The question of who created the majestic sculpture “The Motherland Calls!” worries not only historians, but also everyone who has ever seen this monument on Mamayev Kurgan. The answer lies in the tandem of two outstanding personalities: the sculptor Evgeniy Vuchetich and design engineer Nikolai Nikitin. It was their joint work that made it possible to implement a project that had been considered technically impossible for decades.
The creation of the monument was timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Stalingrad, and the scale of the task required non-standard solutions. If Vuchetich was responsible for the artistic part, then Nikitin had to make sure that the giant figure did not fall under its own weight and withstand gusts of wind. The official opening date of the monument is October 15, 1967when construction was completely completed.
The history of this chevre is not just a biography of the authors, but also a chronicle of bold experiments with materials. You will be interested to know that to implement the project it was necessary to invent new grades of concrete and introduce unique reinforcement methods. Let's figure out exactly how this symbol of victory was created.
Author duet: Vuchetich and Nikitin
The main ideological inspirer and artistic director of the project was Evgeniy Viktorovich Vuchetich. It was he who created the initial sketch, capturing the moment when the motherland woman calls her sons to battle with the enemy. His previous works, such as the soldier's monument in Treptower Park, had already established him as a master of monumental propaganda.
However, only a brilliant engineer could realize the idea in concrete and metal. Nikolai Vasilievich Nikitin, who also designed the Ostankino TV tower and the Moscow State University building, took on the most difficult task. He had to calculate the stability of a structure 85 meters high (taking into account the foundation - 102 meters), which was supposed to stand on the top of a hill.
The collaboration between these two masters was not always smooth. The artist demanded maximum dynamics and lightness of form, while the engineer insisted on making the structure heavier to ensure safety. As a result, a compromise was found: prestressed concrete made it possible to make walls only 15–25 centimeters thick, while maintaining incredible strength.
Technical features and materials
When creating the monument, advanced technologies for the 1960s were used. The basis of the design is reinforced concrete frame, inside of which a complex system of steel cables is stretched. These cables are in a state of constant tension, which allows the structure to “breathe” and compensate for thermal expansion and wind loads.
For external cladding, special concrete grade was used M-500, which had increased frost resistance and water resistance. It is important to understand that the statue is hollow inside, and you can get there via a spiral staircase leading to an observation deck near the head of the sculpture. However, access there is strictly limited.
The sword that holds the monument deserves special attention. It was originally made of stainless steel and covered with titanium sheets. However, due to the strong windage, the sword swayed strongly in the wind, posing a threat to the integrity of the entire structure. Later it was replaced with a lighter aluminum alloy.
If you are planning to visit Mamayev Kurgan, please note that the climb to the observation deck inside the sculpture is currently closed to tourists for reasons of safety and preservation of the monument.
The internal cavity of the statue is divided into several tiers. There are located:
- 🏗️ Load-bearing concrete rigidity diaphragms.
- 🔩 Rope system for pre-tensioning.
- 🪜 Spiral staircase of 199 steps.
- 🌬️ Ventilation holes that reduce wind pressure.
Construction and installation stages
Construction of the monument took place from 1959 to 1967. The first stage was preparing the foundation. Since Mamayev Kurgan is a complex terrain with landslide soils, engineers had to drive more than 200 piles, going 16–20 meters deep. This ensured a reliable “landing” of the giant.
The process of constructing a statue itself is reminiscent of assembling a complex construction set. Concreting was carried out continuously, layer by layer. To control quality, special sensors were installed inside the body of the monument, which continue to monitor the condition of concrete and reinforcement to this day.
The installation was carried out in difficult weather conditions. Construction workers had to work at heights without the modern safety systems used today. Each element of the formwork had to be lifted up and secured manually.
☑️ Stages of creating a monument
⚠️ Attention: Several accidents occurred during construction. In particular, when lifting structural elements at high altitudes, the wind was disrupted, which created extreme conditions for workers.
Prototypes and artistic images
There is a persistent myth that the model for the sculpture was Valentina Izotova, who worked at the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant during the war. However, Evgeniy Vuchetich himself claimed that he created a collective image of a mother seeing off and calling her sons. Many women of that time participated in the work on the image.
It is interesting that the face of the monument does not have a specific prototype. The sculptor sought to convey not individual features, but emotion - anger, pain and determination. Grotesque forms, flowing clothes and a dynamic pose are designed to enhance this impression on the viewer located at the foot of the mound.
Some researchers draw parallels between the “Motherland” and ancient Nika Samothrace. Indeed, in both compositions there is movement towards the wind and an impulse directed towards the future. However, Soviet monumentalism added to these forms the heaviness and drama inherent in the era of post-war reconstruction.
Comparison with other monuments
At the time of completion of construction, “Motherland” in Volgograd was the tallest sculpture in the world. Today she has lost this title, but remains a symbol of engineering. To compare the technical parameters of various giants, you can refer to the table below.
| Name of the monument | Location | Height (m) | Opening year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motherland (Volgograd) | Russia, Volgograd | 85 (with sword) | 1967 |
| Motherland (Kyiv) | Ukraine, Kyiv | 62 | 1981 |
| Statue of Liberty | USA, New York | 46 (figure) | 1886 |
| Liberation Monument | Bulgaria, Shipka | 31.5 | 1930 |
As can be seen from the table, the Volgograd monument significantly exceeds many well-known monuments in height. However, the Kiev “Motherland”, created later, has its own unique features, in particular, it is made of stainless steel, not concrete.
The secret to sustainability
Why doesn't the monument fall? The problem is in the internal cable system. They are stretched with enormous force, creating a “string” effect. When there is wind, the cables bend slightly, dampening vibrations, but tend to return the structure to its original position.
Preservation problems and restoration
More than 50 years after its opening, the monument began to require serious intervention from restorers. Concrete, despite its strength, is subject to aging. Microcracks were discovered in the body of the sculpture, and the reinforcement began to corrode in places due to moisture ingress.
In the 2010s, large-scale reconstruction began. Engineers had to develop a unique method of strengthening without compromising the integrity of the monument. A monitoring system was implemented that provides real-time data on structure displacement and cable stress.
One of the main problems remained the sword. During the latest restoration, it was decided to completely replace its structure with a lighter and more aerodynamic one in order to reduce the wind load on the sculpture’s arm and shoulder.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to independently repair or interfere with the structure of the monument are strictly prohibited. Even vibration from powerful tools can upset the tension balance of internal cables.
Modern technologies make it possible to extend the life of Vuchetich and Nikitin’s masterpiece for another century. Regular condition monitoring prestressed concrete and replacement of external cladding elements are key tasks for the monument's custodians.
The durability of the monument depends not so much on the quality of the concrete, but on the condition of the internal system of steel cables, which require constant checking of tension.
Interesting facts about creation
There are many legends surrounding the creation of the monument. One of them says that during construction, a capsule with a message to descendants was walled up in the foundation. Another claims that the blood of soldiers who died on the Stalingrad front was added to the concrete, although there is no documentary evidence of this.
It is a known fact that to work on the sculpture, a special workshop was created, where a copy of the mound was recreated on a reduced scale. This allowed Vuchetich to evaluate how the figure would look from different vantage points.
The builders used unique formwork forms that were lifted by cranes. The concrete was supplied by pumps, and it was important to prevent the formation of seams between the layers so that the solidity of the structure would not be affected.
When visiting Mamayev Kurgan, pay attention to the base of the monument: there you will see traces of formwork, which they decided not to hide, leaving them as evidence of the construction era.
The answer to the question of who created the “Motherland” is not limited to two names. This is the work of thousands of workers, engineers, architects and artists who put their souls into creating the main memorial of the Great Patriotic War.
Is it true that you could walk inside the statue?
Yes, there is a spiral staircase inside leading to the observation deck. However, access inside is currently closed to tourists due to the risk of structural damage and the difficulty of evacuation in case of an emergency.
What is the Motherland's sword made of?
The sword was originally made of stainless steel with titanium lining, but due to the strong windage it was replaced with an aluminum alloy structure that reacts less to the wind.
How much concrete did it take to build?
About 5,500 cubic meters of concrete and more than 6,000 tons of metal were used for the construction of the monument. This is a colossal amount of material for the mid-20th century.
Who posed for the sculpture?
There was no specific model. Vuchetich created a collective image, although there is a version that the facial features were partially copied from the tractor factory worker Valentina Izotova, but this is not documented.