The question of when exactly the monument to Minin and Pozharsky was erected on Red Square worries not only schoolchildren preparing for exams, but also many tourists interested in the history of Russia. This monument is the first sculptural monument in Moscow created in honor of national heroes, and its appearance became a landmark event for the entire empire. The exact date of installation of the sculpture on the pedestal is considered to be February 20, 1818, although the grand opening with the participation of the emperor and the general public took place later, in August of the same year.
The history of the creation of the masterpiece covers a long period, full of bureaucratic delays, financial difficulties and technical difficulties. Ivan Petrovich Martos, the author of the project, worked on it for more than ten years, starting from the announcement of a nationwide subscription for construction in 1811. It is important to understand that the installation process was not just a mechanical action, but a highly complex engineering operation that required precise calculations and foundation preparation.
Many people mistakenly believe that the monument has always stood at Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is on the Moat, but initially it was located in the center of the square, right in front of the shopping arcades. The movement of the sculpture to its current location occurred already in Soviet times, in 1936, which was associated with a change in the functionality of Red Square and the need to organize parades. Let's take a closer look at the steps involved in creating and installing this majestic work of art.
Background and announcement of the competition
The idea to erect a monument in honor of the heroes of the people's militia of 1612 arose long before the start of work. In 1803, the Imperial Free Economic Society announced a competition for the best design of the monument. The winner was Ivan Martos, whose sketch amazed the commission with its patriotism and artistic power. However, real work began only a few years later, when the Society of Lovers of Russian Literature took upon itself the organization of fundraising.
The project was financed through public subscription, which was a unique phenomenon for that time. Money was donated by all layers of society: from peasants who gave their last penny, to representatives of the aristocracy and the imperial family itself. They managed to collect more than 140 thousand rubles, which became a record amount for charitable purposes in the early 19th century.
⚠️ Attention: In historical documents there is often confusion between the date of completion of casting, the date of installation on the square and the date of official opening. Do not confuse these events, as months of preparatory work passed between them.
The choice of location for installation also caused heated debate. Options were considered in Nizhny Novgorod, where the militia was formed, and in Moscow. As a result, it was decided to erect a monument in the ancient capital, which became a symbol of victory over foreign invaders. The project was approved, and painstaking work began on creating plaster models.
The process of creating a sculpture
It took Martos several years to create the figures. The sculptor carefully studied historical costumes from the Time of Troubles era in order to achieve maximum authenticity. He consulted with historians, studied birch bark letters and ancient images of the clothing of boyars and merchants. The result was amazing detail that can still be seen today.
Casting of bronze figures was carried out at the Berg plant in St. Petersburg. This was a highly complex technical process that required the highest skill of foundry workers. The figures of Minin and Pozharsky were cast in parts, which were then connected to each other. The weight of the finished composition was more than 5.5 tons, not counting the weight of the pedestal.
- 🗿 The figure of Pozharsky depicts the prince at the moment when he, wounded, rises from the bed, taking the sword from Minin’s hands.
- 🛡️ In his right hand the prince holds a shield with the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, symbolizing the protection of the Orthodox faith.
- 📜 Minin points the way to the Kremlin with his left hand, calling on the prince to stand at the head of the militia.
- ⚔️ The composition conveys the dynamics of the moment and the determination of the heroes to save the Fatherland.
In parallel with the casting of the figures, work was carried out on the creation of the pedestal. For its cladding it was chosen Karelian granite, mined in the vicinity of Olonets. The stone was processed manually, which took a significant amount of time. Each block was carefully fitted to create a monolithic base for the heavy bronze group.
Technical aspects of installing the monument
Transportation of finished parts of the monument from St. Petersburg to Moscow became a separate logistical challenge. In conditions of muddy roads and bad roads, it was extremely difficult to deliver a multi-ton cargo. Parts of the sculpture and granite blocks were transported on horse-drawn sleighs, covering hundreds of miles.
In Moscow, it was necessary to prepare a foundation capable of withstanding colossal loads. The soil on Red Square did not have a high load-bearing capacity, so it was necessary to drive many piles and create a powerful foundation. Engineering work was carried out under the personal supervision of architects and engineers of the time.
The structure was assembled on site using wooden scaffolding and blocks. The lifting of heavy bronze elements was carried out using gates and levers. This required the synchronous work of dozens of people and high coordination of actions. Any mistake could result in damage to the unique work of art.
☑️ Stages of monument installation
Particular attention was paid to attaching the figures to the pedestal. For this purpose, special metal pins and lead gaskets were used to ensure stability and protection from vibrations. The design was designed to last for centuries, and the engineers’ calculations turned out to be correct - the monument has stood for more than two hundred years.
Date of installation and grand opening
As already mentioned, the installation of the sculpture on the pedestal took place February 20, 1818. However, this event was not accompanied by magnificent celebrations, as active work was underway to improve the area around the monument. In fact, the monument has been erected, but has not yet been opened for general publication.
The official opening ceremony took place on August 20, 1818, on the day of the 5th anniversary of the Battle of Borodino. It was a grand event that brought together thousands of Muscovites. Emperor Alexander I, members of the imperial family, high officials of the state and the clergy were present on the square.
| Event | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription announcement | 1811 | St. Petersburg |
| Completion of casting | 1816 | St. Petersburg |
| Installation on a pedestal | February 20, 1818 | Moscow, Red Square |
| Grand opening | 20 August 1818 | Moscow, Red Square |
On the opening day, guards were lined up around the monument, and balloons hovered over the square. After the prayer service performed in the Assumption Cathedral, the consecration ceremony took place. From that moment on, the monument to Minin and Pozharsky became one of the main attractions of Moscow and a symbol of national unity.
Interesting fact about the discovery
The famous Karamzin was present at the opening, who wrote about this event in his letters. He noted that the sight of the monument brought tears to many of those present.
Architectural features and symbolism
The monument is made in the style of high classicism, which is typical for the art of the early 19th century. The composition is built on contrast: the calm, stately figure of Pozharsky and the more dynamic, active pose of Minin. This contrast emphasizes the different but equivalent roles of the heroes: the military leader and the organizer.
The pedestal of the monument is also a work of art. It is decorated with bronze bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the life of the militia. On one side we see Minin’s call, on the other - the distribution of weapons, on the third - the expulsion of the Poles from the Kremlin. These images serve as a visual complement to the main sculptural group.
- 🏛️ The height of the monument with the pedestal is more than 9 meters.
- 🎨 Bronze bas-reliefs are made with incredible detail, people's faces and the texture of clothing are visible.
- 📜 The inscriptions on the pedestal are made in an ancient font, imitating the charter of the XV-XVII centuries.
- 🌲 It was originally planned to plant trees around the monument, creating a square.
⚠️ Attention: When examining the bas-reliefs, pay attention to the fact that they are located at different heights. The lower parts may be hidden by snow in winter or fencing elements, so the best time to inspect is summer.
The symbolism of the monument goes far beyond the simple glorification of two historical figures. This is a hymn to national unity, the ability of people of different classes to unite to save the Motherland. That is why the images of Minin and Pozharsky remain relevant at all times.
When visiting Red Square, walk around the monument - the bas-reliefs on the back side of the pedestal often go unnoticed by tourists, although they are no less interesting than the front part.
Relocation of the monument in 1936
In the 1930s, the appearance of Red Square changed dramatically. The Soviet government decided to hold military parades, for which the central part of the square had to be free. The monument to Minin and Pozharsky, standing in the middle, interfered with the movement of equipment and columns.
A decision was made to move the monument. The dismantling and transportation operation was successful, which was another engineering miracle of the time. The sculpture was carefully removed from the pedestal, packed and transported to the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin, where it remains to this day.
The new location was not chosen by chance. It is located closer to the edge of the square, which allows the monument to be preserved in the historical center, but frees up space for parades. In addition, St. Basil's Cathedral became an excellent architectural backdrop for classical sculpture.
During the Great Patriotic War, the monument was enclosed in a wooden box to protect it from bomb and shell fragments. Thanks to these measures, it was not damaged during the bombardments of Moscow and has survived to this day in its original form.
The relocation of the monument in 1936 was dictated solely by utilitarian considerations of organizing parades, and not by an ideological struggle against the royal legacy, which made it possible to preserve the monument.
Current condition and restoration
Over more than two centuries of its existence, the monument has been restored several times. The aggressive urban environment, exhaust gases and temperature changes negatively affect bronze and granite. The last major restoration took place in 2022-2023, during which surfaces were cleaned and structures were strengthened.
Specialists use modern methods of laser cleaning and chemical preservation of metal. This allows you to remove a layer of soot and oxides without damaging the patina that has formed over the centuries. Work is also being carried out to waterproof the foundation to prevent the destruction of the pedestal.
Today the monument to Minin and Pozharsky is a cultural heritage site of federal significance. It is protected by the state and is under constant supervision of restorers. A pedestrian zone has been created around the monument, which allows tourists to freely approach and examine the details of the sculpture.
Why did they decide not to return the monument to its central location?
The return of the monument to its historical site in the center of Red Square has been discussed several times, especially in the post-Soviet period. However, it was decided to leave it at the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Firstly, this place has already become familiar and iconic for several generations. Secondly, the central part of the square is necessary for large-scale events, such as the Victory Parade and New Year's festivities, where the monument could become an obstacle or be damaged.
Who financed the creation of the monument?
The uniqueness of the project was that it was created with public money. Emperor Alexander I personally donated 10 thousand rubles, but the bulk of the funds came from contributions from ordinary citizens. There were special collection circles where people brought copper coins. This made the monument truly national.
Are there copies of the monument in other cities?
Yes, smaller copies of the monument exist. For example, one of them was installed in Nizhny Novgorod, on Minin and Pozharsky Square, which symbolically connects the two cities. There are also souvenir copies and models, but the original, cast according to the Martos model, is found only in Moscow.
What is depicted on the shield in Pozharsky’s hand?
The shield of Prince Pozharsky depicts the face of the Savior Not Made by Hands. This is not just a decorative element, but a deep symbol. In those days, faith played a key role in uniting the people. The image of Christ indicated that the militia was going to defend not only the land, but also the Orthodox faith, which was the main ideological core of the fight against the interventionists.
What is the exact height of the monument?
The total height of the monument including the pedestal is about 9 meters. The height of the bronze figures themselves is approximately 4.5 meters. The weight of the bronze group is 5500 kg (5.5 tons), and the weight of the granite pedestal is much greater, reaching tens of tons. Such a scale made it one of the largest monuments of that time in Europe.