Many historical figures are associated with Vologda, in whose honor monuments have been erected in the city. In memory of the Great Patriotic War, memorials of military glory and monuments to home front workers were unveiled. Recent events are also reflected in the monuments of the city. For example, obelisks have been erected in honor of the soldiers-internationalists, as well as the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident.
Many monuments were solemnly opened in the 2000s. The most famous among them is the monument in honor of the founder of the city - St. Gerasim of Vologda. There are also many art objects in Vologda - the famous "Talker Bird" or a monument to the letter "O". And some of the monuments in recent years have been reconstructed and reopened in a renewed form.
Historical and modern monuments of Vologda
List of the most famous monuments in the city!
Monument to the 800th anniversary of Vologda
This monument is located in the historical center of the city on the Lazy site. This was the name of the bargaining, where in the old days peasants sold their goods directly from carts. And in 1147 the Holy Trinity Monastery was founded here. This year is considered the date of the foundation of Vologda. The monument was erected in 1959. The stele is installed on a square pedestal faced with granite slabs. On each side there are arched openings that depict key events in the life of the city. On the western edge there is a bas-relief with the dates "1147-1947".
"Eternal flame"
The monument was opened on the Revolution Square for the 30th anniversary of the Victory, on May 9, 1975. The fire was brought from the Eternal Flame at the Kremlin Wall. At the foot are carved the words "Eternal memory to the residents of Vologda who died in the battles for the freedom and independence of our Motherland in the Great Patriotic War." In 2005 the memorial was reconstructed. Its main part was re-finished with red granite slabs, and lamps were installed around the perimeter.
Monument to the heroes of the October Revolution and the Civil War
Opened on November 6, 1977, to the 60th anniversary of the October Revolution. On the white obelisk there is a symbolic image of the heroes of the revolutionary struggle against the background of the sun's rays. Due to its characteristic shape, the monument received the nickname "Tooth" from the townspeople. In 2018, the question was raised about the demolition or transfer of the monument, but at the moment it is in the same place, not far from the Eternal Flame.
Monument to K. N. Batyushkov
This memorial was opened in 1987 before the bicentennial anniversary of the poet's birth. It is located not far from the Alexander Nevsky Church, on the right bank of the Vologda River. The composition consists of sculptural images of the poet Konstantin Batyushkov next to a horse, the goddess of war and wisdom Pallas Athena and Muse in the image of a peasant girl. Now the memorial is included in the regional list of cultural heritage sites. The residents of Vologda have a belief that if you rub your thumb on Muse's bare feet, your wish will come true.
Monument to the first electric lamp post
The monument was opened in 2005 in honor of the centenary of the appearance of electricity on the streets of Vologda. It is located on Prechistenskaya embankment and is an exact replica of the first lamppost in full size. Nearby is the figure of a dog, which lifted its paw on a pole. According to the architect Elena Nikitina, such an original solution should draw attention to the monument.
Monument to the letter "O"
The composition is a letter "O" about 3 meters high together with a pedestal. The letter is made of metal and decorated with traditional ornaments. The monument was unveiled in 2012 as a tribute to the North Russian dialect with its "okan". Now it has become a tradition among newlyweds to be photographed against the background of a letter, from which a kind of frame for a picture is obtained.
Bench "Let's sit and have a drink"
This forged bench is a gift to the residents of Vologda from the blacksmiths participating in the Voice of Crafts-2015 festival. It is installed on the Cathedral Hill on the embankment. In 2016, the bench was decorated with a forged accordion and a book in tribute to the memory of the poet Nikolai Rubtsov, whose favorite instrument was the accordion.
Monument to N.M. Rubtsov
Nikolai Rubtsov lived in Vologda for almost his entire short life - from moving here in childhood to his death at 35. Therefore, the idea of erecting a monument to the poet began to be developed long before its installation. At first, the author of the monument, sculptor A. Shebunin, for a long time could not find the image that would fully personify the poet. Then there was an agreement on the place where the monument will be installed. Finally, in 1998, the monument was solemnly unveiled in Petrovsky Park on the banks of the Vologda River. This is a full-length bronze figure of the poet, in a coat with a raised collar and a suitcase in hand.
Monument to A.S. Pushkin
The monument to the poet was erected in Vologda back in 1904, near the building of the Pushkin House. But it has not survived to this day, just as the name of its author has not survived. In the 1930s, a new monument was erected - a bust by the sculptor V. Domoratsky. In 1985, it was restored and moved to Pushkinskaya Street, to the square. Not far from the site of the monument, Pushkin readings and meetings of poetry lovers are held every year.
Monuments to V.I.Lenin
There are several monuments to V. Lenin in Vologda. The so-called “big monument” or “big Lenin” is located on Freedom Square. This is a full-length sculpture of V. Lenin, on a high pedestal. The author is the sculptor V. Tomsky. The monument was opened in 1958. Also in the city there is a "small monument to Lenin", located in the Children's Park, and monuments in honor of V. Lenin near the administration of VoGU and the building of the car repair plant.
"The door to ..."
The decorative wrought-iron composition is an open door, on one side of which there are images of ancient cathedrals of the Vologda region, and on the other - traditional patterns. On the upper part of the door, a drawing of the sun surrounded by fish is forged. The author of the work is the blacksmith M. Shubin. The Door to ... was installed on September 6, 2014 as part of the Voice of Crafts festival. It is located at the crossroads of Leningradskaya, Burmagin and Mayakovsky streets.
Monument to the Monk Gerasim
This is a monument to the founder of Vologda. According to legend, the Monk Gerasim came from Kiev to found in 1147 the first monastery of the Holy Trinity on the Vologda land. The city began to grow around the monastery. The sculptural monument depicts the Monk Gerasim of Vologda at full height in the vestments of a priest. The tablet on the pedestal contains a quote from the life of St. Gerasim with a mention of the foundation of the monastery.
Monument to P. Belyaev
P. Belyaev, a native of the Vologda Region, is one of the first cosmonauts in the USSR, Hero of the Soviet Union. In his honor in 1979, a monument was unveiled - a bronze bust of P. Belyaev wearing an astronaut's helmet. His widow and daughter took part in the opening of the monument, and they removed the cover from the monument.
Monument to Home Front Workers
This monument embodies gratitude and respect for the people who worked in the rear during the war. In 2010, a monument was opened in the Veterans Park. It depicts a woman and a teenager standing at the bench. The author of the work is A. Apollonov, Honored Artist of Russia. The inscription on the monument contains words of gratitude from the descendants.
Monument to Soldiers-Internationalists
The first opening of this monument took place in 1989. On February 15, 2019, the reconstructed memorial was reopened. In addition to the obelisk with a star, on the renovated monument there were plates with the names of the dead natives of the Vologda region and the names of the countries where they performed their military duty. A figure of a grieving mother is also installed nearby. The memorial is located in the October Square.
"Bird Talker"
The art object depicts the bird Talker - a character in the books of Kir Bulychev. The image is taken from the cartoon "The Mystery of the Third Planet".The opening took place on City Day, June 27, 2004. The author of the composition is M. Shubin, who also owns other art objects in the city. The bird Govorun is installed on S. Orlova Street and points with its wing towards the main tourist route of Vologda.
Monument to I. V. Babushkin
The memorial in honor of the native of the Vologda region, the famous revolutionary I. Babushkin was erected in Vologda in 1987, to the 70th anniversary of the October Revolution. It is a full-length sculptural image of I. Babushkin. The authors of the project are sculptor Y. Chernov and architect G. Isakovich. The monument is located in the park of the 825th anniversary of Vologda on Prokatova Street. Also in the name of I. Babushkin received a library and a station square.
"Tree-piggy bank"
This is a composition in the form of a forged apple tree more than 5 meters high. There is a bird's nest on the branches, and a safe-piggy bank at the roots. There are slots in the barrel where coins can be dropped. The art object was opened on City Day in 2018. This is the work of a whole group of authors, which included A. Chernov, S. Fominsky, O. Konin and S. Nikulin. A fruiting apple tree symbolizes well-being and family happiness, therefore it was she who was chosen by the masters as a gift to the city.
Tank T-34
This is a monument in honor of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, as well as home front workers who raised funds for the construction of new military equipment. A real T-34 is installed on the pedestal, which took part in the hostilities. The opening took place on May 8, 1975.
Monument to Participants of Elimination of Consequences of Radiation Accidents
It is dedicated to the natives of the Vologda Territory who took part in the liquidation of the Chernobyl accident. The monument was opened in November 2011. It is made in the form of a granite stele with a bronze symbolic image of the atom and the inscription: "To the participants in the elimination of the consequences of radiation accidents and disasters." The memorial is located at the intersection of Herzen Street and Pervomayskaya Street.
Monument to Admiral N.G. Kuznetsov
The opening of the monument to the Naval Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the USSR, Hero of the Soviet Union, Admiral N. Kuznetsov, took place on June 24, 2016. The ceremony was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the admiral's birthday. A bronze bust was installed in the Kirovsky park. The creation of the monument was carried out within the framework of the "Alley of Russian Glory" project. The bust itself was handed over to the city from the training center of submariners, during the "Relay of Memory" automobile march.
Monument to S. Ilyushin
S. Ilyushin is known primarily as the developer of the famous attack aircraft, "flying tank" - Il-2. The monument to the famous native of the Vologda Territory was opened in January 1977. This is a bronze bust, which is installed at the intersection of Oktyabrskaya Street and Mira Street. On a high pedestal there is a plaque listing S. Ilyushin's merits. In 2015, the monument was restored. Another memorial in honor of S. Ilyushin is the IL-28 trainer, which is located at the beginning of the street, also named after the aircraft designer.
Escape from Hell
The memorial was opened in 2016 in honor of the feat of 10 prisoners of war who escaped from a concentration camp in a hijacked German bomber. One of its organizers was a native of Vologda, V. Sokolov. The names of those who escaped are engraved on the monument, as well as an image of a concentration camp guard tower and a flying plane. The name of the memorial comes from the autobiographical book of M. Devyatayev, who led the escape.
"Mongrel basking on the hatch"
The art object was installed in May 2016 on the Trade Square. Depicts a mongrel dog basking on a real heating main hatch. In the background is a stylized mongrel kennel. The composition was created on the initiative of the employees of the Vologda heating network, as the original design of the old heating route. The author of the project is A. Borisovsky.
"Zero kilometer of highways in the Vologda region"
This is a symbolic sign of the beginning of the roads - the image of the border post with the inscription "0 km", located in the arch. Next to it there are 4 pointers showing the distance to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yaroslavl and Arkhangelsk. The "Zero Kilometer" is located on Revolution Square, near the main post office. The opening took place in July 2007.
"Police Belfry"
The monument to the police officers who died in the line of duty is located in the Theater Square, st. October. This is an obelisk, at the top of which is a bell, and at the foot of the words "You trampled death on death and, dying, affirmed life." Four steles form a symbolic cross - a symbol of duty. The monument was unveiled in 1996 as a token of memory to the police officers who died in Chechnya.
Memorial to the evacuated Leningraders who died in Vologda hospitals
The monument to the residents of Leningrad who died during the evacuation to Vologda was opened in 1988. It is located in the southern part of the Poshekhonsky military cemetery. This is a composition in the form of a figure of a grieving mother with a baby in her arms, walking along a narrow corridor. At the foot of the monument, a capsule with the ground of the Piskarevsky cemetery is buried.
Monument to A.F.Klubov
A bronze bust in honor of the hero-pilot A. Klubov is installed on his grave, at the Vvedenskoye cemetery. The installation of the monument took place in 2001 after the solemn reburial of the hero's remains. Earlier, the grave of A. Klubov was on the Hill of Glory in Lvov, but at the request of his relatives it was moved to his homeland, Vologda. The authors of the monument are A. Shebunin and G. Vinogradov.
Monument to I. Konev
The monument in honor of the famous commander of the Great Patriotic War was opened on May 7, 2010, in preparation for the celebration of Victory Day. It is located at the beginning of a street also named after the marshal. The original execution of the monument caused controversy - the reason was the unusual geometry of the pedestal. However, this project was approved by the relatives of I. Konev.
Cross Khachkar
Translated from Armenian, "khachkar" means "stone cross". It is a stone stele engraved with a cross. Such a khachkar appeared in Vologda in June 2012. It was installed at the expense of the Armenian diaspora of the region, and symbolizes the friendship of the Russian and Armenian peoples.
