Monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square - one of the most famous monuments Moscow, set in front of . Opened back in 1818, it became the first sculptural monument in the city, and today has become one of recognizable characters capital and a must-see tourist attraction.
The monument is dedicated to the Russian national heroes, the leaders of the Second People's Militia - the Nizhny Novgorod Zemstvo head Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, as well as the expulsion of the Polish-Lithuanian invaders from Moscow in 1612 and the end of the Time of Troubles.
sculptural composition
The sculpture artistically depicts the moment of the formation of the militia: Minin (left), urging Pozharsky (right) to lead the volunteers, hands him a sword with his left hand, and points to Moscow captured by the enemies with his right. Pozharsky sits on a rectangular pedestal, leaning on a round shield with the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, behind him stands a massive princely helmet. The prince's posture is unstable and slightly awkward: rising, he stretches one leg forward - this is a reminder that at the time of the formation of the militia, he had not yet recovered from past wounds and was in Novgorod for treatment. The men are dressed in tunics with the addition of a Russian pattern, their torsos are powerful, and their faces express confidence.
The central link in the composition is the sword: unremarkable at first glance, in reality it is well designed and decorated. floral ornament, and daisies are depicted on the handle.
The massive pedestal of the monument is made of red Finnish granite and decorated with high reliefs. The high relief on the front side of the pedestal depicts men and women offering donations to the altar of the Fatherland: the men's backs bend under the weight of the offerings, and the women, kneeling down, donate their jewelry. People's clothes resemble ancient chitons, but on the heads of women there are kokoshniks; behind the female figures is a father giving his two sons to the militia. The high relief on the back side of the pedestal depicts battle scene and is dedicated to the victory of the militia led by Pozharsky: on the left side are the Poles fleeing from Moscow, on the right - Pozharsky on horseback, trampling the enemy, and the brave Russian soldiers behind him.
Above the front high-relief on the pedestal, the dedication is written in gold letters: "Grateful Russia to Citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky. Summer 1818".
The total height of the monument is about 8.6 meters.
Who are Minin and Pozharsky?
Citizen Kuzma Minin (Kosma Minin, Kuzma Sukhoruk) and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky are Russians national heroes who organized the Second civil uprising, which liberated Moscow from the occupation by the Polish-Lithuanian interventionists, which lasted from 1610 to 1612.
The initiative to create a militia came from the trade and craft population of Nizhny Novgorod - an important economic and administrative center in those years. The organization of the militia began with the actions of Kuzma Minin, a butcher, from 1611, a Nizhny Novgorod Zemstvo headman, who began to call on the townspeople and city authorities to unite. At the suggestion of Minin, a fundraising was started to hire military specialists, so that it would not work out like with the First Militia, which managed to occupy almost all of Moscow, but could not enter the Kremlin and eventually collapsed. Agreeing with Minin, the inhabitants of the city general meeting decided that each of them should donate part of his property to the needs of the militia, and whoever does not want to, all his property will be confiscated.
"Appeal to the citizens of Nizhny Novgorod by citizen Minin in 1611" (1861, artist Mikhail Peskov)
Nizhny Novgorod chose Prince Dmitry Pozharsky for the role of a military leader who will lead the militia, family estate which was located near Nizhny Novgorod. The prince was just in it and healed wounds from wounds received in previous battles. Novgorodians admired his steadfastness, honesty and disinterestedness and went to him several times to offer to lead the militia. According to the customs and etiquette of that time, Pozharsky at first refused the offer of the townspeople, but then accepted it on the condition that Kuzma Minin would manage the economic affairs of the militia.
The militia consisted of detachments of townspeople and peasants of the central and northern regions of Russia. Its formation began in 1611 and continued on the way from Nizhny Novgorod to Moscow, big role the population of Yaroslavl played in this. The number of militia did not exceed 7-8 thousand people, on the outskirts of Moscow, he was joined by the remnants of the first militia, led by Prince Dmitry Trubetskoy.
The campaign against Moscow was successful: on November 1, 1612, the militia occupied Kitay-Gorod, on November 5, the Polish garrisons surrendered and left the Kremlin, and on November 6, the troops of Pozharsky and Trubetskoy solemnly entered the main Moscow fortress.
History of the monument
For the first time, the idea of erecting a monument to Minin and Pozharsky arose in 1802, when Imperial Academy arts offered their feat as working theme students. A year later, the Russian writer and educator Vasily Popugaev expressed the specific idea of erecting a monument to them and Patriarch Hermogenes, but it was not supported by Emperor Alexander I, who considered that it would not be possible to raise enough funds for the monument.
However, in 1804, the sculptor Ivan Martos, on his own initiative, made a model of the monument, and the public appreciated it positively. After that, conversations stopped until 1808, when the inhabitants of Nizhny Novgorod again raised the issue of building a monument and began raising funds for it. This time the emperor supported the idea, giving permission to hold a competition for best project monument. The competition was attended by sculptors Ivan Martos, Theodosius Shchedrin, Stepan Pimenov, Jean-Francois Thomas de Thomon and a number of others, but the project of Ivan Martos was recognized as the best. On November 1, 1809, a nationwide subscription was announced to raise funds for the installation of the monument, and in 1811, 136,000 rubles were raised. Initially, the monument was planned to be erected in Nizhny Novgorod, which was ordered by the emperor, but Martos believed that it should be in Moscow, and managed to obtain permission for this, and a memorial obelisk was installed in the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin instead of the monument.
Work on the model of the monument began as early as 1811, the sculptor was not hindered even by the outbreak of the Patriotic War of 1812. When working on the figures of Minin and Pozharsky, his sons posed for Martos, the project changed several times: for example, in the first draft, Minin was dressed in a raincoat and pointed to Moscow with his left hand, and Pozharsky rushed forward, raising his shield high, both of them holding the sword with their free hands. Later, the clothes of men were simplified, and the composition became more calm. For the casting of the monument, an agreement was concluded with the foundry master of the Academy of Arts Vasily Ekimov, who was one of the first to cast the figures as a whole, and not in parts. August 5, 1816 for the first time in Russia complex composition, which includes the figures of two people, was cast at a time - only the sword, shield and helmet were cast separately. Granite blocks for the pedestal were made by St. Petersburg sculptor Samson Sukhanov in the Vyborg province, and his project was developed by the son-in-law of Ivan Martos, the architect Abraham Melnikov.
In 1818 the construction of the monument began. At first they wanted to install it at the Tverskaya Zastava, but Martos wanted to see him on Red Square, and they gave way to the sculptor: the monument was erected in front of the Upper Trading Rows facing the Kremlin. The solemn opening ceremony took place on February 20, 1818: Emperor Alexander I and all members of the imperial family, as well as 4 guards regiments who arrived from St. Petersburg and participated in the parade in honor of the opening of the monument, took part in it. The ceremony was a success and attracted the attention of the townspeople: the roofs of the nearest buildings, as well as the walls and towers of the Kremlin, were filled with people.
The Soviet years did not pass without a trace for the monument: streams of criticism fell upon it, the publicist Vladimir Blum called it "historical rubbish", and the writer Demyan Bedny in the poem "Without mercy" spoke of the bronze heroes as "two embezzlers of public funds". Fortunately, they did not demolish the monument, but in 1931, in connection with the construction of the Mausoleum and in order to free up the area for parades, it was moved to the walls of the Pokrovsky Cathedral, where it still stands today. The decision to move the monument was made by Joseph Stalin himself.
When working on the figures of Minin and Pozharsky, sculptor Ivan Martos was posed by his sons Alexei and Nikita.
In the high relief on the front side of the pedestal in the image of a father giving his two sons to the militia, the sculptor depicted himself and his sons, one of whom, Alexei, fought in Kutuzov's army, and the second, Nikita, was detained and killed by Napoleonic soldiers in France. The profile portrait of Martos with his sons was made by his student Samuil Halberg.
It took 1,100 pounds (~ 18,000 kilograms) of copper to make the monument. Although preparation for the casting took more than a month, the casting itself was completed in just 9 minutes.
The famous poet Alexander Pushkin expressed dissatisfaction with the inscription on the pedestal, giving the following comment: "The inscription to Citizen Minin, of course, is not satisfactory: for us, he is either the philistine Kosma Minin, nicknamed Sukhorukoy, or the duma nobleman Kosma Minich Sukhorukoy, or, finally, Kuzma Minin, an elected person from the entire Muscovite state, as he is called in the letter on the election of Mikhail Romanova All this would not be bad to know, as well as the name and patronymic of Prince Pozharsky.
The monument to Minin and Pozharsky became the first sculptural monument in Moscow - before that, in memory of any events in the city, they erected triumphal arches and other memorial buildings. In addition, this is the first monument in Russia, which depicts a native of the common people.
Initially, the monument was planned to be erected in Nizhny Novgorod, but at the behest of the sculptor, it was erected on Red Square in Moscow. In 2005, historical justice was restored to some extent: a reduced copy of the monument appeared in front of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin.
Today, the monument to Minin and Pozharsky has become one of the most popular city attractions and a true symbol of Moscow. Installed in the heart of the capital - on Red Square, it has become a must-see point on tourist maps, and the townspeople themselves fell in love with him.
It is understandable: how can one not love one of the oldest city monuments?
Monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square is located near the walls of St. Basil's Cathedral (Red Square, house 2). It can be reached on foot from metro stations. "Okhotny Ryad" Sokolnicheskaya line, "Revolution square" Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya, "Theatrical" Zamoskvoretskaya and "China town" Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya and Kaluga-Rizhskaya lines.
Monument to Minin and Pozharsky - sculptural group from brass and copper, created by Ivan Martos; located in front of St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square.
Dedicated to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky, leaders of the second people's militia during the Polish intervention in Time of Troubles, and the victory over Poland in 1612.
The front high relief depicts patriotic citizens donating their property for the good of the Motherland. On the left is the sculptor Martos himself, giving two sons to the fatherland (one of them died in 1813).
The rear high relief depicts Prince Pozharsky driving the Poles from Moscow.
The proposal to start raising funds for the construction of the monument was made in 1803 by members of the Free Society of Lovers of Literature, Sciences and Arts. Initially, the monument was supposed to be erected in Nizhny Novgorod, the city where the militia was assembled.
Sculptor Ivan Martos immediately set to work on the project of the monument. In 1807, Martos published an engraving from the first model of the monument, in which the folk heroes Minin and Pozharsky are Russian society as liberators of the country from foreign yoke.
In 1808, the inhabitants of Nizhny Novgorod applied for the highest permission to invite other compatriots to participate in the creation of the monument. The proposal was approved by Emperor Alexander I, who strongly supported the idea of erecting a monument.
In November 1808, the sculptor Ivan Martos won the competition for the best design of the monument, and an imperial decree was issued to subscribe to fundraising throughout Russia. The names of the subscribers were printed and made public.
In connection with the importance of the monument for Russian history, it was decided to install it in Moscow, and in Nizhny Novgorod to install a marble obelisk in honor of Minin and Prince Pozharsky.
Obelisk in honor of Minin and Pozharsky in Nizhny Novgorod.
Installed in 1828 in the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin instead of the originally planned monument. Designed by the architect A. I. Melnikov, the bas-reliefs were created according to the sketches of I. P. Martos.
Work on the creation of the monument began at the end of 1812 under the leadership of Ivan Martos. The small model of the monument was completed in the middle of 1812. In the same year, Martos began making a large model, and at the beginning of 1813 the model was opened to the public. The work was highly appreciated by Empress Maria Feodorovna (February 4) and members of the Academy of Arts
The casting of the monument was entrusted to Vasily Ekimov, a foundry master of the Academy of Arts. At the end preparatory work the casting was completed on August 5, 1816. 1100 pounds of copper were prepared for melting. Copper melted for 10 hours. The casting of such a colossal monument at one time was performed for the first time in European history.
Siberian marble was originally supposed to be used for the pedestal of the monument. But due to the significant size of the monument, it was decided to use granite. Huge stones were delivered to St. Petersburg from the shores of Finland, which was part of Russian Empire. A pedestal made up of three whole pieces, was made by the stonemason Sukhanov.
It was decided to transport the monument from St. Petersburg to Moscow by water, taking into account the size and weight of the monument, along the route through the Mariinsky Canal to Rybinsk, then along the Volga to Nizhny Novgorod, then up the Oka to Kolomna and along the Moscow River. On May 21, 1817, the monument was sent from St. Petersburg and on September 2 of the same year was delivered to Moscow.
At the same time, the place for the installation of the monument in Moscow was finally determined. It was decided that the best place is Red Square compared to the area at the Tver Gates, where the installation was previously supposed. A specific place on Red Square was determined by Martos: in the middle of Red Square, opposite the entrance to the Upper Trading Rows (now the GUM building).
Monument to Minin and Pozharsky at the Upper Trading Rows in the mid-1850s. Lithograph by Datsiaro after the original by F. Benois.
On February 20 (March 4), 1818, the Grand opening monument with the participation of Emperor Alexander and his family and with the confluence of a huge number of people. Guards parade on Red Square
Parade at the opening of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky. 19th century engraving.
Demonstration near the monument in the early days of the First World War. You can see the location of the monument in the center of Red Square. Photo by A. Saveliev. 1914.
In 1931, the monument to Minin and Pozharsky was considered an obstacle to demonstrations and parades of military equipment and was moved to St. Basil's Cathedral. The poet D Altauzen demanded to demolish the monument and erect a monument to N. Nekrasov in its place.
Monuments to Minin and Pozharsky in other cities
On November 4, 2005, a monument to Minin and Pozharsky by Zurab Tsereteli was opened in Nizhny Novgorod - a reduced (by 5 cm) copy of the Moscow monument. It is installed under the walls of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, near the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. According to the conclusion of historians and experts, in 1611 Kuzma Minin urged Nizhny Novgorod citizens to gather and equip the people's militia to defend Moscow from the Poles from the porch of this church. On the Nizhny Novgorod monument, the inscription is preserved, but without indicating the year.
Monument to Kozma Minin in Nizhny Novgorod. Installed in June 1989 (sculptor O. K. Komov).
Monument to Kozma Minin in Balakhna, Nizhny Novgorod region.
The monument was created to raise the patriotic spirit and was solemnly opened on November 7, 1943 in the city of Gorky (Nizhny Novgorod) (sculptor Alexander Kolobov).
Minin's figure was made of short-lived material (concrete) and painted in bronze. In the summer of 1985, the monument, requiring repair or replacement, was dismantled and sent to Balakhna, the alleged homeland of the hero.
Monument to Dmitry Pozharsky in the park near the walls of the Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery in Suzdal.
Monument to Dmitry Pozharsky in Zaraysk, Moscow region
In 1610-1611, Dmitry Pozharsky was the governor of Zaraysk.
Monument to Dmitry Pozharsky in the village of Borisoglebsky, Yaroslavl region
Monument to Dmitry Pozharsky in the village of Purekh, Nizhny Novgorod region
Monument to Minin and Pozharsky (Moscow, Russia) - description, history, location, reviews, photo and video.
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In the very heart of Moscow - on Red Square - there is a monument to Minin and Pozharsky. To be more precise, the sculptural group is installed in front of St. Basil's Cathedral. It is dedicated to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky, leaders of the second people's militia during the Polish intervention, and the victory over Poland in 1612.
The history of sculpture began in 1803, when members of the Free Society of Lovers of Literature, Sciences and Arts came up with the idea of building a monument. Emperor Alexander liked the idea and supported it. It is interesting that the monument to Minin and Pozharsky became the first monument in Moscow, which was erected not in honor of the tsar, but in honor of folk heroes. In 1808, the sculptor Ivan Martos won the competition for the best design of the monument, and an imperial decree was issued to subscribe to fundraising throughout Russia.
It is worth noting that when creating the sculptures of Minin and Pozharsky, Ivan Martos was posed by his own sons. Martos was a supporter of classicism, and that is why the heroes of his creation are a bit like ancient gods. However, the details of their appearance and clothing indicate that Minin and Pozharsky are Russians. So, for example, Minin's hair is cut in a bracket, and the attire resembles a Russian embroidered shirt.
The creation of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky made people big interest. After the victory in the war of 1812, the Russians supported this idea even more, because they saw the sculpture as a symbol of victory.
Initially, it was proposed to erect a monument in Nizhny Novgorod, where the militia was assembled. But later they decided that the victory over Poland was of great importance for the whole of Russia and it was more logical to install a sculpture in the capital. Novgorod was presented with a marble obelisk.
It is worth noting that for the first time in European history, a monument was cast entirely at one time. For its manufacture, 1100 pounds of copper were prepared, which was then melted for 10 hours. Granite for the pedestal was delivered to St. Petersburg from Finland, and from there it was transported by water to Moscow. In 1818, the grand opening of the monument took place with the participation of Emperor Alexander and his entire family.
Martos himself determined the place for the monument - in the center of Red Square, opposite the entrance to the Upper Trading Rows (modern GUM).
History, however, made its own adjustments - in 1931, the monument was moved to St. Basil's Cathedral, because in the same place it interfered with demonstrations and parades.
Today, the monument to Minin and Pozharsky is one of the main attractions of the Russian capital. By the way, not so long ago, a tradition dating back to the end of the 19th century was revived in Moscow, and in winter they again began to flood the skating rink on Red Square, next to the monument to the saviors of the Fatherland.
Today, any Muscovite or guest of the capital city can see the monument to citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky, erected in 1818 in the capital. The plot is very simple and devoid of any pomposity: the tradesman Kuzma Minin stands next to Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, pointing him to the Kremlin. Minin calls on the prince to join the people's militia and drive the interventionists out of their native land.
Pozharsky sits leaning on his shield, listening to the words of his comrade. His whole posture expresses the determination to give an immediate rebuff to the enemy.
It is interesting that the sculptor was originally going to place his heroes in a slightly different way: both were supposed to stand, discussing the plan for unification and joint military operations. However, one of the representatives of the aristocracy was indignant: “How, to allow a commoner to talk on an equal footing with a nobleman ?! It's bad manners!" And so it happened that Ivan Martos - the author of the monument - seated Pozharsky, and left Minin to stand in front of him.
The idea of a memorial folk heroes, which liberated Rus' from hordes of foreign invaders who wanted to profit at the expense of other people's goods, arose in 1803 among members of the Free Society of Lovers of Literature, Sciences and Arts.
The monument was supposed to adorn not the capital, but Nizhny Novgorod. This would fully reflect the historical reality: after all, the people's militia gathered in Nizhny. A competition for the best project was announced, the idea of Ivan Martos turned out to be the most consistent with the aspirations of the Russians, and they have already begun to prepare for the casting of the monument. But after the war of 1812 that thundered throughout Russia, it was decided: the monument should be installed in Moscow. He began to symbolize for the Russians also the victory in Patriotic War, so the capital seemed a more suitable place.
The monument was cast from 1100 pounds of copper in St. Petersburg. This became a kind of record: never before in the history of Europe has it been possible to make such a powerful monument in one sitting. For the manufacture of the pedestal, tons of granite were delivered from Finland to St. Petersburg.
And then the monument began its great journey. For 3 whole months he traveled from northern capital to Moscow, bypassing, among other things, Nizhny Novgorod, where he was supposed to original intention"settle". In February 1818, with a large gathering of people, in the presence of Emperor Alexander I and other representatives of the august family, the monument was solemnly opened.
Since then, it has stood near St. Basil's Cathedral, reminding every Russian of the heroes we must be proud of. By the way, Nizhny Novgorod also did not remain without a monument: November 4, 2005 (when the Day of national unity) a slightly reduced copy of the Moscow monument presented by Zurab Tsereteli appeared in this city.
How many of them were in Rus' - real heroes, thanks to whom it survived, withstood many serious trials our Motherland. It is a pity that not everyone can erect monuments. Let's be proud of them and, passing near the walls of the Moscow Kremlin, mentally thank all the saviors of the Russian land - and Minin, and Pozharsky, and those whose names are unknown to us.
Brief information about the monument to Minin and Pozharsky.
