The largest monuments to the defenders of Stalingrad in the city. Notifications

Urban Ensemble Since the publication in 1889 of Camillo Zitte's book The Artistic Foundations of Urban Planning, the attention of urban researchers was riveted for a long time to a theme that meant the consolidation of a special mental structure. First, the city was reduced

TO HELP THE DEFENDERS OF THE REAR The treacherous attack of Nazi Germany on the USSR caused a huge outburst of indignation of the Soviet people, who vigorously stood up in defense of the socialist fatherland, in defense of their freedom, honor and dignity. While the Red Army

Location: Peschanka village, Sovetsky district of Volgograd.

On the outskirts of Peschanka, where the heaviest battles took place in 1942-1943, there is a strange building, in which it is not possible to immediately recognize the monument. Coming closer, you can see the signs of a memorial - a tombstone with a cross, flowers, wreaths... But first of all, a sharp figure made of rusty steel sheets seems to be one of the many fragments of shells left here from the war and now rising from the earth and striving into the sky. Once upon a time, this unusual sign of memory was aptly called a thorn.

The monument to all the victims of the Battle of Stalingrad was erected on June 8, 1996 at the expense of Austrian citizens. Fundraising in 1992-1993 was carried out by public organizations "Austrian Black Cross" and "Committee for 50 Years of Stalingrad".

In 1992, an agreement was concluded between the governments of the Russian Federation and the Federal Republic of Germany on the care of military graves. As part of the agreement, the German side is allowed to arrange and care for German military graves in Russia. In addition, the German government, at its own expense, ensures the preservation and care of Russian military graves in Germany. The agreement concerns those who died during the First and Second World Wars.

Initially, in negotiations with Volgograd officials and veterans, the Austrian side insisted on installing a monument in the city center - on the Bridge Square (now Reconciliation Square). However, in the end, the monument was erected in Peschanka, and in 1993 the Cross of Reconciliation between the peoples of Russia, Austria and Germany appeared on the Bridge Square.

The monument to all the victims of the Battle of Stalingrad was designed by the Austrian architect Johann Boyle. It looks deliberately simple, even rude. The sharp 10-meter edge of a pyramid made of ordinary steel, prone to rust, symbolizes the tools and materials of war in all their ugliness. "Thorn" leans towards a tombstone with a Catholic cross.

On the other side of the monument lies a granite slab. The inscription in German and Russian reads: “This monument is dedicated to all the victims of the Battle of Stalingrad 1942–43. It recalls the suffering of the soldiers and civilians who fell here. For those who fell here and died in captivity from all countries, we pray for eternal peace in the Russian land.

Despite the exhaustive inscription, sometimes the Spike is called a monument dedicated to the Austrians who died during the First and Second World Wars. But this is not so, the memorial was created in memory of all the victims of the war, regardless of nationality and belonging to any of the warring parties.

In September 1942, the Germans broke through to Stalingrad from three directions. In the south, in the steppe near Peschanka, there were fierce battles. Until now, not far from the monument, you can see the remains of the fortifications of those times - trenches, artillery caponiers.

Operational summary of September 9, 1942

40th Army. On September 8, two battalions of the 206th Rifle Division fought a firefight in the area of ​​2 kilometers southwest of the village of Peschanka. In the battle for September 7, parts of the division in the area southwest of the village of Peschanka destroyed up to 500 soldiers and officers, 4 mortar batteries, 8 machine guns, 3 wagons with ammunition; 1 dugout and 1 enemy observation post destroyed.
From the morning of September 8, the 64th Army, with right-flank units, repelled enemy attacks, with a force of up to two infantry regiments with 50 tanks, advancing from the direction of the Voroponovo station in the direction of the Peschanka area - height 143.5.
By 15:00 on September 8, the 138th Rifle Division was fighting at the turn of the western outskirts of the village of Peschanka - an unnamed height south of the 143.5 mark. As a result of an enemy tank attack, the 343rd Infantry Regiment of the division was almost completely destroyed. In the battle of September 8, 18 enemy tanks were knocked out and burned.

On September 11, Peschanka was captured by Nazi troops. There were bloody battles in Stalingrad, and here, in Peschanka, the local infirmary and the cemetery were massively transported the wounded and killed German soldiers. According to various sources, from 15 to 27 thousand soldiers and officers of the German side are buried here.

In addition to the unusual look of the "Ship", which is considered to be more German, there are three mass graves of Soviet soldiers in Peschanka.

In August 1942, in the Peschanka area, it was attacked by a German fighter, a Soviet Pe-2 bomber caught fire and exploded. He returned to his airfield in the Volga region. The names of the three dead pilots could not be established. Residents of Peschanka buried them at the local cemetery, and an aircraft propeller became a monument to the pilots.

The mass grave in the center of Peschanka appeared in 1943 after the settlement was liberated from the invaders; in 1965, an obelisk by the sculptor Shelkov was erected here. The names of 117 fallen Soviet soldiers - officers and soldiers - are inscribed on the tombstones, but the true number of those buried here is unknown.

In the battle near Peschanka on January 22, 1943, the famous sniper Maxim Passar, one of the most effective snipers of the Battle of Stalingrad, who destroyed more than 200 enemy soldiers and officers, died. Soviet troops attacked the enemy positions, but two machine guns firing from cover prevented the attackers from approaching. Passar was able to get close to the machine gunners at 100 meters and destroyed both crews. The attack was successful, but Maxim Passar himself died.
On January 25, 1943, in the battle near Peschanka, liaison Maxim Fefilov, who took command of the company after the death of the commander, led the fighters on the attack. Under heavy enemy fire, Fefilov's arrows broke through the barrage and were the first to occupy Peschanka. In this battle, more than 100 German soldiers and officers were destroyed, more than 200 were taken prisoner.

The monument to all the victims of the Battle of Stalingrad and three mass graves are looked after by local residents to the best of their ability - students and teachers of school No. 114 and the local TOS. The Austrian delegation, which comes to Peschanka every year, also contributes to the maintenance of the international memorial.

"Austrian Black Cross" is an international public organization in Austria, founded in 1919 to organize soldiers' burials and care for the graves of soldiers of all nationalities. In addition, he deals with the burials of those who died during the bombing, victims of political repression and refugees. It exists through donations. The headquarters is located in Vienna.

On October 15, 1967, the historical and memorial complex "To the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad" was opened on Mamaev Kurgan in Volgograd.

During the Great Patriotic War in the days of the Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943) stubborn battles took place on Mamaev Kurgan, located in the central part of Volgograd (from 1925 to 1961 - Stalingrad), especially in September 1942 - January 1943.

On front-line maps, the mound was marked as "height 102.0". It was of exceptional military importance, since it occupied a dominant position over the central part of the city, crossings across the Volga were clearly visible from above, industrial facilities and a railway station were within sight. Whoever owned the mound owned the city: to keep this height was a matter of life or death - the mound several times a day passed "from hand to hand" of the belligerents. But the Nazis could not completely master the mound. The eastern slopes staunchly and heroically defended the troops of the Red Army, repulsing the fierce attacks of the enemy.

For 140 days and nights, the troops of the 62nd Army under the command of Vasily Chuikov fought to the death on the slopes of Mamaev Kurgan. On January 26, 1943, on the northwestern slopes of the mound, units of the 21st Army united with the advancing 62nd Army. As a result of this connection, the fascist German group was divided into two parts and liquidated.

The fighting on Mamaev Kurgan was so fierce that even its outlines changed. Immediately after the battle, from 500 to 1250 fragments from shells were found on every square meter of his land. In the spring of 1943, even the grass did not turn green on it.

After the end of the battle on Mamaev Kurgan, the dead from all over the city were buried. According to approximate data, about 34.5 thousand people are buried there.

The idea to erect a majestic monument in memory of the Battle of Stalingrad arose immediately after the end of hostilities. In 1945-1955, a competition was held in the country for its project, and as a result, the People's Artist of the USSR, sculptor Yevgeny Vuchetich, became the author and leader of the author's team of builders, and Yakov Belopolsky was the chief architect. The construction of the monument began in May 1959, the opening took place on October 15, 1967.

The memorial complex "To the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad" is a unique structure, the total length from the foot to the top is 820 meters. The total area of ​​the complex is 177,758 square meters. It is a series of architectural and spatial links, as if strung on a single axis. As you climb the mound, more and more new elements and compositions of the memorial open up before your eyes.
The entrance to the memorial complex begins with an introductory composition located on V.I. Lenin at the foot of Mamaev Kurgan and bearing the name "Memory of Generations". It is a large high relief (sculpture in stone) depicting people of different generations (11 figures), who, in mournful silence, move along a half-ruined stone wall in the direction of the stairs leading to the mound to honor the memory of the dead.

After the introductory composition, 12 pedestals with the land of hero cities and the Brest Fortress were later installed on the square. From them, a wide staircase leads to the Alley of pyramidal poplars, which is laid along the crest of an artificial earthen embankment, rising 10 meters above the entrance square - Prospekt im. IN AND. Lenin. The alley is 223 meters long and 10 meters wide. Its upper level is higher than the lower one by 20 meters.

The square of heroes ends with a retaining wall, the area of ​​​​which is about one thousand square meters. On it, in the form of separate paintings-episodes in a relief image, the story of the offensive of the Soviet troops near Stalingrad, the joy of victory, the capture of the Nazis, the rally of the winners is reproduced.

In the retaining wall is the entrance to the Hall of Military Glory. In the passage to the hall there is a model of the medal "For the Defense of Stalingrad", inside on the ceiling there are 18 models of orders and medals of the USSR. In the center of the hall there is an image of the hand of the deceased hero with the torch of the Eternal Flame, the guard of honor is installed. There are 34 mosaic mourning banners with 7200 names on the walls, symbolizing all the fallen defenders of Stalingrad. Above - on the pictured ribbon from the medal is the inscription: "Yes, we were mere mortals, and few of us survived, but we all fulfilled our patriotic duty to the sacred Motherland."

The exit from the hall is located at the level of the next terrace - the Square of Sorrow.

On the square in the pool there is a sculpture "Mother's Sorrow": in boundless grief and sadness, the mother bent over the body of her murdered son. There are two graves on the Square of Sorrow. One is the single grave of Vasily Chuikov, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Marshal of the Soviet Union, former commander of the 62nd Army.

The second is a mass burial, where during the construction of the memorial 34505 (+ 4) soldiers (from the Stalingrad regions) were reburied. Later, the urns with the ashes of the Hero of the Soviet Union, the former commander of the 64th Army Mikhail Shumilov, the chairman of the City Defense Committee (during the war years) Alexei Chuyanov, were buried, the twice Hero of the Soviet Union pilot Vasily Efremov was buried, the famous sniper Hero of the Soviet Union Vasily Zaitsev was reburied. 37 memorial slabs with the names of especially distinguished defenders during the Battle of Stalingrad were laid along the grave, including the slab to the Unknown Soldier.

The compositional center of the ensemble is the Motherland sculpture. The monument depicts a woman holding a sword in her hand, who stands in a pose of a call to fight. The figure of the Motherland dominates not only over Mamayev Kurgan, but also over the city, it is visible for tens of kilometers. The height of the monument is 85 meters with a sword, 52 meters without a sword. The length of the sword is 33 meters, the weight of the sword is 14 tons. The entire monument weighs 8,000 tons. At the base, the sculpture is not fixed by anything, it stands under the weight of its own weight. Inside is hollow, there is a staircase in sculpture and a sword. It is made of reinforced concrete, the sword is steel.

To climb from the foot of the mound to its top, you need to go through 200 granite steps - the number of days of the Battle of Stalingrad.

Since the opening of the memorial complex Mamaev Kurgan has changed markedly. In 1985, a military memorial cemetery was opened. In 2005, the memorial complex got its own temple - All Saints. By 2013 (the 70th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Stalingrad) there were engraved with the names of 17 thousand defenders of Stalingrad.

The memorial complex "To the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad" by order of the Government of the Russian Federation was classified as a cultural heritage site of federal significance, and the sculpture "Motherland" - as a particularly valuable cultural heritage site of Russia in 2016.

In 2008, according to the results of the popular vote, the monument-ensemble "To the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad" and the sculpture "Motherland Calls!" were included in the "Seven Wonders of Russia". In 2013, following the results of a popular vote, Mamayev Kurgan and the sculpture "The Motherland Calls!" entered the top ten winners of the multimedia project-competition "Russia-10".

In 2014, the memorial complex "To the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad" on Mamaev Kurgan in Volgograd from the Russian Federation.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources

Volgograd is a large city on the Volga with a rich history. Stalingrad defended the pressure of the Nazis during fierce battles. The city was practically destroyed, but the Soviet army turned the tide of the war. This event was reflected in the monuments of Volgograd. Most of them are dedicated to the Second World War: the Motherland, Mother's Sorrow, other sculptural compositions of Mamaev Kurgan, a monument in honor of the civilians of Stalingrad, a composition dedicated to Mikhail Panikakha. There are also modern monuments: the bunny Agnia Barto, a sculpture of the first conductor. Among the pre-war monuments, the monument to V. S. Kholzunov has been preserved.

Monument-ensemble "Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad"

Better known as Mamaev Kurgan. This is a symbol of Volgograd, a tribute to the memory of the Battle of Stalingrad and tens of thousands of soldiers killed during the defense of the city. The complex was founded from 1959 to 1967. The author of the project is Evgeny Viktorovich Vuchetich. Since 2014, the memorial has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Large compositions are located on Mamaev Kurgan. The basis of the complex is a statue of the Motherland. Other sculptures are also known: "Mother's Sorrow", "Stand to Death", ruined walls and a high relief commemorating generations. The bodies of 35,000 soldiers rest on the mound in mass and individual graves.

Motherland

This sculpture is the compositional basis of Mamaev Kurgan. Center of pilgrimage for tourists. It stands at the top of the historical complex. The figure of the Motherland can be seen from almost every part of the city. The authors of the project are sculptor Vuchetich and engineer Nikitin. The height of the statue is 85 meters, without a pedestal it is the tallest sculpture in the world. The height together with the pedestal is 87 meters. The sculpture is made of stressed reinforced concrete. In the manufacture, 5500 tons of concrete and 2400 tons of iron structures were used. The statue represents a woman holding a sword in her raised hands. It symbolizes the Motherland, calling its sons to battle.

Sculpture "Mother's Sorrow"

The monument is located on Mamaev Kurgan, on the Square of Sorrow. A bowed female figure of a mother holds a dying son in her arms. The eleven-meter sculpture is made of reinforced concrete. According to the author's intention, the figures of mother and son are not completely carved. This creates a feeling of solidity and aching melancholy. Near the monument is the pool "Lake of Tears". It symbolizes the pain of mothers and wives who lost their loved ones in battle.

Sculpture "Stand to the death"

This is one of the main monuments located on Mamaev Kurgan. It stands in the center of a round pool, rising from under the water like a rock. The warrior-liberator, 16.2 meters high, holds a grenade in one hand and a machine gun in the other. The man is not completely carved, only the upper part of the body. The facial features are reminiscent of the commander of the 62nd Army, V.I. Chuikov. The sculpture is located in such a way that it covers the motherland standing in the distance with its back.

High relief "Memory of generations"

This is the central element of the Entrance Square of Mamaev Kurgan. The multi-figured bas-relief represents a stone wall. Figures of men, women and children are carved on it. They all carry wreaths of flowers and half-mast banners. Thus, people pay tribute to the memory of the soldiers who died in the Battle of Stalingrad. The high relief symbolizes the memory of descendants, they will never forget about the feat.

ruin walls

This is a sculptural composition leading up the stairs. It is located next to the "Stand to the death" square. The memorial wall is 46 meters long and 18 meters high. The ruins represent the heroic chronicle of the Battle of Stalingrad. Figures of soldiers, banners, military battles are carved in the wall. Walking up the stairs, involuntarily you find yourself in the days of the Second World War. Since the place is voiced by information bureau reports and songs of the war years.

Monument to Mikhail Panikakha

The sculpture was unveiled in 1975. The authors were the sculptor Kharitonov, the architect Belousov. The monument is dedicated to Mikhail Panikakha - the hero of the Battle of Stalingrad. In 1942, sacrificing his life, he jumped onto a tank with a Molotov cocktail. The six-meter monument depicts Mikhail Panikakha in a jump. The sculpture is made of copper and stands on a reinforced concrete pedestal.

Mill Gerhardt

This is a monument to the terrible battle of Stalingrad. Gerhardt's mill stands not far from Pavlov's house and from the embankment. This is a building left over from WWII. It was not specifically demolished or restored, it symbolizes the memory of the bloody events of the battles for Stalingrad. It is a box of a once-full-fledged building, the walls of which are riddled with bullets, the windows are broken out, and there is no roof at all. The building of the steam mill itself was built in 1907-1908.

Monument to Tank Destroyer Dogs

In 2011, a monument to explosive dogs was erected on Chekist Square in Volgograd. They were trained specifically to undermine Nazi tanks. The author of the project is Nikolai Karpov. There is a figure of a dog on a granite pedestal. It looks like an East European Shepherd, but the author did not specifically make an obvious resemblance. The monument is 2 meters high and weighs just over 200 kilograms.

Monument to the civilians of Stalingrad

Stalingrad was subjected to terrible bombardments during the war years. On August 23, 1943, the most powerful bombardment of the city took place, when two thousand German aircraft conducted sorties. More than 40 thousand civilians were killed. The monument is dedicated to these victims. It was installed on May 9, 1995. The authors are N. Pavlovskaya and V. Kalinichenko. A five-hundred-kilogram fascist bomb froze over the figures of women and children.

Floating monument to the fallen rivermen on the Volga

In 1980, an unusual monument was opened in Volgograd. It is located opposite Mamaev Kurgan, in the waterway of the Volga. A huge anchor, its height is 15 meters, occupies a floating platform. It is dedicated to the courage of the rivermen who transported thousands of the wounded, and many sections of the Volga were often mined. Every year on the eve of Victory Day, a floating buoy takes its place on the Volga.

Monument to Konstantin Rokossovsky

In honor of the 70th anniversary of the Victory, in 2015, a monument to Konstantin Rokossovsky was opened in Volgograd. The military leader hosted the Victory Parade on Red Square, participated in most military operations. The authors were sculptors Vladimir Surovtsev and his son Danila. The marshal is depicted in military uniform and on horseback. The sculpture is made in the classical style, located on a high pedestal.

Statue Guardian Angel

In 2005, the opening of the monument "Guardian Angel of Volgograd" took place. The author of the project is the sculptor Sergey Shcherbakov. A bronze angel stands on a granite hemisphere. His gaze is fixed on the Volga. Hands folded in prayer. The height of the monument is just over two and a half meters. Weight - 600 kilograms. A capsule with the wishes and dreams of Volgograd residents was buried under the monument.

Monument to Alexander Nevsky

In February 2007, a monument dedicated to the Novgorod prince was solemnly opened. The author of the project was the sculptor Sergei Shcherbakov. Nevsky was the first to speak about the need to build fortification fortresses on the Volga, so a monument was erected to him in the city. The monument is cast in bronze. The figure of Alexander Nevsky is made in full growth. He is dressed in armor and holds a banner in his right hand. The height of the monument is 7 meters along with the pedestal.

Lenin monument

The monument to Vladimir Ilyich is located near the entrance to the Volga-Don shipping canal. Considered one of the tallest statues in the world. The construction of the monument and the pedestal continued from 1969 to 1973. The authors are E. V. Vuchetich and L. M. Polyakov. Until 1962, a monument to Stalin stood on this pedestal, then it was removed. The monument to Lenin is made of stressed reinforced concrete. The total height is 57 meters, of which the height of the pedestal is 30 meters.

Monument to V. S. Kholzunov

The sculpture was installed in 1940. Its authors are sculptors M. G. Belashov and E. F. Alekseeva-Belashova, architect V. E. Shalashov. The monument stands on the embankment and is included in the list of objects of federal significance. One of the few surviving pre-war monuments. On a granite pedestal stands a bronze figure of the Hero of the USSR Kholzunov. The total height of the monument is 8.35 meters. Viktor Stepanovich was a bomber pilot. He showed himself in the Spanish Civil War.

Monument to the first governor Tsaritsyn Zasekin

In 2009, on the day of national unity, a monument to the first governor of Tsaritsyn, Grigory Zasekin, was solemnly opened. The governor is considered the founder of the city. The authors of the project are V. Seryakov and S. Shcherbakov. Grigory Zasekin is riding a horse, he is dressed in a 16th century uniform. The gaze is directed into the distance, to the Volga. The height of the monument together with the pedestal is six and a half meters.

Monument to the founding fathers of the city

The monument was opened in 1989, in honor of the 400th anniversary of the city of Volgograd. It symbolizes the eternal memory of generations. The authors of the monument: sculptors Yu. Yushin and A. Tomarov, architect O. Sadovsky. At the site of the foundation of the monument, the line of Tsaritsyn - Volgograd once began. The monument consists of two archer figures holding a letter with a covenant for future generations.

Monument to Peter and Fevronia

Monuments dedicated to the married couple of the Saints are located in many cities of Russia. Volgograd was no exception. The composition was opened in 2001. The author was the sculptor Konstantin Chernyavsky. Peter and Fevronia stand on a low pedestal, in their hands they hold a dove - a symbol of love and peace. Eight rules for creating a strong and friendly family are carved next to the monument.

Monument "Cossack glory"

Known as a monument to the Russian Cossacks. It was opened in 2010, on the day of national unity. The author is Vladimir Seryakov. The monument was placed next to the ancient church of John the Baptist, where Stepan Razin was baptized. The monument represents a brave Cossack, who sits on a horse, going on a military campaign. He is escorted by a Cossack woman with an icon in her hands. The sculptural composition is cast in bronze. Height - 2.85 meters, width - 1.3 meters.

Monument to Zheglov and Sharapov

In 2015, an urban-style sculptural composition dedicated to the criminal investigation department was unveiled. Gleb Zheglov and Vladimir Sharapov stand in front of the Main Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Both figures are cast in bronze and copied in the likeness of the characters in the film "The meeting place cannot be changed." The sculptures stand leaning on a street lamp. The monument became the first such monument in Russia.

Monument to the first district conductor

The monument dedicated to the conductor was erected in 2015. Tram rails lie next to the figure. The man is dressed in a uniform from the early twentieth century. The monument was created from old photographs. This is a collective image of many conductors who worked in the first tram depot in Volgograd in the twentieth century.

Monument to the motorist

This modern statue is dedicated to the motorist. It was opened in 2012 at the request of the Arkont automobile company. The author is Sergey Shcherbakov. The protagonist of the Golden Calf, Adam Kozlevich, was taken as a motorist. He sits on one wheel, he has a steering wheel in his hands, and his foot is placed on the gas pedal. It is considered the only monument to a motorist in Russia.

Monument to the first teacher

In 2010, on Teacher's Day, a monument to the first teacher was unveiled. The author of the project is the sculptor Anatoly Pakhota. In the hands of the teacher is a school magazine and a pointer. Next to her is a boy dressed in a Soviet uniform, he holds a briefcase behind his back. On the pavement in front of the teacher and the student, "Fifteen" are laid out. The monument is cast in bronze, the height of the composition is one and a half meters.

Monument to bunny Agnia Barto

A sculpture of a hare from Agnia Barto's famous children's poem stands in the city garden. The author of the sculptural composition is the architect Alexei Antyufeev. A bunny in baby overalls and a short-sleeved shirt is sitting on a pile of books with children's poems by Agnia Barto. Not far from the statue is a carved bench, on which, according to the poem, the hare was forgotten.