Monument to Francis Skorina in Polotsk

The world’s first monument to Francis Skaryna was erected in 1974 in Polotsk. The sculpture perfectly harmonizes with the nearest buildings and is the end of Gogol Street, which smoothly runs from the railway station to the historical center of the city.

The creators of the monument were A. Zaspitsky, A. Glebov, I. Glebov.

The height of the bronze figure is 5.5 meters, and the sculpture with a pedestal is twelve meters. Skaryna was born in 1490 in Polotsk, where he received primary education and learned Latin. After graduation, Francis published the first Bible in his own language in Prague, and, after moving to Vilna, founded and equipped the first book publishing studio located in Eastern Europe.

The activities of F. Skaryna left a great mark in history, and Francis’ books were included in the list of educational East Slavic literature. Skaryna monuments are installed all over the world, but it is the sculpture in Polotsk that is considered the most reliable and famous.