Tambov is the birthplace of outstanding people who became famous throughout the country. They fought on the fields of the Great Patriotic War, promoted science, were engaged in socially important projects. Modern residents of the city remember the pages of their history, therefore, nominal monuments continue to appear in the 21st century.
The streets of the city have become a real creative workshop for eminent sculptors and architects. There are a lot of works by Alexander Rukavishnikov, who have not lost their relevance for several decades. There are modern art objects and classical monuments next door. For example, "The Eternal Student" and "Tambov Wolf". The city has several business cards, and each one talks about its peculiarities in its own unrivaled style.
Historical and modern monuments of Tambov
List of interesting monuments and sculptures of the city.
Monument to Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya
Installed on Sovetskaya Street in 1947. Matey Manizer was commissioned to create the monument. He made a full-length sculpture of a young Red Army woman and placed it on a high pedestal with a bas-relief. Kosmodemyanskaya was taken prisoner in 1941 and then executed by hanging. Her speech, delivered before her death, became legendary. Zoya is the first woman to receive the title of Hero of the USSR, albeit posthumously.
"Eternal Glory"
The monument was opened on Oktyabrskaya, now Sobornaya, square in 1970, at the same time the Eternal Flame was lit. The sculptors are Konstantin Malafeev and Sergey Lebedev. The central part of the monument is a bronze five-pointed star - the base for the fire. A reinforced concrete ring is held on the columns, giving the memorial a solemn and monumental look. There are bas-reliefs on its inner side. Nearby is an alley of hero cities.
"Tambov man"
The monument was erected in 2008 in the Sochi park. On this territory there was a camp where in the 20s of the last century the participants of the "Antonov uprising" were kept. A three-meter man leans on a plow and stands on a piece of his own land. Weapons and slogans under his bare feet. The monument shows that the ordinary man in the street is behind traditions and above politics. The sculptor is Viktor Ostrikov, the architect is Alexander Filatov.
Monument to S.V. Rachmaninov
Another work of sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov has been decorating Tambov since 2006. The idea to create a monument to the composer originated from his grand-nephew. He has been coordinating the details with the authorities and the authors of the project for more than 10 years. A monument was erected on the street of the same name. The choice of the city is not accidental: Rachmaninoff's grandfather was born here, also a musician who gave concerts in the central part of Russia.
Monument to V.I.Vernadsky
It has been located at the intersection of Sovetskaya Street and Entuziastov Boulevard since 2014. Alexander Rukavishnikov was chosen as the sculptor. He portrayed a natural scientist in a mantle, an academic cap and with a sphere resembling a globe in his hands. The untied shoelaces of Vernadsky are a funny touch and the author's liberty. The height of the monument is 15 meters, including the pedestal, it is cast from bronze. Although the scientist was not born in Tambov, many things connected him with the city.
Monument to V. Lenin
The square on which the monument stands was founded only at the beginning of the last century. She did not bore the name of Karl Marx for long. A bust of Lenin, destroyed by the Cossacks, stood here for about a year. A new monument to the leader of the world proletariat, now full-length, appeared on the square in 1938. It stood unchanged until the 60s, and after that a "replacement" appeared - another version of the Lenin monument, relevant to this day.
"Tambov treasury"
The name of the monument and its heroine is derived from the work of Mikhail Lermontov. The treasurer was installed in 2016 on Kommunalnaya street. The public accepted the idea of immortalizing such a controversial character ambiguously. In addition, the matter is in the details, for example, the outstanding bust of the monument was considered vulgar. Moreover, one model posed for the sculpture as a whole, and the breasts were made with the other.
Monument to V. Agapkin and I. A. Shatrov
The composition glorifies military musicians. Shatrov wrote the legendary waltz "On the Hills of Manchuria", and Agapkin is the author of the even more replicated and recognizable "Farewell of a Slav." The opening of the monument took place in 2015. Architect - Vadim Frolov, sculptor - Alexander Mironov. The height of the monument is about 5.5 meters. The place of installation is the central part of the city: both musicians lived nearby.
Monument to the Winner Veteran
One of the most touching monuments of the city appeared in Victory Park in 2010. An elderly veteran with several orders on his jacket sits on the bench. On his knees is a granddaughter to whom he talks about the war and the Great Victory. There is a place on the bench nearby, so photo sessions are not uncommon here. The authors of the composition are Viktor Kulaev and Valery Paramonov. The prototype for the monument was a real front-line soldier Ivan Stepanovich Odarchenko.
Monument to Academician A. N. Kolmogorov
The occasion for the opening of the monument was the 100th anniversary of Derzhavin University. The sculpture of Andrei Kolmogorov, an academician and famous mathematician, was placed in 2018 on the campus next to one of the educational buildings. The author of the attraction is Dmitry Salychev. Andrey Nikolaevich laid the foundations for many long-term projects that continue to develop to this day.
Monument to V.M.Khalilov
The renowned conductor, who died in a plane crash, was honored with a monument in 2018 - two years after his death. He is depicted in full growth with a wand in his hands. The total height of the monument together with the pedestal is about 6 meters. The author of the project is sculptor Alexander Mironov. Khalilov directed the Alexandrov Songs and Dances ensemble. He crashed on a military plane while on a business trip to Syria.
"Grieving mother"
The monument was erected at the Vozdvizhenskoye cemetery, where a military burial is located. The sculptors of the project are Konstantin Malofeev and Sergey Lebedev. The figure of a grieving woman is surrounded by a wall and obelisks with the names of the victims. Here are listed not only those who were killed at the front, but also those who died from wounds in hospitals and in the post-war years already at home. There are few details in the appearance of the monument, but it is full of meaning.
"Tambov collective farmer"
Tourists do not immediately associate the name of the memorial with its appearance. A T-34 tank appears before the guests of the city, which can be misleading. In fact, the monument is dedicated to local residents who raised money for the needs of the front. Thanks to their efforts, several divisions were provided with everything necessary, and new aircraft and tanks regularly entered the army. It was on this T-34 that the Hero of the USSR Filipp Gokov fought.
Monument to S. Sergeev-Tsensky
It was originally planned to install a bust of the writer near the Tambov hotel. But a massive building could suppress a small monument with its dimensions, then they chose a more successful place: the bank of the Tsna River. In honor of her, the writer even took an addition to his surname. The project of the monument belongs to the spouses-sculptors Tatiana Veltsen and Sergei Lebedev. The opening took place in 1975.
Monument to G.R.Derzhavin
It was created in 1994 and is based on the street of the same name. One of the authors of the project is Konstantin Malofeev. The bust stands on a high columnar pedestal. Derzhavin's features are subtle and noticed to the smallest detail, which makes the face look alive. While in the city, the writer wrote several small works. A local university is named after him. There is a walking area near the monument.
"Eternal student"
There is a half-joking monument on Sovetskaya Street near one of the buildings of the Derzhavin University. The opening took place in 2009. The sculptor is Viktor Ostrikov. He created the project with donations from local undergraduate and graduate students.The bronze student sits on a bench, and a rucksack with a school book lies at his feet. The raised hand symbolizes whether the exam passed for five, or the readiness to answer.
"Tambov wolf"
One of two monuments in Tambov dedicated to this character. It opened in 2012 near a hotel called "Hotel". The gilded wolf lies sedately on a dais - a pedestal trimmed with large stones. The authorship belongs to Vadim Shityakov - the chairman of the local branch of the "Support of Russia". The monument is intended to create a positive image of the Tambov wolf - the symbol of the city.
Monument to E. Baratynsky
Installed in 2011 in Michurinsky square. Evgeny Abramovich was born in the Tambov province, and his work is associated with his native land. The monument was erected not far from the place where in the past was the estate of his brother. Baratynsky has stayed here several times. The bust in honor of the poet is located on a small platform, to which steps lead from all sides. Konstantin Malofeev was chosen as the sculptor.
Monument to St. Luke
In the world, the priest's name was Valentin Feliksovich Voino-Yasenetsky. He has a bright and unusual destiny. Before dignity, Luke made a name in medicine. He was religious, and, having received an offer to put on a cassock, he gladly accepted it. At the same time, he did not stop practicing: he received patients at home on weekdays. A monument in his honor appeared in 1994 in the courtyard of the hospital named after St. Luke.
Fighter MiG-21PFS
This aircraft model broke a lot of records. For example, the MiG-21 has become the most common of the supersonic. In Tambov, one of the models in the series was turned into a monument in 1985. The attraction is located in Victory Park, and the composition looks spectacular. The MiG-21 was positioned at a slight slope, almost vertically. Together with the appearance of the pedestal, the illusion of a rapid take-off is obtained.
Monument to I. Stalin
Communist organizations helped South Ossetia with humanitarian supplies after the conflict between the unrecognized republic and Georgia. In gratitude, they presented the communists with a bust of Stalin. It is made of plaster, covered with gilding and stands on a one and a half meters pedestal. The authorities allowed to erect a monument in a closed area along Michurinskaya Street. Access to the attraction is limited to the opening hours of the shopping center.
Monument to M. Yu. Lermontov
Installed in 1941, when the war had already begun. The sculptor Marina Ryndzyunskaya sharpened the poet's features and enlarged his eyes to make his face more expressive. The idea to perpetuate the memory of Lermontov arose at the beginning of the century, but the execution was delayed. Mikhail Yurievich reliably described the cities in the "Tambov Treasury", passed through it more than once, and his friends from the boarding house also lived here.
Monument to V.S.Petrov
The opening took place in 1953 in the park of the same name. The author of the bust is Lev Kerbel. Vasily Petrov was seriously wounded several times during the Great Patriotic War, lost both arms, but each time he returned to the front. For his service he was awarded the title of twice Hero of the USSR. In addition, by personal order of Stalin, he was assigned to the Red Army for life, so that no one could write off Petrov against his will.
Monument to St. Pitirim of Tambov
Placed on Cathedral Square right in front of the Transfiguration Cathedral in 2014. The composition is not completed, as it is planned to surround Pitirim with four more significant Orthodox figures. It is assumed that over time, monuments will appear here: the Monk Martha of Tambov, Metropolitan Kirill, the Monk Seraphim of Sarov and Saint Theophan the Recluse.
Monument to Saints Peter and Fevronia
The opening took place in 2012 near the Lovers' Bridge on Naberezhnaya Street. Spouses Pyotr and Fevronia are a symbol of family fidelity, therefore, monuments are erected to them in many cities. The figures of the couple are made of bronze, and the pedestal is made of granite. The total height of the attraction is 2.3 meters. The newlyweds come to the monument for photo shoots and for good luck: it is believed that Peter and Fevronia are able to bless for a long marriage.
"To victims of nuclear disasters"
The monument appeared in 2011 on the city embankment within the Sochi park. The authors of the project wanted to perpetuate the memory of two and a half thousand fellow countrymen who participated in the elimination of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident. The sculptors have depicted two parallel slabs, and between them a core of red marble. This is a symbol of the "torn" world and the fact that the energy of the atom is destructive and not always under the control of people.
"To the soldiers of law and order"
It has been located on Pervomaiskaya Square in Tambov since 1999. Due to its appearance and manufacturing at the Polimermash plant, the composition is commonly referred to as a “tire monument”. The ring shape is a symbol of life. The gap in the upper part is a violent interruption of earthly existence. The pigeons bursting out of the open circle are the same policemen who died while on duty.
Monument to the feat of physicians in the Second World War
Installed on the territory of the 2nd city hospital in 1985. The war became a test not only for the soldiers, but for the entire Soviet medicine. Doctors and nurses performed feats invisible to many every day. The monument is a dedication to people who were forced to change their white robes for a marching uniform or performed operations in incredible conditions. The composition depicts a medic helping a wounded soldier.
Monument to Admiral F.F.Ushakov
Located in the Avangard square since 2015. The authors of the project are architect Mikhail Korsi and sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov. In addition to the high-relief portrait of Ushakov, the monument contains many historical and semantic details. A battle with the Turks is depicted, seagulls symbolizing the dead sailors, a quote from the admiral and an anchor with a coat of arms. A special touch is a small nucleus that supposedly got into the monument and slightly damaged it.
Triumphal staircase to the heroes of the war of 1812
The grand opening of the staircase and the accompanying two bas-reliefs took place in 2012. However, the landmark was constantly being destroyed and was closed for use. After several reconstructions, the steps are again walkable. They are finished with granite and marble. And the bas-reliefs are made of bronze and depict scenes from the everyday life of the war in 1812.