Monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square: history and symbols

The monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square in Moscow is the first sculptural monument erected in the Russian Empire, which symbolizes the unity and courage of the people in the face of foreign invaders. The monument by sculptor Ivan Martos was unveiled on February 20, 1818 (according to the new style — March 4, 1818) in the presence of Emperor Alexander I and became the embodiment of the patriotic sentiments of the era. On the pedestal it says: "To Citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky, grateful Russia. The summer of 1818". All the details are in the Izvestia article.

The history of the monument

The idea of creating a monument to the heroes of 1612 originated in 1803 among members of the Free Society of Lovers of Literature, Sciences and Arts, who proposed to perpetuate the feat of national heroes. The competition for the project was won by Ivan Petrovich Martos, a Russian sculptor and academician who worked in the classical style. Since 1804, work began on the creation of the monument, which lasted for more than ten years.

Funds for the monument were collected by public subscription, and by 1811 it was possible to raise more than 130 thousand rubles, an impressive amount for that time. First, Martos made a small model of the monument, then a large one, and only after that the casting of the bronze sculpture began. In 1816, the composition was cast in bronze in nine minutes under the supervision of master Vasily Ekimov, and small details — items of Pozharsky's equipment — were cast separately. The pedestal was made by the famous stonemason Samson Sukhanov from three monolithic pieces of granite quarried in Vyborg province.

Initially, the monument was supposed to be installed in Nizhny Novgorod, but Martos insisted that the monument decorate the capital, since the feat of the heroes was of national importance. In May 1817, the sculpture group and the pedestal set off from St. Petersburg to Moscow via the Mariinsky Water system, and everywhere they were greeted with genuine interest. On February 20, 1818, the monument was unveiled in the presence of the Emperor and members of the royal family.

The symbolism of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky: what do the details of the composition mean?

The sculptural composition with a height of more than 8 m is made in the classical style with a national flavor and carries a deep idea. Minin has the first role assigned to him: with his outstretched hand he calls on the people to fight the Polish invaders, and with his other hand he hands the sword to Pozharsky to lead the militia. Minin is dressed in a chiton with a Russian pattern, resembling a peasant shirt, with ports on his legs.

Pozharsky is depicted sitting and leaning on a shield with the image of the Savior Not Made with Hands, which symbolizes protection under the patronage of higher powers. This pose shows that the prince has not yet recovered from the wounds he received in battle, but is ready to follow the call of the Nizhny Novgorod headman. The sword is the central link in the composition, embodying the unity of the people in the struggle against the invaders. Behind the figures is a helmet, which is visible only from the back of the monument.

Two bas-reliefs are placed on the pedestal, telling about the feat of Nizhny Novgorod residents. One shows residents of Nizhny Novgorod who brought donations to raise the national militia, among them you can see the sons of the sculptor Martos, whom he symbolically sends to the militia. In fact, they did not participate in the battle with the Poles: the first fought the French in 1812, and the second died in France in 1813. Another bas-relief depicts the feat of Pozharsky himself, who leads the militia.

The fate of the monument in the 20th century: the transfer and restoration of the monument

Initially, the monument was erected in the center of Red Square, opposite the Upper Shopping Malls (later renamed GUM). In 1931, due to the reconstruction of Red Square and the holding of military equipment parades, the monument was moved to St. Basil's Cathedral, where it remains to this day. When moving to a new location, an underground base was erected under the monument. In 2016, the monument was transferred to the State Historical Museum.

In 2021-2022, the first comprehensive restoration of the monument in two centuries was carried out at a cost of about 50 million rubles. Architect Alexey Zhdanov supervised the work, which was carried out in a specially constructed workshop directly above the monument. The corroded technological frame was removed from the figures of Minin and Pozharsky: 172 kg of molding mixture was extracted from the figure of Minin, 282 kg from the figure of Pozharsky.

Specialists eliminated defects in the shell of the sculptural composition and bas-reliefs, restored the helmet's earpiece, replaced the linings at the point of support of the sculptural group on the pedestal, performed a complex of patina works and restored the pedestal itself. When restoring the gilding of the letters of the inscription, it was discovered that the monument was originally planned to open at the end of 1817 — experts found holes for metal plates with the numbers 1817, but the visit of Emperor Alexander I to Moscow did not take place, and the grand opening was postponed to February 20, 1818.

Monuments to Minin and Pozharsky in other Russian cities

In 2005, on National Unity Day in Nizhny Novgorod, a monument to Minin and Pozharsky was unveiled on National Unity Square, a scaled—down copy of the Moscow monument. The monument was erected under the walls of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, near the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist, from the porch of which, according to historians, in 1611 Kuzma Minin called on Nizhny Novgorod residents to assemble and equip the national militia. The Nizhny Novgorod monument is made of bronze in the classical style.

The inscription "To Citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky" has been preserved on the Nizhny Novgorod monument, but without specifying the year of installation. The opening of the monument became a symbolic event for the city, where the people's militia originated, which liberated Moscow from the invaders. The monument is located in the city center and is one of the main attractions of Nizhny Novgorod.

In addition, various monuments and plaques dedicated to Minin and Pozharsky have been installed in many Russian cities associated with the history of the people's militia of 1612. These monuments remind of Russia's heroic past and the feat of national heroes who saved the country during one of the most difficult periods of its history.

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