Monument to Minin and Pozharsky

Date of publication:
Section: Moscow
Monument to Minin and Pozharsky

Initially, it was planned to erect a monument to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky on the square in front of the Kremlin in Nizhny Novgorod, where the militia gathered. However, during the work, it was decided to install a sculptural group in the center of Moscow to emphasize the significance of this historical event. The monument to Minin and Pozharsky became the first monument in Moscow: previously, triumphal arches, chapels and temples were erected in honor of important events. The author of the project was the sculptor Ivan Martos. Work on the monument began in 1812, four years later the monument was ready. For the first time in European history, such a large monument was cast at one time. The plot of the monument: Nizhny Novgorod citizen Minin points Prince Pozharsky to the Kremlin and calls on him to rise up to fight the Poles. Kuzma Minin gives the prince a sword as a future military commander, and he himself undertakes to raise funds and people. It is interesting that initially, according to the sculptor's plan, both great men stood, but the nobility protested "How is it possible for a noble prince to stand next to a commoner on equal terms!?". The sculptor decorated the pedestal with two high reliefs. The front high relief "Nizhny Novgorod Citizens" depicts people donating their wealth to protect the Motherland. Among the figures are Martos himself and his two sons, who are going to war. The rear high relief "The Expulsion of the Poles" depicts Prince Pozharsky, who chases the invaders from Moscow. The figures of Minin and Pozharsky were made in the classical style and resembled antique statues, but there are Russian elements in the sculptural composition. Funds for the monument were collected throughout Russia. The grand opening of the monument took place in 1818 in the center of Red Square. After the revolution, the monument was moved from the center of the square to St. Basil's Cathedral — it interfered with parades. However, there was also a legend that someone from above did not like Minin's pointing gesture with a call to free the Kremlin from temporary workers.

And Nizhny Novgorod residents still received a monument. The work of the sculptor Z. In 2005, Tsereteli was placed near the Kremlin on the very square where Minin once called the militia.