Mamaev Kurgan
Mamaev Kurgan is the largest complex in the world dedicated to the Great Patriotic War. The hill is located in the center of Volgograd, on the right bank of the Volga River. On Mamaev Kurgan there is a monument-ensemble “To the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad”. Its location is not coincidental – during the war the fiercest battles were fought here. Whoever occupied the mound could control almost the entire city.
Video: Mamaev Kurgan
Contents- Highlights
- The past of the hill
- In memory of the feat
- From the foot to the top
- “Motherland Calls!”
- Development of Mamaev Kurgan
- The Russian Wonder of the World
- A Visit to Mamaev Kurgan
Highlights
The mound “guards” the neighborhood for many years. There are two versions of the origin of the name. According to the first, a long time ago there were sentries on the hill. The outpost was created by the Golden Horde’s Temnik Mamai. There is an opinion that he was buried here in a tomb, dressed in gold armor. But the tomb was not found. Some historians connect the name with the word “Bugor”, because the Volga Tatars pronounce it as “Mamai.”
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In memory of the feat
Until 1959, the mighty hill remained mangled. But the idea of creating a complex in Stalingrad was already mature – it emerged during the war. A competition for the best project was launched. There were no suggestions, for example, to preserve the devastated Stalingrad, which would become a large-scale open-air monument. All the same, they stopped at the erection of a memorial complex on Mamaev Kurgan. The author was determined by Stalin – he considered the best Evgeny Vuchetich.
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From the foot to the top
If you enter from the front entrance, the memorial unfolds like a movie. Climbing from the foot of Mamaev Kurgan to the top, guests cover 1.5 kilometers. Levels change, new components of the ensemble appear before the eyes. At the foot of the complex is the figure “Memory of Generations”. It symbolizes a continuous flow of people who remember the heroes. Bowing their heads, they carry flowers. Overcoming the steps of a ten-meter staircase, tourists get to the Alley of Poplars.
.Along the artificial embankment, the wind plays with the leaves of trees. Saplings were planted in the 70’s in memory of the heroes. Trains pass under this peculiar bridge. Nearby is a memorial park. An alley of trees (more than 200 meters) directs to the next object.
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The square “Standing to the Death” is decorated with a rounded pool. In the middle is a massive monument to a brave fighter. Connoisseurs of history will recognize in him Marshal Vasily Chuikov. He participated in the battle for Stalingrad, acted as the main consultant in the construction of the complex. His remains are also buried on the territory of Mamaev Kurgan. From the square the path leads through the ruin walls.
. Two walls are located at an angle, converging in perspective. They are made in the form of ruins. Here the spirit of the winter battles of Stalingrad is best felt. The 46-meter-long walls are covered with figurative compositions and documentary inscriptions. The background is wartime songs, Levitan’s phrases. This recreates the atmosphere of the past time..
The road leads to the “Square of Heroes.” This is the second most important object on Mamaev Kurgan after the monument “Motherland”. “The heart” of the square is a rectangular water basin framed by granite and symbolizing the Volga River. Along it there are sculptures reminding about the heroic behavior of people in the war. Here is a young nurse saving a wounded man. Nearby, a soldier supports a dying commander, who continues to lead the battle from the last strength. The square is bounded by a wall 112 meters long and 8 meters high, which resembles an unfurled banner. On it are carved images of victorious soldiers. The following words are engraved in large letters along the entire wall: “The iron wind was beating in their faces, but they were still advancing, and again the feeling of superstitious fear embraced the enemy: were people going into the attack, were they mortal?”. The entrance to the Hall of Military Glory is made here.
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There is nothing pompous in the room – the atmosphere is solemn and sad. In the center is a marble figure in the form of a huge hand with a torch. The space is illuminated by the eternal flame. Mourning banners along the walls list the names of people who gave their lives in the defense of Stalingrad. Schumann’s compositions are played here, a guard of honor is constantly standing. Soldiers go to the post from the very morning and keep watch until 7-8 pm. The changing of the guard takes place at 55 minutes of every hour.
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The sculpture is familiar to the whole world – it is a complex engineering structure. When creating the monument for the first time used reinforced concrete. Inside the figure is hollow, with ladders and exits to the surface – this allows for technical work. When creating the monument, 5.5 thousand tons of concrete and 2.4 thousand tons of metal structures were used. Inside there are hundreds of steel ropes holding the massive monument. The sword is also made of steel, with holes to reduce wind pressure. It weighs 14 tons and is 29 meters long.
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Development of Mamaev Kurgan
The hill has changed since its opening. By the 50th anniversary of the Victory, a memorial cemetery was opened where the remains of soldiers were reburied. They are still being found by search parties. In 2005 the All Saints Church was opened on the territory. In the future they plan to open an exhibition hall, telling about the battle on Mamaev Kurgan. Exhibits have accumulated a lot. They are also going to ennoble the spring of life – few tourists know about this place.
.Russian Wonder of the World
Mamaev Kurgan impresses every visitor. As guests say, “up to goosebumps”. Not without reason the monument-ensemble was named one of the Seven Wonders of Russia. The most significant places were chosen in 2008. The results of the contest were summarized by popular vote.
.This wonder of the world keeps a message to posterity. Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad laid the capsule on the Mamaev Kurgan more than 40 years ago. The text of the veterans’ address to the future generation will not be read for a long time – on May 9, 2045. But even today the flow of people does not dry up – guests walk from the foot of the mound to its top 200 steps of granite – that’s how long the Battle of Stalingrad was.
.Visit to the Mamaev Kurgan
The complex is not difficult to find – “Motherland” is visible from almost anywhere in the city. It is better to go up from the avenue – it was conceived in the concept. Then you will be able to feel the full force of the complex. It is possible to drive up to the top of Mamaev Kurgan. You can leave your vehicle at the spacious free parking lot. To go further on foot is not far at all. You can approach the top from the Second Longitudinal Highway.
.Tourists who have had time to visit Mamaev Kurgan, recommend visiting here twice: on a sunny day and late in the evening. The perception will be different. The monument-ensemble is worthy of devoting a whole day to it: you will be able to walk leisurely along all its paths and look at Volgograd from the top. If you want to keep the impression of your visit for many years, you can buy a souvenir as a keepsake. Small shops are located right on the Mamaev Kurgan.
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