Moscow’s Fallen Monument Park: Soviet Statue Graveyard
Moscow’s Fallen Monument Park: Soviet Statue Graveyard
Located on the Krymskaya Naberezhnaya embankment is a Fallen Monument park unlike any other in Moscow. The park is filled with statues and monuments left behind from the Soviet-era.
In 1991, due to anti-Soviet sentiments, many of the statues and monuments of Soviet idols that were scattered throughout the USSR were torn down. Instead of just being thrown away, they found a home in Moscow’s art district. The park is officially called “Fallen Monument Park”, and I can assure you that they did not get very creative with the name, as fallen monuments are exactly what you will find.
The park began as a dumping ground for fallen monuments in 1991, and eventually turned into an attraction. The statues were rectified and now have signs placed next to them describing the statue and where it used to stand. Today the park has over 700 sculptures on display. There are many different important figures on display, such as Lenin, Stalin, and Marx, as well as artistic creations from the same era.
Although I am a big fan of socialist realism, I’m sure that others would be happy to know that there are other sculptures on display as well. There are many modern art pieces that are permanent additions to the collection, and in the summer the park houses exhibitions. It is also the best place in the city to view the nearly 100 meter tall Peter the Great monument located. This statue is a must see as well, as it is absolutely massive, and really makes you wonder why such a large monument would be constructed tributing a man in the city that he hated.
Muzeon Park of Arts is where you can find the Fallen sculptures. My recommendation would be to visit this park on a clear, beautiful weather. There are flower boxes lining all of the paths, artsy playgrounds for children, plenty of grassy (or snowy) areas to relax in, and outdoor cafes to enjoy. Sunshine or snow, it’s an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon in Moscow.
This post was brought to you by Allison, currently studying Russian at Liden & Denz
