Monument to Mikhail Kutuzov

The monument to the outstanding Russian commander Mikhail Kutuzov is one of the attractions of Smolensk. The authors of the project of the monument were the famous Soviet sculptor G.I. Motovilov and architect L.M. Polyakov. The creative team worked on the creation of the monument for several years, starting from the late 1940s. In the process of working on the monument, the sculptor drew inspiration from the immortal novel War and Peace and the image of the field marshal presented in it.

The official opening of the monument took place on June 20, 1954. The monument is a bronze-cast statue of the commander in full height, with a sword in the lowered right hand. The pedestal is made of pink granite. The head is not covered, the eyes are directed forward - Kutuzov is represented in the position of the winner, drunk with glory, triumphant victory. Many note a strong similarity with the portraits of artists who painted Kutuzov from life. On the front side of the pedestal is carved the inscription: "To the great Russian commander Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov-Smolensky".

The monument to Kutuzov continues the whole gallery of Smolensk monuments dedicated to the heroes and events of the Patriotic War of 1812, and is a tribute to the memory of that great victory.