City of Penza, a monument to the First Settler (sculpture composition "The First Settler"): address, authors, description

Almost every modern populationThe item has characters that make it unique. Penza is no exception. Monument to the First Settler is a highlight of the city, built several decades ago. Of course, this monument has its own history, which is definitely worth getting acquainted with.

What does the monument stand for?

Of course, this is not the most valuablefrom a historical point of view, a building that Penza can be proud of. The monument to the first settler was created only in 1980. His solemn opening was timed to coincide with the celebration of the 600th anniversary of the victory that the state won in the famous Kulikovo battle.

Why the construction in just a few yearshas become one of the main symbols of the city? The creators decided to devote the original monument to the foundation of Penza, to make it a kind of reminder of the first inhabitants of this settlement. The monument extols peasant labor, on which the welfare of the city and the country as a whole depended. He also tells about the courage of the soldiers who defended the south-eastern borders of the state several centuries ago from aggressive nomads.

Sculptural composition "First settler": description

Bronze - the material from which it was castsculpture. It includes the figure of a man and his horse. Valentin Grigorievich Kozenyuk, the author of the original project, decided that the man will act in two roles at once. At the same time he is a warrior and a peasant. The belligerence of the figure is emphasized by a sharp spear, which is clamped in the hand. The plow tells about the commitment to work.

Two essences represent the horse,belonging to a peasant warrior. Obviously, a horse can be used not only for military purposes, but also to plow the field with it. About when Penza was founded, it is easy to find out by reading the inscription on the granite foundation of the structure. It happened in the distant 1663 year.

Against the monument you can see the remainsAn ancient earth wall of the fortress, which was used for defensive purposes. This shaft is the same age as the settlement. City authorities have taken care of the partial reconstruction of the serf stockade. Also there you can see a wooden belfry with a cast iron mortar. At its foot is a memorial plaque.

The emergence of ideas

If it were not Georg Myasnikov, an employee of Penzathe regional committee of the CPSU, could never have acquired this magnificent monument of Penza. The monument to the First Settler was conceived by this man as a tribute to the brave founders and first inhabitants of the settlement. Myasnikov was known for his work for the benefit of his beloved city; he also has other merits that are not related to the construction.

The monument was installed in 1980, howeverThe work connected with its creation began at the end of 1977. The above-mentioned sculptor Kozenyuk and architect Komarov worked on the project. Butcher dreamed to mark the solemn opening of the building on the anniversary of the Kulikovo battle. When on December 30, 1979 Kozenyuk informed him that the monument was almost finished, Myasnikov realized that his wish would come true.

It is interesting that originally the project was conceivedValentin Kozenyuk as a sculptural group "Volga and Mikula." However, after its successful approval by the authorities of the city, Kozenyuk and Myasnikov jointly found a more interesting solution. They decided to remove the "Lion-Volga", leaving the soldier armed with a plow and a spear of a tiller and adding a horse.

Select location

For a long time, Valentin Kozenyuk did notcould decide where the sculptural composition "First settler" will be installed. At first the attention of the sculptor was attracted by the place near the cafe "Zaseka", which seemed to him suitable. The restaurant is located on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by a forest. However, the grandiosity of the structure, which began to appear already in the process of its creation, forced Myasnikov to convince Kozenyuk. A member of the Penza regional committee of the CPSU decided that such a majestic sculptural group did not have a place on the outskirts of the city, that it would merge with a cafe, would only be its addition.

After a long debate, the creators of the monumentpaid close attention to the historical part of the settlement, which nowadays simultaneously serves as its center. The city of Penza is famous throughout the country for historical buildings, but none of them can compete with the remnants of the ramparts in terms of antiquity. The preserved part of the wall, erected as far back as the 17th century, has the appearance of a relief elevation, climbing onto which you can see the whole city as in the palm of your hand. It was hardly possible to come up with a better place to install a majestic monument dedicated to the first inhabitants of Penza.

"Wrong" monument

As you know, in the days of the SovietThe Union was supposed to erect in the cities monuments dedicated to the October Revolution, glorifying its figures. Also popular were memorials erected in honor of the soldiers who died during WWII. This unspoken rule was not bypassed by the party and such a settlement as Penza. The monument to the First Settler, created in this city, could be negatively met by the government.

Kozenyuk and Myasnikov rightly fearedpersecution by the authorities for Russophilia, but still did not abandon their original idea. As a result, everything ended well, the monument did not encounter a sharply negative attitude.

Violation of the ban of the authorities

There was another obvious obstacle - SummerThe Olympic Games, which were to be held in 1980 in the capital. The government imposed a ban on the installation of new memorials in the regions. This was considered an unjustifiable expenditure of financial resources, which it was planned to devote entirely to preparing for the organization of grandiose games.

The government directive was violated, which could theoretically cost Myasnikov not only his office, but also party membership. However, nothing happened.

Interesting Facts

The postmaster's house, next to the monument,could be demolished during the construction of the site allocated for the construction; Penza could have lost this building, as Myasnikov seriously considered this option for some time. However, as a result, he abandoned this idea.

Interestingly, only three years later, by a miracleThe surviving house was turned into a museum, called the Museum of One Painting. A little later the building was renamed in honor of Myasnikov himself, and still works.

It is also curious how the popular monument is called among the people. "A man with a horse" - this nickname was given to the monument by the inhabitants of Penza.

Location

As guests of the city find a large-scale construction,which is famous for Mr. Penza (monument to the First Settler)? Kirov Street is the place where a majestic monument is erected. Behind the monument you can see the outlines of the Transfiguration Church. Next to it is an observation deck, where guests and residents of the village come to admire the city's beauty. The site is fenced with a fence made of cast iron, on which the coat of arms of Penza is carved.

Finally, opposite the monument you can see the remainsa defensive shaft that was erected in the 17th century, and a cannon. And, of course, nearby is the Museum of one painting, ready to receive all comers.