3. Monuments related to the development of science and technology, culture and life,memorable places associated with the modern development of our city.

In the course of the work, it was established that all the monuments are of great value and reflect the history of our republic and country. They are the keepers of the memory of those events that took place at different times, about the people who made history.

It is necessary to know the history of the creation of monuments so that this knowledge is passed on from generation to generation. IN Lately built in the citynew monuments that have become favorite vacation spots for city residents, symbolizing human values: goodness, faith, love. The construction of these monuments is also associated with the emergence of new traditions among the residents of our city.

Offers.

Make a presentation of your work for students of our school in order to popularize knowledge about the history of the monuments of our city.

Conclusion.

Passing by this or that monument, you think, remember, and are surprised. It turns out that many historical events did not pass our city by. Cultural heritage What we have inherited must be kept in order and we must ensure that the monuments are not destroyed. After all, you cannot build the future without knowing your past.

Our task is not only to maintain monuments in order, but to know the history of our people, city, region and pass this knowledge on to descendants.

They are a reminder of our rich history and are a link with our ancestors. After all, human wisdom says: “Only the country in which people remember their past is worthy of the future.”

“Until a person touches history, he remains in infancy, for he exists today. Each generation leaves the fruits of its labor and mental activity, but how much does this legacy mean if the connection of times is interrupted, and we are unable to convey historical memory to our descendants? " - these are lines from S. Bakhmustov’s book “The Torn Necklace.”

Bibliography

1. Voronin I.D. Sights of Mordovia.- Saransk: Mordov. book publishing house, 2004.

2. Meet Saransk. Guide - reference book. - Saransk: Mordov. book publishing house, 1986.

3. Kuklin V.N. Biographies of Saransk streets. - Saransk: Mordov. book publishing house, 1990.

4. Kosenkov A. I’m walking through my hometown. - Saransk: Mordov. book publishing house, 1979.

5. Saransk is the capital of Mordovia. Stories about the capital of our republic for young readers. - Saransk: Publishing Center of the Historical and Sociological Institute of Moscow State University. N.P. Ogareva, 2007.

6. Saransk lights up. - Saransk: Mordov. book publishing house, 1981.

When a person realized himself as a creator and he acquired the talent to depict using various materials, he embodied this skill in sculptural art. We can only admire the fruits of human creation and praise the most famous monuments world, which is what we will happily do in this article. Next, we will talk about the most popular and exciting monuments, which to this day attract millions of eyes of tourists from all over the world.

Sphinx (Gizeh, Egypt)

This mysterious monument raises more questions than it answers. Many world scientists are still at a loss and cannot understand how people could create such a monumental creation around 2400 BC. There is an opinion that a man with the body of a lion is the embodiment and symbol of the reign of the ancient pharaoh Khafre. In a completely unimaginable way, the Egyptians managed to carve a sculpture 20 meters high and 72 meters long from limestone rock. But the main secret is hidden in the name of the sculpture - Sphinx. Scientists have calculated that the word “Sphinx” itself is of Greek origin, and it was assigned to the monument long after its construction.

Jesus Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

The monument to Jesus Christ the Redeemer has long been business card the Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro and the constant main symbol for the Brazilians themselves. The monument achieved such an amazing bonding effect because of the unity of the citizens of Brazil, who donated their hard-earned money to finance its creation. Thus, Brazil's largest charitable project managed to collect 2.5 million flights, for which the 38-meter monument was built. Work on the monument to Jesus Christ the Redeemer lasted ten years from 1921 to 1931. Now this monument is not only a symbol of the country for Brazilians, but also the most impressive sculptural creation of humanity, which millions of tourists from different parts of the world come to see with their own eyes.

Genghis Khan (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia)

A fifty-meter high monument depicting Genghis Khan was built near the desert of Ulaanbaatar, which is located in Mongolia. The pedestal of this giant monument is surrounded by 36 strong columns and houses not only one of the largest historical museums in Mongolia, but also an entertainment complex for tourists. The monument is of significant historical character for the people of Mongolia. The monument itself was built relatively recently, already in the 21st century, but thanks to its impressive scale and excellent quality of workmanship, it has gained great popularity among tourists and has already been included in the list of the most famous monuments in the world.

Buddha (Leshan, China)

The Leshan Buddha Monument is one of the oldest and main monuments dedicated to the Buddhist religion. The Leshan Buddha sculpture was built in 713 AD. The gigantic 70-meter figure of Buddha is hard to miss, because the monument is carved right in the middle of the rock in Mount Lingyunshan. This world monument was created over the course of 90 long years and was revealed to people only in the 17th century, after the temple on the river bank near the rock was completely destroyed.

Statue of Liberty (New York, USA)

Few people know that the famous American symbol of freedom in New York is not at all the work of Americans. The Statue of Liberty is only a gift to the entire American people from the French government in honor of the centenary of the signing and proclamation of the US Declaration of Independence. The 93-meter-long Statue of Liberty, located near Manhattan, is not only the personification of will and democracy, but also a symbol of human rights and the rule of law.

Motherland on Mamayev Kurgan (Volgograd, Russia)

Perhaps the main and most significant monument in Russia, built in honor of the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad on Mamayev Kurgan. The monument represents the Motherland, which calls its sons into battle against the ruthless enemies. That's why her mouth is open. The Motherland is one of the most complex monuments in the world in terms of technical calculations regarding stability and reliability. The monument is a brilliant creation sculptor-monumentalist Evgeniy Vuchetich.

Moai stone statues (Easter Island, Chile)

Reaching up to 9 meters in length, these famous Easter Island stone statues, along with the Egyptian Sphinx, are among the most mysterious monuments in the world. In total, there are 887 statues on the Chilean island, many of which were not even completed. All the statues were made between the mid-11th and 14th centuries. That is why the statues are made in four completely different styles. And the later the statue was built, the more complex it was made. Scientists around the world are still arguing among themselves over how such heavy statues were moved and placed in the right places.

Of course, there are still a huge number of monuments around the world, but, believe me, the monuments listed above are the most famous monuments, which we wish every person on Earth to see with their own eyes.

We talk about the most striking, unexpected and controversial Russian monuments.

Kings and heroes, animals and birds, fruits and vegetables, ideas and fantasies - even what cannot be seen or touched can be immortalized.

Veliky Novgorod: “Millennium of Russia”

There is no other such monument in the world: the centuries-old history of the country in faces fits on a granite pedestal. The monument “Millennium of Russia” was created in honor of the anniversary of the calling of the Varangians to Rus'. The winner of the competition for the best project was the artist Mikhail Mikeshin. He immediately found an artistic solution - a three-tiered monument in the shape of an inverted Monomakh cap.

The figures of the Russian rulers installed around the power sphere were also quickly decided upon, but the characters of the lower tier were chosen by the whole world. Mikeshin turned to scientists, historians, and writers for help - heated debates did not subside in the Academy of Arts and in the government. The final decision still had to be made by the sculptor; the list was approved by Alexander II.

Marina Zezelina / Shutterstock.com

There was also politics, so on the frieze there are Pushkin, Gogol and Suvorov, but there are no Koltsov, Shevchenko and Ushakov. The monument was unveiled in September 1862, and for the occasion the entire city was repaired and paved. Miraculously the monument survived the whirlwind of revolutionary events, but was severely destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. Immediately after the liberation of Novgorod it was restored - the second opening took place in November 1944. But the restoration continued for a long time, and only in 1995 the monument was restored to its original appearance.

Eagle: Ivan the Terrible, the one and only

yingko/Shutterstock.com

Ivan the Terrible is not on the “Millennium of Russia” monument: he staged a monstrous pogrom in Novgorod, exterminating many citizens. And there were no other monuments to the cruel ruler either - until last year, when a bronze figure of the king was erected in Orel for the 450th anniversary of the founding of the city. Controversy surrounding the sculpture erupted even before its opening. Due to public protests and legal proceedings The city authorities had to change the location and time of installation: instead of the square in front of the Youth Theater, the monument was placed on the embankment, at the confluence of the Oka and Orlik rivers, and not on City Day, August 5, but later. Not only the residents of Orel opposed the idea itself; an artist from the Krasnoyarsk Territory, as a sign of protest, erected an alternative monument to Ivan the Terrible in the form of a stake. But, according to official polls, more than 70% of Russians have a positive assessment of the role of this figure in history, and a stone statue of Ivan IV may soon appear in Aleksandrov.

Khanty-Mansiysk: mammoths on an ice floe

Valsib / Shutterstock.com

And the residents of Khanty-Mansiysk celebrated the birthday of their city with a completely different monument: for the 425th anniversary of the capital of the district, a sculptural composition “Mammoths” was opened on the territory of the Archeopark, which both local residents and tourists immediately fell in love with. First, a herd of seven bronze animals appeared at the foot of the glacial outcrop, and now there are already 11 of them. Khanty-Mansiysk was not chosen by chance - once upon a time mammoths actually roamed this land.

The monuments are life-size: from a huge mammoth to a cute three-meter baby mammoth. In the evening, the whole group is illuminated: the pedestal in the form of an ice floe is illuminated with cold bluish light, the figures of mammoths are illuminated with warmer tones. The composition includes not only prehistoric animals, but also flower beds with plants from the Jurassic period. In the Archeopark you can see other figures of ancient creatures and primitive people, as well as outcrops and the archaeological monument “Samarov Town”.

Voronezh: 10 days on a pedestal

A copy of the famous “Charging Bull” from New York Wall Street stood on the main street of Voronezh for only a week and a half, after which it was dismantled: the monument was not liked local residents, and city hall officials decided that the statue did not fit into the concept of the literary boulevard. The figure of an angry bull appeared in the capital of the Black Earth Region on the initiative of a Moscow construction company, which built the Solnechny Olympus residential complex in Voronezh and landscaped part of pedestrian street. Having failed to find understanding among the townspeople and authorities, the director of the company promised to transport the sculpture to Moscow. The story ended sadly: just recently, a bronze bull worth 40 thousand euros was discovered in the courtyard of the “Solar Olympus” - now it decorates the area for garbage containers.

Tomsk: the smallest monument in the world

Maria Anikina

In the monumental rows of bronze leaders and gigantic animals, there are also miniature works of art, and in 2013, the smallest monument in the world appeared in Tomsk - in the middle of a small lawn, a tiny frog-traveler sits on a stone. The height of the sculpture is only 44 mm.

According to the author of the work, Oleg Kislitsky, the monument was immediately conceived as “the very best.” Creating the largest monument in the world would cost a pretty penny, so the exact opposite decision was made. The mini-sculpture is dedicated to travelers and is located next to the Tomsk Hotel. Here, at the entrance, you can see another work by Kislitsky - a monument to house slippers. In 2014, the traveling frog suffered at the hands of vandals - it was thrown from the pedestal. The monument was restored and is now protected by a glass dome.

Ekaterinburg: an invisible monument

The most inconspicuous monument stands in the center of Yekaterinburg, but it is indeed not easy to find it: in the summer it hides in the grass, in the winter - under the snow, repeating the fate of its prototype - the invisible man. This is a small square slab with prints of two different feet: the left one is size 43, the right one is size 41. The traces in bronze were left by the authors of the project: writer Evgeny Kasimov and artist Alexander Shaburov came up with and cast the monument in just a week. The creators of the unusual image of the invisible man claim that their work is dedicated not so much to the hero of H.G. Wells, but to the tragedy of loneliness, a world where people communicate without seeing each other.

St. Petersburg: reading angel

Another fictional character perched on the back of a bench in Izmailovsky Park Northern capital. This is one of the brightest and most sincere monuments - a little reading angel in a long coat and an old-fashioned hat.

Before turning to monumental art, artist Roman Shustrov did theatrical puppets- bright and characteristic, and “Petersburg Angel” became his first work in bronze. The touching figurine does not symbolize a specific person or literary hero, but a whole generation. “The sculpture “Petersburg Angel” is dedicated to the old people from my Leningrad childhood, bearers of a special spiritual culture and intelligence. These old people, having survived all the hardships of the first half of the 20th century, retained optimism,” the artist writes in his blog. The nice monument quickly acquired its own signs: if you stroke an umbrella, the weather will be good.

Samara: the warmest monument

FotograFFF / Shutterstock.com

Domestic monuments perpetuate not only people and ideas, but also very specific benefits of civilization: in Mytishchi there is a monument to the water supply system, in Samara - to the battery. The latter was opened on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the invention of the heating battery on the wall of the entrance to the oldest Samara State District Power Plant in Russia. And so that the composition did not look too harsh, it was supplemented with a cat. The Samaraenergo company announced a competition for photographs of cats warming themselves by a radiator; the best photo became the prototype for the monument.

This decision was not reached immediately: according to the original plan, the monument was supposed to consist of an intricacy of pipes leading to the battery - this would symbolize the technical complexity of Samara’s heating system. But the technogenic project was rejected. The option with a cat warming itself directly on the radiator was also not approved, since during normal operation of the system the radiators get so hot that no animal can withstand such heat. As a result, the heat-loving creature was placed on the windowsill above the radiator.

Abakan: Siberian watermelon

Sergei Mironov

In the Moscow region - a cucumber, in Kursk - an apple, in Sochi - a pumpkin, in Abakan - a watermelon. There are a lot of striped monuments in the world, but if somewhere in Kherson or the Volga region no one will be surprised by such a monument, then for Eastern Siberia it is truly exotic.

It turns out that the largest berry thrives in Khakassia: the Minusinsk Basin has a unique microclimate, and the juicy and sweet fruits are not inferior in taste to their Astrakhan counterparts. In honor of the high yields of local watermelons, a two-meter stainless steel structure was installed on the highway near Abakan. The metal berry is painted in full accordance with the original and looks very natural.

Moscow: Peter I, the great and terrible

The tallest, heaviest and most controversial is the monument to Peter the Great on the Moscow River. The monument by Zurab Tsereteli was installed here almost 20 years ago, but there is still no consensus: some consider it grandiose and majestic, others consider it bulky and absurd.

The three-tiered 98-meter sculpture was disliked for its gigantic size, strange proportions and historical inconsistencies. For example, for some reason the emperor is dressed in a Spanish costume of the 15th century, and the rostra of enemy ships is decorated with the St. Andrew's flag. To many, the monument seems simply inappropriate, since the reformer tsar did not like patriarchal Moscow and, as is known, moved the capital to the banks of the Neva. There were also repeated attempts to move Bronze Peter and even blow it up, and in 2008 the monument was included in the list of the ugliest buildings in the world.

alexeyart / Shutterstock.com

Nevertheless, ten Russian cities were ready to accept him, and only St. Petersburg refused to shelter the founding father: there is already a monument to Peter I by Tsereteli, and this statue was at one time “evicted” from the city center to Vasilievsky Island.