Monument to Catherine II in Simferopol: the revival of the legendary sculptural composition

On August 19, 2016 a restored monument to Catherine II was opened in Simferopol. The new sculptural composition as accurately as possible repeats the lost monument of 1890. According to the idea of the authors of the project, this monument is not only a dedication to the empress, but also a symbol of the reunification of the Crimea with Russia.

Monument of 1890

In 1882, it was decided to install a monument to Catherine II in Simferopol. The great empress radically changed the fate of the peninsula in the 18th century, adding it to the Russian Empire. According to many modern historians, it was thanks to the activities of Catherine II that Crimea, in a minimal period of time, turned from the largest slave market into a peaceful oasis of tranquility, populated by representatives of various ethnic groups. The Imperial Academy of Arts held a competition for projects of the future monument. Which monument to Catherine II in Simferopol to establish, personally chose the Emperor Alexander III. Most of all he liked the work that took the second place, which was authored by Professor NA Laveretsky. The project was approved, the solemn laying of the future monument was held on April 8, 1883. On the same day, the All-Russian fundraising for the production of the monument was opened.

Monument to Catherine II (Simferopol) of 1890: description

The sculptural composition was inaugurated on October 18, 1890. The sculpture of the Empress made of bronze rose proudly on a granite pedestal. In one hand Catherine II held a symbol of power - a scepter, the second pointed to the surrounding land. At the feet of the empress on a low pedestal were installed the figures of the general-anshef V.M. Dolgorukov-Crimean and Prince GA Potemkin. Sculptural composition was supplemented on the sides of the pedestal of Catherine by the busts of Ya. I. Bulgakov and A. V. Suvorov.

Monument to Catherine II in Simferopol had an ornate pedestal. In addition to the inscriptions-dedications on the front side of the back were high relief, depicting the meeting of Catherine with the peoples of the Crimean peninsula in 1787, and a separate tablet with the emblem of the Russian Empire. Sculptural composition was the center of the city park, around it was landscaped area with flower beds.

The main sculptures of the Simferopol park of culture and rest

For the first time the majestic monument suffered during the 1917 revolution. The unknown broke off the scepter, inflicted damage on the figure of the empress and broke off the crown from the emblem of the Russian Empire. In 1919, the Provisional Workers 'and Peasants' Government overthrew the monument from the pedestal. After a while, the sculpture was restored and returned to its rightful place. However, already in 1921 a mock-up of the monument "In honor of the liberation of the Crimea from the White Guards" was installed on the pedestal in the center of the city park. This monument was a figure of a worker with a bare torso, knocking chains off the globe.

In 1940, the model, which did not become a full-fledged monument, was removed together with the pedestal. In its place was erected a monument to Lenin. The sculpture was changed several times, by the beginning of the 80s of the last century it was removed for the construction of a fountain. The water cascade worked for several years. After the final release of the fountain, discussions began about the restoration of the monument to Catherine II. The stone was laid in its foundation in 2007. However, a number of public organizations expressed a radical discontent with this decision.

Return of the Empress

The proposal to revive the monument to Catherine II in Simferopol was again voiced by the organization "Russian Unity" immediately after the reunification of the Crimea with Russia. Just like a hundred years ago, money was collected for the creation and installation of a sculptural composition by the whole world. In total, the Russians donated about 47 million rubles for the implementation of this project. The restoration of the monument was done by sculptors Igor Yavorsky and Konstantin Kubyshkin. The model of the sculptural composition was prepared according to the preserved photographs, drawings and descriptions by the artists Dmitry Startsev and Alexander Chekunov. The opening of the monument to Catherine II in Simferopol was held on August 19, 2016. In addition to the historical inscriptions on the monument appeared modern lines: "In honor of the reunification of the Crimea with Russia."