On October 15, 1967, the historical and memorial complex “To the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad” was opened on Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd.
During the Great Patriotic War in days Battle of Stalingrad(1942-1943) on Mamayev Kurgan, located in the central part of Volgograd (from 1925 to 1961 - Stalingrad), there were stubborn battles, especially in September 1942 - January 1943.
On front-line maps the mound was designated 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. The one who owned the mound owned the city: maintaining this height was a matter of life or death - the mound passed “from hand to hand” of the warring parties several times a day. But the Nazis were never able to completely capture the mound. The eastern slopes steadfastly and heroically defended the troops of the Red Army, repelling the furious attacks of the enemy.
For 140 days and nights, the troops of the 62nd Army under the command of Vasily Chuikov stood to the death on the slopes of Mamayev 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 Nazi group was divided into two parts and liquidated.
The fighting on Mamayev Kurgan was so fierce that even its outline changed. Immediately after the battle, from 500 to 1250 shell fragments were found on every square meter of his land. In the spring of 1943, not even the grass was green on it.
After the end of the battle, the dead from all over the city were buried on Mamayev Kurgan. According to approximate data, about 34.5 thousand people are buried there.
The idea to erect 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 his project, and as a result, he became the author and leader of the team of builders. folk artist USSR sculptor Evgeniy Vuchetich, chief architect - Yakov Belopolsky. Construction of the monument began in May 1959, and the opening took place on October 15, 1967.
The memorial complex "Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad" is a unique structure, the total length from the foot to the top is 820 meters. Total area of the complex 177,758 square meters. It represents 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. Avenue. Lenin at the foot of Mamayev Kurgan and called “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 dilapidated stone wall towards the stairs leading to the mound to honor the memory of the dead.
Behind the introductory composition on the square, 12 pedestals were later installed with the soil of the hero cities and Brest Fortress. From them, a wide staircase leads to the Alley of Pyramid Poplars, which is laid along the crest of an artificial earthen embankment, rising 10 meters above the entrance square - Avenue named after them. V.I. Lenin. The length of the alley is 223 meters, width is 10 meters. Its upper level is 20 meters higher than the lower one.
Heroes Square 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 about the offensive of Soviet troops near Stalingrad, the joy of victory, the capture of the Nazis, and the rally of the victors is reproduced.
The retaining wall contains the entrance to the Hall of Military Glory. In the transition 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 is an image of the hand of a deceased hero with a torch. Eternal Flame, a guard of honor was installed. On the walls are 34 mosaic mourning banners with 7,200 names, symbolizing all the fallen defenders of Stalingrad. At the top there is an inscription on the pictured ribbon from the medal: “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 a single grave of twice Hero of the Soviet Union, Marshal of the Soviet Union, former commander of the 62nd Army Vasily Chuikov.
The second is a mass grave, where 34,505 (+ 4) soldiers (from the areas of Stalingrad) were reburied during the construction of the memorial. Later, urns with the ashes of the Hero of the Soviet Union, former commander of the 64th Army Mikhail Shumilov, chairman of the City Defense Committee (during the war) Alexei Chuyanov were buried, twice Hero of the Soviet Union pilot Vasily Efremov was buried, and the famous sniper Hero of the Soviet Union Vasily Zaitsev was reburied. Along the grave there are 37 memorial slabs with the names of particularly distinguished defenders during the Battle of Stalingrad, 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 and standing in a pose calling for fight. The figure of the Motherland dominates not only Mamaev Kurgan, but also 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 thousand tons. At the base, the sculpture is not secured by anything; it stands under its own weight. The inside is hollow, there is a staircase in sculpture and 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 walk 200 granite steps - the number of days of the Battle of Stalingrad.
From the day of opening memorial complex Mamayev Kurgan has changed noticeably. In 1985, a military memorial cemetery was opened. In 2005, the memorial complex received its own church - All Saints. By 2013 (the 70th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Stalingrad) there were engraved the names of 17 thousand defenders of Stalingrad.
The memorial complex "Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad" by order of the Government of the Russian Federation was classified as an object cultural heritage federal significance, and the sculpture "Motherland" - to especially valuable objects of cultural heritage of Russia in 2016.
In 2008, according to the results of a popular vote, the monument-ensemble “To the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad” and the sculpture “The Motherland Calls!” were included in the "Seven Wonders of Russia". In 2013, according to the results of a nationwide vote, the 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 Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd from the Russian Federation.
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
Volgograd – large city on the Volga with a rich history. Stalingrad withstood the fascist pressure during fierce battles. The city was practically destroyed, but soviet army turned the tide of the war. This event affected the monuments of Volgograd. Most of them are dedicated to the Second World War: Motherland, Mother's Sorrow, other sculptural compositions of Mamayev Kurgan, a monument in honor civilians Stalingrad, composition, dedicated to Michael Panikakhe. 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 Mamayev Kurgan. This is a symbol of Volgograd, a tribute to the memory of the Battle of Stalingrad and the tens of thousands of soldiers killed while defending the city. The complex was founded from 1959 to 1967. The author of the project is Evgeniy Viktorovich Vuchetich. Since 2014, the memorial has been included in the list of candidates world heritage UNESCO. Large compositions are located on Mamayev Kurgan. The basis of the complex is the statue of the Motherland. Other sculptures are also known: “Mother’s Sorrow”, “Stand to Death”, ruin walls and high relief memory of generations. The bodies of 35 thousand soldiers rest on the mound in mass and individual graves.
Motherland
This sculpture is the compositional basis of Mamayev Kurgan. Tourist pilgrimage center. It stands at the top point 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 including the pedestal is 87 meters. The sculpture is made of stressed reinforced concrete. 5,500 tons of concrete and 2,400 tons of iron structures were used in the manufacture. The statue represents a woman holding a sword in her raised hands. Symbolizes the Motherland, calling its sons into battle.
Sculpture "Mother's Sorrow"
The monument is located on Mamayev Kurgan, on the Square of Sorrow. A bowed female mother figure holds her dying son in her arms. The eleven-meter sculpture is made of reinforced concrete. According to the author's plan, the figures of mother and son are not completely carved. This creates a feeling of monolithicity and aching melancholy. Next to the monument is the Lake of Tears swimming pool. 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 Mamayev Kurgan. It stands in the center of a round pool, rising out of the water like a rock. The warrior-liberator, 16.2 meters tall, holds a grenade in one hand and a machine gun in the other. The man is not completely carved, only upper part bodies. The facial features are reminiscent of the commander of the 62nd Army V.I. Chuikov. The sculpture is positioned so that its back covers the Motherland standing in the distance.
High relief “Memory of Generations”
This is the central element of the Entrance Square of Mamayev Kurgan. The multi-figure bas-relief represents a stone wall. The figures of men, women and children are carved on it. They all carry wreaths of flowers and flags at half-staff. In this way, 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. Located next to the "Stand to the Death" square. The length of the memorial wall is 46 meters, height 18 meters. The ruins represent the heroic chronicle of the Battle of Stalingrad. Figures of soldiers, banners, and battles are carved into the wall. Walking up the stairs, you inevitably find yourself back in time during the Second World War. Because 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 sculptor Kharitonov and architect Belousov. The monument is dedicated to Mikhail Panikakha, the hero of the Battle of Stalingrad. In 1942, he sacrificed his life by jumping on 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.
Gerhardt's Mill
This is a monument to the terrible Battle of Stalingrad. Gerhardt's mill is located not far from Pavlov's house and from the embankment. This is a building left over from the Second World War. It was not deliberately 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, and there is no roof at all. The steam mill building itself was built in 1907 – 1908.
Monument to Tank Destroyer Dogs
In 2011, a monument to demolition dogs was erected on Chekist Square in Volgograd. They were trained specifically to blow up fascist tanks. The author of the project is Nikolai Karpov. There is a figure of a dog on a granite pedestal. She looks like an East European Shepherd, but the author did not intentionally make obvious similarities. The height of the monument is 2 meters, weight is just over 200 kilograms.
Monument to civilians of Stalingrad
Stalingrad was subjected to terrible bombing during the war. On August 23, 1943, the most powerful bombardment of the city took place, when two thousand German aircraft carried out combat missions. Over 40 thousand civilians died. The monument is dedicated to these victims. It was installed on May 9, 1995. Authors: N. Pavlovskaya and V. Kalinichenko. A five hundred kilogram fascist bomb froze above the figures of women and children.
Floating monument to fallen river workers on the Volga
In 1980 it was opened in Volgograd unusual monument. It is located opposite Mamayev Kurgan, in the fairway of the Volga. A huge anchor, 15 meters high, occupies a floating platform. It is dedicated to the courage of the rivermen who transported thousands of 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, a monument to Konstantin Rokossovsky was opened in Volgograd in 2015. The military leader hosted the Victory Parade on Red Square and participated in most military operations. The authors were sculptors Vladimir Surovtsev and his son Danila. The marshal is depicted in military uniform and riding a horse. The sculpture was made in classic style, located on a high pedestal.
Guardian Angel Statue
In 2005, the opening of the monument “Guardian Angel of Volgograd” took place. The author of the project is sculptor Sergei 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 is buried under the monument.
Monument to Alexander Nevsky
In February 2007, a monument dedicated to the Novgorod prince was inaugurated. The author of the project was sculptor Sergei Shcherbakov. Nevsky was the first to talk about the need to build fortifications on the Volga, so a monument to him was erected in the city. The monument is cast from bronze. The figure of Alexander Nevsky is made in full height. He is dressed in armor and holds a banner in right hand. The height of the monument is 7 meters including the pedestal.
Monument to Lenin
The monument to Vladimir Ilyich is located near the entrance to the Volga-Don shipping canal. Considered one of the most tall statues peace. Construction of the monument and pedestal lasted 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 Lenin monument 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 Hero of the USSR Kholzunov. The total height of the monument is 8.35 meters. Viktor Stepanovich was a bomber pilot. Proven himself in Civil War in Spain.
Monument to the first governor of Tsaritsyn Zasekin
In 2009, on the Day of National Unity, a monument to the first governor of Tsaritsyn, Grigory Zasekin, was inaugurated. The voivode is considered the founder of the city. The authors of the project are V. Seryakov and S. Shcherbakov. Grigory Zasekin sits on horseback, he is dressed in a 16th century uniform. The gaze is directed into the distance, towards the Volga. The height of the monument including the pedestal is six and a half meters.
Monument to the founding fathers of the city
The monument opened in 1989, in honor of the 400th anniversary of the city of Volgograd. It symbolizes eternal memory generations. The authors of the monument: sculptors Yu. Yushin and A. Tomarov, architect O. Sadovsky. At the site where the monument was founded, the Tsaritsyn-Volgograd line once began. The monument represents two figures of an archer holding in their hands a letter with a covenant for future generations.
Monument to Peter and Fevronia
Monuments dedicated to married couple 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 National Unity Day. Author: 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 is sitting on a horse, preparing for a military campaign. He is accompanied by a Cossack woman with an icon in her hands. Sculptural composition cast from bronze. Height – 2.85 meters, width – 1.3 meters.
Monument to Zheglov and Sharapov
In 2015, a sculptural composition in an urban style dedicated to criminal investigation 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 from the film “The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed.” The sculptures stand leaning on 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. There are tram rails next to the figure. The man is dressed in a uniform from the early twentieth century. The monument was created from old photographs. This collective image many conductors who worked in the first tram depot of Volgograd in the twentieth century.
Monument to a motorist
This modern statue is dedicated to the motorist. It was opened in 2012 at the request of the Arkont automobile company. Author – Sergey Shcherbakov. Taken as a motorist main character"The Golden Calf" Adam Kozlewicz. He sits on one wheel, the steering wheel is in his hands, and his foot is 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 sculptor Anatoly Pakhota. The teacher holds a school magazine and a pointer in her hands. Next to her stands a boy dressed in a Soviet uniform, holding a briefcase behind his back. “Tags” are laid out on the asphalt in front of the teacher and student. The monument is cast from bronze, the height of the composition is one and a half meters.
Monument to the bunny Agnia Barto
A sculpture of a bunny from the famous children's poem by Agnia Barto stands in the city garden. The author of the sculptural composition is architect Alexey Antyufeev. A bunny in a children's overalls and a short-sleeved shirt sits on a pile of books with children's poems by Agnia Barto. Not far from the statue there is a carved bench on which, according to the poem, the little hare was forgotten.
Sukhanov Fedor Ivanovich (1923-2000) “Mamaev Kurgan”. 1972Volgograd Museum fine arts them. I.I. Mashkova.
On October 15, 1967, the monument-ensemble “To the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad” was solemnly opened in Volgograd.
The decision to build a memorial ensemble dedicated to the feat of the heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad (July 17, 1942 - February 2, 1943) was made back in January 1958. Construction began in May 1959 and was completed by October 1967.
The project was developed by a team of sculptors and architects under the leadership of E. V. Vuchetich. Architects: Ya. B. Belopolsky, V. A. Demin, F. M. Lysov. Sculptors: M. S. Aleshenko, V. E. Matrosov, L. Maistrenko. M., Melnik A.N., Marunov V.A., Novikov N.S., Tyurenkov A.A. Head of the engineering group Nikitin N.V.
The main military consultant of the project was Marshal V.I. Chuikov, the commander of the army that defended Mamayev Kurgan.
The total area of the architectural and sculptural complex on Mamayev Kurgan is 26 hectares.
The symbolic ruins of Stalingrad, the Square of “Those Who Stood to the Death”, the Square of Heroes, the Hall of Military Glory, the Square of Sorrow and other sculptural objects have enormous power emotional impact. Along the serpentine leading to the top of the hill, the remains of 34 thousand 505 soldiers - the defenders of Stalingrad - were reburied.
The logical center of the memorial is the sculpture “Motherland”. The work of the sculptor Vuchetich and engineer Nikitin represents a multi-meter figure of a woman quickly stepping forward with a raised sword. The statue is an allegorical image of the Motherland, calling its sons to fight the enemy. The total height of the monument is 85 m. The height of the female figure is 52 m, the length of the arm is 20 m, the length of the sword is 33 m. The weight of the sculpture is 8 thousand tons, and the length of the sword is 14 tons.
In 2008, Mamayev Kurgan was included in the “7 Wonders of Russia”.
Monument-ensemble to the heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad. Volgograd. Mamayev Kurgan: Set of 10 postcards / Photo by A. Shagin. - M.: Soviet Russia, 1967. - 1st region. (10 separate l.).
Included:
Monument “Stand to the death!”
Heroes Square
Heroes Square
Monument "Sorrow" and view of the main monument
Introductory composition
Main monument
General view of the “Wall-ruins”
Detail “Wall-ruins”
Monument "Sorrow"
Detail “Wall-ruins”
Monument to the Glory of Generations
The Monument to the Glory of Generations was installed on central square Volgograd - the Square of Fallen Fighters, with which heroic pages of history are connected.
In days great battle on the Volga the area became the scene of fierce battles. On January 31, 1943, the Nazis threw a white flag of surrender over it, and Field Marshal Paulus, who had surrendered, emerged from the basement of a dilapidated department store - his last headquarters.
The Square of Fallen Fighters witnessed a solemn meeting dedicated to the defeat of the fascist hordes at Stalingrad. There next to mass grave workers and city defenders who died in the battles of 1942 - 1943 were buried.
In 1957, a single granite monument was built on the mass graves - an obelisk and a tombstone.
On Mamayev Kurgan
Mamayev Kurgan is the dominant height over the city. During the Battle of Stalingrad it was the site of the most fierce fighting, key position city defense.
The defenders of Stalingrad well understood the meaning of the mound and figuratively called it main height Russia. There they took an oath: “Not a step back!”, “There is no land for us beyond the Volga!”, “Fight to the death!” For almost 140 days and nights, lead showers raged over Mamayev Kurgan; the Nazis frantically rushed to this height, but were never able to capture it completely. The mound turned black, as if charred, from the cruel fire; during the fighting, the earth on it was thickly mixed with iron fragments and blood. The top of the mound changed hands many times, and its northeastern slopes were firmly held by Soviet soldiers throughout the entire period of hostilities.
Residents of the city brought Mamayev Kurgan back to life. They took mines, unexploded shells and bombs out of its wounded land, laid out squares and parks on it, and covered it with a green carpet of grass. A grandiose sculptural ensemble was built on Mamayev Kurgan, immortalizing the feat of the heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad.
In front of the stairs to the mound is the introductory composition “Memory of Generations”. It depicts people different ages carrying a wreath to the grave of fallen heroes. An alley of pyramidal poplars leads to the first square of the ensemble. In the center of the square, a 12-meter figure of a Russian warrior-hero appears to be growing out of a rock, surrounded by a swimming pool. At the foot of the sculpture there are inscriptions: “Not a step back!”, “Fight to the death!”
The ruined walls adjacent to the square give the impression of the streets of a destroyed city. On the walls appear figures and faces of the city’s defenders, relief scenes telling about front-line life and the exploits of soldiers. The walls are painted with excerpts from military orders, protocols of party and Komsomol meetings, and oaths of soldiers.
The next terrace of the ensemble is Heroes Square. In its center is a huge water parterre. Six sculptural compositions telling about the exploits of warriors and episodes of the battle are reflected in the calm surface of the water.
The other side of the water parterre is bordered by a 112-meter wall, made in the form of an unfolded and greatly elongated banner. On the wall are the words: “The iron wind hit them in the face, and they all walked forward, and again a feeling of superstitious fear gripped the enemy: were people going to attack, were they mortal?!”
Granite steps lead from Heroes Square to the Hall of Military Glory. The entrance, decorated with gray concrete slabs, resembles a dugout. The round building of the hall with a light suspended ceiling is made in the style of the ancient Greek pantheon. 34 symbolic red banners hang along the high walls lined with gold smalt. The names of 7201 fallen in the Battle of Stalingrad are inscribed on them. Above the banners is a wide ribbon with the inscription: “Yes, we were mere mortals, and few of us survived, but we all fulfilled our patriotic duty to the sacred Motherland.”
In the center of the hall there is a marble hand with a flaming torch of the sacred Eternal Flame.
A spiral ramp leads from the Hall of Military Glory to the Square of Sorrow, the main sculptural composition of which is the figure of a woman-mother. In deep sorrow she bent over the fallen warrior. Mother's boundless grief intensifies weeping willows, growing over the pond in front of the sculpture.
A mound rises from the Square of Sorrow. During the construction of the monument, the remains of dead soldiers were transferred there from mass graves located on the territory of the city.
On 34 granite symbolic slabs located along the serpentine path along the slope of the mound, the names of the most distinguished participants in the great battle, who died defending the city and who died after the war, are carved.
The monument-ensemble is crowned by a 52-meter sculpture of the Mother Motherland, who in anger raised a punishing sword. Mother Motherland calls her sons to fight the enemies.
A talented team of sculptors, architects, and engineers worked on the ensemble under the leadership of Hero of Socialist Labor E. Vuchetich.
The entire monument-ensemble is made of concrete. Its construction took place from January 1961 to May 1967. The monument was unveiled on October 15, 1967.
M. Aleshchenko, V. Matrosov, L. Maistrenko, A. Melnik, V. Morunov, A. Novikov,
A. Tyurenkov; head of the engineering group N. Nikitin; military consultant Marshal of the Soviet Union
V. Chuikov.
Panorama Museum
On the steep bank of the Volga, on the site of the fierce battles for Stalingrad, a memorial ensemble was created - the museum-panorama “Battle of Stalingrad”. Panoramic part of the complex "Destruction" Nazi troops near Stalingrad" opened on July 8, 1982. This is a monumental work of art about the Great Patriotic War.
The museum complex includes 7 exhibition halls, 4 dioramas and a triumphal hall. The canvases depict the most striking pages in the history of the great battle on the Volga. The entrance hall of the panorama leads to the artistic canvas, the ceiling of which is decorated with heraldry - signs of the branches of the troops that participated in the battle. They are made of smalt and placed along the curly ribbon of the medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad”. In the center of the hall is the Order of Victory.
The culmination of the events depicted in the panorama is the breakthrough of the enemy defense by the troops of the 21st Army of General I. Chistyakov from the west and the forces of the 62nd Army of General V. Chuikov from the east with the aim of dismembering the enemy group. The panorama conveys the grand scale of the Battle of Stalingrad. The canvas depicts the military actions of the troops that took part in the encirclement and defeat of the Nazi formations. The artists managed to create a generalized image of the battle and reflect the most striking and characteristic episodes of the heroic battle. Events are shown both on the battlefield and in the immediate rear of the units: reserves are being pulled together, shells are being transported, and assistance is being provided to the wounded.
The canvas reproduces not only individual episodes of the battle and heroic deeds of soldiers, but also the strategic plan for the final blow of the Soviet troops at Stalingrad. Dimensions of the panorama, one of the largest in the world artistic practice, allowed to be placed freely without distorting historical truth, all big picture battle spread over a large area.
The observation deck of the panorama is conventionally located at the top of Mamayev Kurgan. Main topic panoramas - the greatness of the feat Soviet people. All artistic means are subordinated to the embodiment of this idea.
P. Zhigimont, P. Maltsev,
G. Marchenko, M. Samsonov, F. Usypenko.
Project unique complex developed by a group of architects and engineers under the leadership of architect V. Maslyaev.
"Connecting Fronts"
During fierce defensive battles on the approaches to Stalingrad, Soviet troops stopped the enemy on a front stretching more than 800 km. The main forces of the Nazi troops were drawn into heavy, bloody battles between the Don and Volga rivers.
The Headquarters of the Supreme High Command developed a plan for encircling the Stalingrad enemy group under the code name “Uranus”. The troops of the Southwestern and Stalingrad fronts were supposed to unite in the Kalach-Sovetsky area and surround units and formations of the enemy’s 6th field and 4th tank armies.
On November 19 and 20, 1942, the troops of the Southwestern, Don and Stalingrad fronts, after powerful artillery preparation, launched a decisive offensive. As a result of bold actions, the 26th Tank Corps of General A. Rodin crossed the Don and on November 23 fought Kalach.
On the same day, units of the 4th Tank Corps of General A. Kravchenko of the Southwestern Front and the 4th Mechanized Corps of General V. Volsky of the Stalingrad Front united in the Sovetsky area. 22 enemy divisions and more than 160 separate units were surrounded.
To commemorate this event, the “Union of Fronts” monument was erected in 1953 in the Kalachevsky district at lock No. 13 of the Volga-Don Shipping Canal. The multi-figure 16-meter composition depicts a meeting of soldiers from two fronts. On the pedestal there are two memorial plaques with texts:
“On November 23, 1942, in the Kalach area, Soviet troops of the Southwestern and Stalingrad fronts, in cooperation with troops of the Don Front, completed the operational encirclement of the enemy, which led to the subsequent defeat of the 330,000-strong group of fascist German troops that broke through to the Volga.”
“Our descendants will never forget the greatness of spirit and the fabulous fortress of Russian soldiers along the banks of the Don and Volga. In the battles to encircle Nazi troops, the 19th, 45th, 69th, 157th, 102nd tank, 14th motorized rifle and 36th mechanized brigades distinguished themselves.”
When we talk about the monuments of Volgograd, first of all, of course, we remember the Mamayev Kurgan. This is true holy place for all Russians. After all, it was here, back in 1943, that terrible bloody battles unfolded that changed the entire course of the Great Patriotic War. The battle for Volgograd (in the war years - Stalingrad) was destined to become one of the most significant and most difficult pages in the history of the war. It lasted 200 long days, 135 of them on Mamayev Kurgan.
In memory of those terrible and heroic events, a huge, impressive in its scale, memorial complex dedicated to the heroes who died in the Battle of Stalingrad was erected on this site.
Monument-ensemble "Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad"
This majestic memorial ensemble, the construction of which began under the leadership famous architect E.V. Vuchetich back in the 50s of the last century, today it is the largest military monument in the world and at the same time the largest mass grave in the world in which Russian soldiers are buried. According to historians, more than 35 thousand people who died during the Battle of Stalingrad are buried here. Many of them were reburied here after the war.
In 2008, the Mamayev Kurgan itself and the memorial ensemble erected on it were recognized as one of the wonders of Russia. Undoubtedly, the sculptural compositions located here are worthy of a separate description.
High relief “Memory of Generations”
Thus, on the Entrance Square there is a high relief “Memory of Generations”. This multi-figure sculpture stone wall depicts a funeral procession in honor of fallen heroes. There is also a memorial stele in honor of the 12 hero cities.
Sculptural composition “Stand to the death”
The next sculptural composition that opens to our gaze is called “Stand to the death.” It was with this motto that Soviet soldiers marched to decisive battle. The monument is located on the square of the same name, in the center of a round pool and is a symbol of the most difficult stages of the battle. The central figure of the composition is a sculpture carved from a huge monolithic block of a Soviet warrior, a warrior-hero who stood up to defend his native city.
Ruin walls
A granite staircase goes up from the “Fight to the Death” square, and along it there are the so-called “Ruin Walls”. This unusual memorial, 46 meters long and 18 meters high, is a kind of heroic chronicle of the Battle of Stalingrad. Particularly impressive is the soundtrack of this place with information bureau reports and songs of the war years.
And after the Ruin Walls we see the Square of Heroes.
Sculptures "Heroes Square"
On the “Heroes Square”, in the center of which there is a rectangular pool, we see six sculptural compositions of Stalingrad heroes, each of which is a symbol of courage and heroism.
"Hall of Military Glory"
Behind the “Heroes Square” is the “Hall military glory", in the center of which rises a 5-meter sculpture in the form of a hand holding a torch with fire. And around it are high pylons with images of soldiers of all branches of the Soviet troops.
Sculpture "Mother's Sorrow"
The next sculpture of the memorial complex is the sculpture of the mother, located on the “Sorrow Square”. It contains all the pain of mothers who lost their sons in the war.
Monument “The Motherland Calls!”
And finally, the central sculpture of the entire composition, which rises in the center of Mamayev Kurgan and is a symbol of the entire memorial complex, is the sculpture “The Motherland Calls!”
Truly an impressive monument that symbolizes the call of the Motherland to her sons and is one of the largest in the world. Its total height is 85 meters, and this reinforced concrete sculpture weighs 8 thousand tons.
A visit to this place makes an indelible impression and gives hope that the feat of the Volgograd residents will forever remain in the memory of descendants.
Other monuments in Volgograd are also dedicated to the events of the Great Patriotic War.
Monument to Mikhail Panikakha
Thus, in the Krasnooktyabrsky district of Volgograd in May 1975, a monument was erected to the hero of the Battle of Stalingrad, Mikhail Panikakha - Hero Soviet Union who donated own life, stopped the Nazi advance and helped the 193rd Division defend its positions. Brave Ukrainian soldier Mikhail Panikakha rushed at the tank with a bottle of flammable mixture. This tragic moment is captured in the monument erected in his honor in Volgograd.
Monument "Cossack Glory" in Volgograd
Volgograd residents also remember the glorious past of their predecessors - the Cossacks, who contributed to the defense of Russia and the preservation of its unity. This is confirmed by the opening of the monument to the Cossacks “Cossack Glory” in Volgograd’s Victory Park.
This sculptural composition consists of the figure of a Cossack sitting on a horse and a beautiful Cossack woman accompanying him with an icon in her hands.
Volgograd monument to Alexander Nevsky
In Volgograd there is also a monument to such a famous figure in Russian history as Alexander Nevsky. According to historians, he was one of the first to speak about the need to build a guard fortress on the Volga, which Tsaritsyn - today's Volgograd - became. The seven-meter monument to Alexander Nevsky, created by sculptor Sergei Shcherbakov, was inaugurated in February 2007 on the “Fallen Fighters Square”.