Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, Nizhny Novgorod

Admire Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, commemorating Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and the merchant Kuzma Minin for leading an army of Russian volunteers to defend Moscow against Polish invasion during the Time of Troubles in 1612. The bronze statue, erected in 1818, was designed by architect Ivan Martos, and is widely recognized as the nation's first monumental sculpture. Walk around the base to see detailed depictions of the defense. The bottom portion depicts townspeople bringing their sons to be armed as part of the volunteer army, referring to the fact that Minin forced the city to provide funds and men for the army by holding the women of the town hostage. Another part of the base shows Polish soldiers fleeing from the city center, pursued by Russian troops. After the 1917 revolution, the Communist authorities declared that the monument, positioned in the center of Red Square, was interfering with Stalin's plans for mass military parades, and moved it to its current location. Monument to Minin and Pozharsky is just one of the many highlights you can arrange to see using our , online itinerary creator Edition.