Monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Nizhny Novgorod: history of creation

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:44

There is one wonderful and correct tradition - to perpetuate the names of people who influenced the course of history. Scientists, writers, generals, heads of state who devoted themselves to the struggle for peace rightfully remain in people's memory. Books are dedicated to them, settlements and streets are named after them. Monuments are erected in their honor.

There is probably not a single city in which it would be impossible to see a monument erected in honor of a famous person.

One such example is the Nizhny Novgorod landmark - the monument to Minin and Pozharsky.

Two monuments

The monument to Minin and Pozharsky, erected in Nizhny Novgorod, is a famous sculpture. It was built in memory of two folk heroes. The names of these brave warriors were Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky.

This sculpture is not one of a kind. It was made as a copy of the monument, which is located in Moscow on the main square of the country. It was installed in 2005 at the centralsquare of Nizhny Novgorod.

The establishment was initiated by Yuri Luzhkov. The monument was made by the Russian sculptor Z. Tsereteli. There are two differences between the monument in Moscow and the one in Nizhny Novgorod. The original on Red Square is only 5 cm larger than its copy. The inscriptions on them also differ - the date of its establishment is not indicated on the monument in Nizhny Novgorod.

Who were Minin and Pozharsky?

The history of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Nizhny Novgorod began with the Time of Troubles of the Russian state, when Poles occupied Moscow and the country was under the rule of Sweden and Poland. At the beginning of the 17th century, a People's Militia arose in Nizhny Novgorod. It was formed against the Polish occupiers.

The very idea of its foundation belongs to Kuzma Minin, who at that time was a zemstvo headman in Nizhny Novgorod. He was supported by both local residents and local authorities. Prince Dmitry Pozharsky was appointed commander of the militia. The uprising has begun.

Together, the Nizhny Novgorod people, led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and headman Kuzma Minin, were able to effectively resist the enemy.

History of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Nizhny Novgorod

The emergence of the militia, as we already know, is associated with the names of these heroes. The history of the monument to the militia is connected with 1803. Then in Nizhny Novgorod there was a Free Society, unitingzealots of science and art. Members of this society came up with the idea of creating a monument to the heroes Minin and Pozharsky in Nizhny Novgorod. In the same year, they began to raise money for the implementation of the idea, a competition was announced for the design of the monument.

In 1807, according to the results of the competition, the work of the sculptor Ivan Martos was chosen. It was approved by the reigning Emperor Alexander at that time. The erection of the monument was a very important event for the entire Russian people, as the monument carried the idea of state freedom and the unity of the people.

Initially, they wanted to install it in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, where the people's militia was formed. After that, they decided to erect a monument in Moscow, as it was of not only regional but also national importance.

In 2005, a copy of the monument was installed in the homeland of Pozharsky and Minin, since it was from here that a wave of popular indignation started, which eventually led to the liberation of the state from Polish and Swedish occupation.

Other attractions of the ancient city

Where is the monument to Minin and Pozharsky? What's next to him? What else can you admire? Similar questions are asked by many tourists arriving in these parts.

The monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Nizhny Novgorod is located on the central square, the names of which changed depending on the historical period. The square itself is a monument of culture and architecture. Its names are associated with various periods inhistory.

Near the monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Nizhny Novgorod, you can also see the Kremlin - a historical monument of the city. This is a huge complex that has social, political, artistic and cultural significance.

Not far from the monument is a huge tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, which is called Ivanovskaya. It was of great defensive importance.

It is no coincidence that an ancient Orthodox church is located near the monument - the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Its history of origin is connected with the XV century. And during the war, at the main entrance of the church, Kuzma Minin called on the people of Nizhny Novgorod to fight against the enemies of the Russian land.