In 1566 Ivan the Terrible founded a fortress on the Oka River to defend the southern borders. Almost immediately, Oryol became a military fortress city, where the Cossacks settled in 1577. Today, thanks to the rich past of the city, historical tourism is developing in Oryol. Many monuments and memorial complexes are dedicated to significant events in the history of the city.
The fate of many talented and creative people is associated with the Eagle. Poets, writers, politicians were born here or have lived here for a long time. The stories of their lives are captured in a large number of monuments popular with tourists. And, of course, many heroes of the Great Patriotic War were born in Oryol. Their personal and collective exploits have been immortalized in memorials throughout the city.
Historical and modern monuments of Eagle
List, photo with names and descriptions of popular monuments of the city.
Stele "400 years to the Eagle"
The 27-meter-high monument was erected in 1966 to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the city. At the confluence of the Oka and Orlik there is an obelisk with the coat of arms of the Eagle. The most important events in the history of the city are carved on one side of the obelisk. A time capsule was buried in the ground next to the monument in 1966 at the opening ceremony of the monument with the appeal of the inhabitants of Oryol to their descendants.
"Eagle - City of Military Glory"
In 2007, Oryol became one of the first cities to be awarded the title of the City of Military Glory. In 2010, in honor of the 65th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, a memorial monument was opened. The stele is 10 meters high and is made of red granite. On one side there is a plate with a decree on conferring an honorary title on the city, and on the other - the coat of arms of the Eagle.
Monument to Ivan the Terrible
After the 450th anniversary of Eagle, a monument to the founder of the city was erected on the Oka embankment. Under Ivan the Terrible, the Eagle was founded and fortified, becoming an important fortress on the southern borders of Russia. The monument is a bronze figure of a king riding a horse. He holds a sword in one hand, and an Orthodox cross in the other. The monument in Orel is the first in Russia dedicated to Ivan IV.
Monument to N. S. Leskov
The famous writer was born in Oryol. Here he spent his childhood and received an education. The monument to Leskov was opened in 1981, on the embankment of the Orlik River, 150 years after the writer's birthday. The monument is located next to the gymnasium where Leskov studied. On a stone pedestal there is a bronze figure of a writer sitting on a carved bench, pensively looking into the distance.
Sculptures of the heroes of the literary works of N. Leskov
Near the monument to Leskov there is a whole ensemble of sculptures. The bronze figures of the heroes of his stories and novels are installed on one and a half meter columns. There are characters from five works by Leskov: "Lefty", "Cathedrals", "The Enchanted Wanderer", "Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District" and "Dumb Artist". In each of the sculptures you can see the plot of the work and the characters of the heroes.
Monument to I. Turgenev
The section of the bank of the Oka River near the city park of recreation and culture, after the installation of a monument to the writer, was named by the inhabitants of Oryol "Turgenevsky bank". The bronze figure of a writer looking into the distance is set on a gray granite pedestal. On one side there is a signature with the name of the writer, and on the other - the years of Turgenev's life. Due to its location next to the recreation park, the monument is popular among the townspeople and tourists.
Monument to A.P. Ermolov
Ermolov began his military service in 1792. Already at the beginning of the 19th century, he received the rank of general from artillery and infantry. Despite the fact that Ermolov was born in Moscow, he belonged to a noble family from the Oryol province. A monument to him was erected in 2012, in honor of the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812. The height of the figure of the general, riding on a horse, is more than 5 meters.
"Oryol-Anniversary"
2016 marked the 450th anniversary of the founding of Orel. It was in honor of this event that a monument was erected. The bronze sculpture depicts an eagle sitting on a globe and spreading its wings wide. The monument is erected on the square next to the city station, so tourists who come to Oryol by train are the first to see this sculpture. As conceived by the sculptors, the monument is a symbol of the city's uniqueness and individuality.
"Eagle-Founder"
One of several monuments dedicated to the founding of the city was erected in 2016. In the center of the composition there is a bronze figure of an eagle with folded wings and holding in its claws a memorial plaque in the form of a letter of Ivan the Terrible. Next to it are figures of archers in robes and weapons of the 16th century. It was under Ivan IV that the streltsy detachments were formed. The height of the eagle, the main bronze figure, is about 5 meters.
“Dedicated to Russian travelers. Wheel of history "
The monument was opened as part of the tourist festival named after the traveler Miklouho-Maclay. It symbolizes the continuity of generations in the discovery of unexplored corners of the world and their development. There are three travelers on the world map, passing the symbols of travel and geographical discoveries to the child. They offer the boy a telescope, a wind rose and a folded map of Russia.
Monument to V.I.Lenin
The Oryol monument became the second in the Soviet Union dedicated to Vladimir Lenin. It was erected in 1920, but has not survived to this day, as it was destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. A new monument was erected in its place in 1949. In 1961 it was moved to the main town square. On a pedestal, decorated with bas-reliefs, stands the figure of Lenin with his right hand extended forward.
Monument to Soldiers-Internationalists
The memorial complex is located next to the Troitsky cemetery, where there are many burials of Soviet soldiers. In the center is the BMP-1, and next to it are the figures of internationalist soldiers. They personify the bloodiest military conflicts in the history of the USSR and the Russian Federation - the war in Afghanistan and both Chechen campaigns.
Monument to the pilots of the Great Patriotic War
The memorial was opened 30 years after the liberation of Eagle, in 1973. At the top of a metal stele, several meters high, there is a MIG-17 aircraft. In the year of opening, a military airfield was located here, and the monument can be attributed not only to the pilots of the Great Patriotic War, but also to all the pilots of the Eagle who guarded the peaceful sky of the Motherland.
Monument to A.A. Fet
The bust of the famous poet is installed next to the "House of Writers", in the center of Orel. The homeland of Afanasy Fet is the Mtsensk district of the Oryol province. Here he spent his childhood and youth. The poet's works are known throughout Russia. In many ways, it was the nature of the native land that played a decisive role in Fet's work. She gave him many artistic images, which were later reflected in the poet's poems.
"Vera. Hope. Love"
The monument is dedicated to Christian saints, Faith, Hope, Love and their mother, Sophia. It is located on a small artificial embankment. Under the rounded roof there is an icon with images of the great martyrs. At the top of the dome is a small statue of an eagle that raised its head and spread its wings. Weddings are often held near the monument.
Monument to N. N. Polikarpov
The famous aircraft designer and engineer was born in the Oryol province. He became one of the first Heroes of Socialist Labor in the Soviet Union. Under his leadership, several aircraft models were created, including the U-2, which became the most massively produced in the world. The monument to Polikarpov was opened in 1958. On a stone pedestal there is a figure of an aircraft designer with a model of an airplane in his hand.
Monument to the Heroes of the Civil War
During the Civil War, Denikin's army captured Oryol, but later the Bolshevik troops recaptured the city. In 1976, a monument was erected in memory of the soldiers who died on the fronts of the Civil War. The height of the monument is 16 meters. On the pedestal is the figure of a girl dressed in boots, a budenovka and an overcoat. Above her head, she raises a rifle, a kerchief, and a bouquet of flowers.
Monument to F.E.Dzerzhinsky
The fate of the founder of the Cheka, Felix Dzerzhinsky, is connected with the Oryol province. In 1913 he was sentenced to 3 years in hard labor and exiled to Oryol. Here he spent about a year instead of the prescribed three. The monument was erected in 1987. Nowadays, the regional FSB of the Russian Federation is located here. The bronze figure of Dzerzhinsky, sitting on a chair, with his legs crossed, stands on a pedestal of red granite.
Komsomol members of the Oryol region, who died during the Second World War
The monument was erected on the Komsomolskaya Eagle Square, on the site of the memorial stone. About 90 thousand Komsomol-natives of the city went to different fronts during the Great Patriotic War. Bronze sculptures are installed on a stone pedestal. A Soviet soldier raises the banner high over his head with one hand, and supports his wounded comrade with the other.
"Official and Entrepreneur"
The monument was erected in 2012, in honor of 20 years since the establishment of the corporation "GRINN", one of the largest companies in the region. The sculpture depicts a civil servant and businessman. They both rest their heads on the clock set between them. The watch reminds of the most important resource for both of them - time, and the need for coordinated action.
Monument to V. Kalinnikov
An outstanding composer, Vasily Kalinnikov, was born in the village of Voiny, not far from Orel. Here he spent his childhood and received his primary education at a theological seminary. The monument to the composer was erected in 2009. The semi-figure of Kalinin is located on a stone pedestal. Viburnum branches rise above it, and at the foot is the figure of a boy with a pipe.
Monument to L. Gurtiev
Major General Gurtyev took part in the operation to free Eagle from the German invaders. During it, the military leader died and was buried in the brotherly cemetery. Initially, it was here that a monument to the Major General was erected. In 1976, the monument was moved to a separate square, where it is still located. The full-length figure of Gurtiev is made of bronze and installed on a stone pedestal.
Monument to I. Bunin
The Bunin family arrived in Oryol when Ivan was only 3 years old. Here the future writer grew up and received his education. Here he also published his first book. The landscapes of the Oryol province left an imprint on the writer's work, brought into it unique lyrics and love for nature. The bronze sculpture depicts Bunin with his arms crossed on his chest and a wreath lying at the writer's feet.
Monument to S. Yesenin
The wife of the famous poet, Zinaida Nikolaevna Raikh, lived in Orel. Therefore, Yesenin came to the Oryol province many times. The poet's bust is made of bronze and mounted on a gray marble pedestal. The poet's face expresses thoughtfulness. His gaze is directed to the house on Komsomolskaya Street where he stayed when visiting his wife.
Monument to Seraphim of Sarov
The bronze figure of St. Seraphim is installed next to the Epiphany Cathedral in the center of Orel. Many pilgrims visit the monastery and the monument to Seraphim of Sarov. The figure is about 3 meters high. In his left hand he holds an icon, and the fingers of his right are gathered in three fingers. The monument was erected in honor of the re-acquisition of the relics of St. Seraphim.
Monument to I. Kh.Bagramyan
The monument to the Marshal of the Soviet Union was opened in 2016, on the territory of the Tankistov park. The full-size figure of Baghramyan is made of bronze and mounted on a stone pedestal. On the front side there is a commemorative inscription and 2 stars, symbolizing 2 orders of the Hero of the Soviet Union. At the feet of the marshal lie the coat of arms of the SS and the banner of the German army.
"A family"
Monuments to the family have been erected in many Russian cities. And the Eagle is no exception. Bronze figures of people depict a family. A husband and wife are holding two children - a boy and a girl. Children reach out in different directions, noticing something, and try to carry their parents along with them. Husband and wife hold hands and look at each other. The faces of all family members express happiness and fun.
Steam locomotive monument
In 1988, the Orel locomotive depot celebrated its 120th anniversary. It was built almost simultaneously with the railway that connected the city with Moscow in 1868. Very soon, due to its advantageous location, Oryol became an important transport center. A steam locomotive from the OV4775 series is installed on a pedestal in front of the Orel locomotive depot. This model became the most widespread in the Russian Empire.
"Station for tourists"
The monument is a railway platform with the Oryol-Paris train. The locomotive was presented specially for the composition by the director of Russian Railways. The monument is located on the territory of the "GREENN" complex, which belongs to the corporation of the same name. The “Station for Tourists”, like many other monuments, was erected in 2012 in honor of the 20th anniversary of the “GRINN” company.
Literary square TMK "GRINN"
The fate of many talented and famous writers is associated with the Eagle. The square in the "GREENN" complex is dedicated to them. Figures of the five most popular writers are installed throughout the park. Bronze sculptures depict them at the desk, reading a book or hunting. Shown here are Turgenev, Leskov, Fet, Bunin and Andreev. The eagle played an important role in the creativity of each of them and was reflected in their works.
