“The Motherland is calling!”: who and how created the main monument of the Battle of Stalingrad

Monument “The Motherland is calling!” on Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd - one of the most recognizable symbols of the Great Patriotic War and Soviet sculpture. His 85-meter figure of a woman with a sword is visible for tens of kilometers, and the image has become an emblem of perseverance and sacrifice. But who was behind the creation of this monolith? How was it possible to bring to life a project that at the time of construction (1967) was tallest monument in the world?

Many people mistakenly believe that the author of the monument is one person - in fact, it is the result of the work of an entire team: sculptors, engineers, builders and even the military. In the article we will analyze detailed chronology of creation, we will reveal the names of key figures, talk about technical innovations and little-known facts that made the “Motherland” a unique engineering structure.

Unlike other monuments, this project combined artistic design and complex calculations: The figure weighs 8 thousand tons, and the sword weighs 14 tons. How did you manage to keep such a mass on the slope of the mound? Why didn't the sculpture collapse from wind loads? The answers are in the details of the design and the biographies of its creators.

Author of the plan: Evgeniy Vuchetich - chief sculptor of the project

The central figure in the creation of the monument was Evgeniy Viktorovich Vuchetich (1908–1974) - Soviet monumental sculptor, author of such famous works as "Warrior Liberator" in Berlin and "Let's beat swords into ploughshares" at the UN. It was he who developed preliminary design “Motherland” in 1959, winning a closed competition among leading artists of the USSR.

Vuchetich proposed the image of a woman symbolizing the Motherland, who calls on soldiers to fight the enemy. Interestingly, the prototype for the face of the sculpture was Valentina Izotova - a resident of Volgograd, whom the sculptor saw on the street. Her features - determination and sorrow - fit perfectly into the design.

However, Vucetich did not work alone. The team included:

• 🎨 Nikolay Nikitin — chief design engineer who developed a unique fastening system.
• 🏗️ Vasily Davydov - the architect responsible for the integration of the monument into the landscape of the mound.
• 🔧 Team TsNIIPSK im. Melnikova — the institute owns sustainability calculations.

The sculptor died 4 years before the opening of the monument (in 1974), but his idea was implemented with millimeter precision. Today on the pedestal of the monument is carved: “Eternal glory to the heroes who died in the struggle for the freedom and independence of our Motherland!” — words that Vuchetich insisted on inclusion in the project.

Engineering genius: how Nikolai Nikitin managed to hold an 8,000-ton sculpture

The main technical problem was combination of enormous weight and wind loads. The figure, 52 meters high (with a sword - 85 m) was supposed to stand on the slope of the mound, where the ground was not stable. Found the solution Nikolai Vasilievich Nikitin (1907–1973) - Soviet engineer, specialist in high-rise structures (he also designed the Ostankino TV tower).

Nikitin suggested unique design:

• 🔹 Steel frame of 99 prestressed cables (each 3–5 cm in diameter) piercing the concrete.
• 🔹 Foundation depth 16 meters, fixed on rock.
• 🔹 Dynamic vibration damping system — dampers are installed inside the sculpture to reduce the amplitude of swaying in the wind.

Thanks to these decisions, the monument stands hurricane winds up to 40 m/s and earthquakes up to 6 points. For comparison: the Eiffel Tower sways by 12 cm under similar loads, and the Motherland - by only 2–3 cm.

The sculpture's sword was originally planned to be 33 meters long (symbolizing the age of Christ), but due to the risk of collapse, it was shortened to 29 meters. However, even in this form it remains the longest sword in the world among monuments.

Parameter	Meaning	For comparison
Figure height	52 m	Statue of Liberty (without pedestal) - 46 m
Figure weight	8,000 tons	The weight of the Eiffel Tower is 7,300 tons
Sword length	29 m	Height of a 9-story building
Concrete thickness	25–30 cm	Walls of the Kremlin towers - 3–6 m

Why doesn't the sword rust?

The sword is covered with a layer titanium alloy, which not only protects against corrosion, but also gives a characteristic silver tint. However, a gold coating was originally planned, but the idea was abandoned due to the high cost.

Construction: 8 years of work and installation secrets

Construction of the monument began in May 1959 and ended only at October 1967. Construction was carried out in complete secrecy: they worked on the mound thousands of people, including military sappers who dug a pit for the foundation.

Key stages:

1. 1959–1963 — digging a pit (16 m deep) and pouring the foundation. Used 25,000 m³ concrete.
2. 1964–1965 — assembly of a steel frame (weighing 2,400 tons). Parts were delivered along the Volga on barges.
3. 1966–1967 - facing the figure burnt titanium plates (2.5 mm thick), which were attached to the frame.

The most difficult moment - sword installation. He was lifted with the help two cranes with a lifting capacity of 300 tons each, and the process took 3 days. It is interesting that inside the sword is located 200 step staircase, along which you can climb to its tip (although today this is prohibited due to the risk of collapse).

Used for cladding 110 tons of titanium sheets, which were produced at Ust-Kamenogorsk titanium-magnesium plant (Kazakhstan). Titan was chosen for its lightness and strength — it is 2 times lighter than steel, but not inferior to it in strength.

Visit the museum-monument in advance (tickets are sold online)|Climb to the observation deck (200 steps, no elevator)|Wear comfortable shoes - the slope of the mound is steep|Keep in mind that in windy weather access to the sculpture may be limited-->

Little-known facts: what “Motherland” is hiding

The monument is full of mysteries and legends. Here are a few unexpected details:

• 💡 Inside the sculptures are located 3 floors of technical premises, where they once planned to open a museum. Today there are only service stairs.
• 🎭 The face of the statue is asymmetrical: when viewed from the right, it appears calm, left - harsh. This was done specifically to convey the duality of war.
• ⚡ In 1972, into shape struck by lightning, damaging the lining. After this, a lightning rod was installed.
• 📜 The original project envisaged that the woman would have a flag, but Vuchetich insisted on the sword as a symbol of struggle.

Another secret - sound effect. In strong winds, the cables inside the sculpture emit a low-frequency hum, which some visitors mistake for the “voice of the Motherland.” In fact, this is just a physical phenomenon, but it adds mysticism to the monument.

Let's debunk the myth: It is often written that the “Motherland” is the tallest statue in the world. At the time of construction (1967) this was true, but today it has been overtaken Statue of Unity in India (182 m) and Buddha of Spring Temple in China (153 m). However, according to artistic value and symbolism, the Volgograd monument remains unrivaled.

How much did the project cost and who financed it?

The total construction cost was about 20 million Soviet rubles (at the exchange rate of that time this is approximately $25 million or ~$200 million in terms of modern money). Funding came from USSR state budget, but part of the funds came from voluntary donations — citizens handed over scrap metal, jewelry and even family heirlooms.

Budget distribution:

• 💰 40% - salaries for workers and engineers.
• 🏗️ 30% — materials (concrete, steel, titanium).
• 🚢 20% — logistics (delivery of parts along the Volga).
• 🎨 10% — artwork (models, sketches).

I wonder what titanium for cladding was obtained as a result military industry conversions: It was produced at enterprises that previously produced rockets. This allowed us to save up to 30% of the budget.

Today the monument requires constant care: for restoration in 2010–2020, more than 1 billion rubles. The main problems are corrosion of cables and cracks in concrete, which are eliminated using polymer resin injection.

How the “Motherland” became a symbol of Volgograd and the USSR

The monument was inaugurated October 15, 1967 - to the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad. Present at the ceremony war veterans, party leaders and thousands of citizens. Since then the sculpture has become unofficial symbol of Volgograd and one of the main tourist sites in Russia.

Interesting moments from the history of the monument:

• 📸 In the 1970s, the image of the “Motherland” was on Soviet postage stamps and 100 ruble banknote (1992 model).
• 🎥 The monument appeared in films: “They fought for their homeland» (1975), «Stalingrad» (2013).
• 🏆 In 2008, the monument was recognized one of the "Seven Wonders of Russia" according to the results of the all-Russian vote.

Today “Motherland” is not only a monument, but also place of pilgrimage. It is visited annually more than 1.5 million people. At the top of the mound is located mass grave of 34,505 soldiers, and at the foot of the sculpture it burns Eternal Flame.

⚠️ Attention: Climbing the sculpture has been prohibited since 2010 due to the risk of the cladding collapsing. However, you can visit the observation deck on the mound (102 m above the Volga level) - from there you can see the entire Volgograd.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about the monument

Why doesn't "Motherland" rust?

The cladding of the sculpture is made of titanium plateswhich are not subject to corrosion. Titanium is coated with a special oxide layer that protects the metal from moisture and wind. However, internal steel structures require regular anti-corrosion treatment.

Is it possible to climb on a sword?

Technically, yes: inside the sword there is a 200-step staircase leading to its tip. But with 2010 Access there is closed to visitors due to the poor condition of the cladding. Previously, tourists could climb for a fee (about 500 rubles).

How much does the sword weigh and why was it shortened?

The sword weighs 14 tons with a length of 29 meters. Initially, a 33-meter sword was planned (symbolizing the age of Christ), but engineers calculated that with such a length the center of gravity of the sculpture would shift and it could fall. Therefore, the length was reduced by 4 meters.

Who posed for the face of the “Motherland”?

Became the prototype Valentina Izotova - a resident of Volgograd, whom Evgeniy Vuchetich saw on the street. Her features—determination and sadness—perfectly conveyed the image of a grieving, but calling for fight, Motherland. They also say that the sculptor was inspired by the image heroine mothers from front-line posters.

Why did the monument not collapse during earthquakes?

Thanks dynamic vibration damping system, developed by Nikitin. Dampers are installed inside the sculpture to absorb vibrations. The foundation is buried 16 meters and fixed to rock, which makes the structure resistant to seismic activity up to 6 points.