Alexander III - the great Russian emperor, father of Nicholas II, the last king of the Romanov clan. During the reign of Alexander III, life in the country was relatively calm, since he did not seek to take part in any wars. The king died in 1894 from kidney disease, after which his son became emperor. Nicholas II wanted to perpetuate the memory of his father, so at the beginning of the XX century there were museums named in honor of Emperor Alexander III. In addition to them, monuments were erected in different parts of the country, one of which was in Irkutsk.
However, after the Bolsheviks came to power, they were all dismantled. Interesting facts about the monument to Alexander 3 in Irkutsk are known. You can familiarize yourself with them by reading this article. In addition, you will find out where the monument to Alexander 3 is located in Irkutsk at present.
What did Alexander III remember
The reign of Emperor Alexander III was quite calm. The people even called the tsar a peacemaker, because in the years that he was in power, Russia did not participate in any war. Initially, he was prepared for military service, but by the will of fate, he was on the throne. The emperor was distinguished by high growth, excellent sense of humor, and high capacity for work. He did not like excesses, and in his personal life he was unusually modest. The emperor was a strong and courageous man, he loved fishing.
In 1888 a terrible event occurred concerning the royal family. When traveling from the south, their train crashed, which damaged many people who accompanied the king. However, the emperor himself, his wife and children safely got out of the destroyed car. Eyewitnesses claimed that Alexander III had a roof on his shoulders so that it would not crush his family. After the disaster, the emperor began to complain of back pain. Doctors diagnosed him with kidney disease, which progressed every year. In 1894, the king died, and his son ascended the throne - Nicholas II.
History of the monument
The monument to Alexander 3 in Irkutsk appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. It symbolized gratitude to the tsar for the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway. In order to choose the best composition, in 1902 the All-Russian competition was announced, as a result the project of R. R. Bach won. The installation of the monument to Alexander 3 in Irkutsk took place in 1908.
Dismantling
However, a revolution soon occurred, and ideology in the country completely changed. The memory of the kings became no longer needed by the new government. In 1920, the monument was dismantled. His further fate is unknown, but according to one version he was sent for re-melting, as a result of which a monument to Vladimir Lenin appeared, which to this day can be seen in this city. The pedestal of the monument to Alexander 3 in Irkutsk was empty for many years, but in 1963 a concrete spire dedicated to the pioneers of Siberia was installed on it.
Other monuments to Alexander III
By the way, the monument to the emperor in Moscow, which was located near the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, was also destroyed. The sculpture was a figure of Tsar Alexander III, sitting on a throne in the mantle. The imperial crown flaunted on his head, and in his hands he held a scepter and power. This monument was dismantled one of the very first.
Bronze Alexander III on horseback was mounted in 1909 in St. Petersburg. This monument did not appeal to most members of the royal family, since the emperor was depicted without any idealization. He sat heavily on a horse, was dressed in baggy clothes. In 1937, this monument was dismantled and deposited in the Russian Museum.
Monument in Irkutsk today
After the collapse of the USSR, it was time for a change. Old monuments and cultural sites began to be restored. The initiator of the casting of the monument to Alexander 3 in Irkutsk was the management of the East Siberian Railway. It also allocated money for this procedure. As a result, in 2003 the concrete spire was removed from the pedestal, and Alexander 3 again appeared before the eyes of the residents of Irkutsk. The bronze emperor has a weight of about 4 tons. He is dressed in the uniform of a Siberian Cossack chieftain. The bronze images of outstanding personalities are cast on the monument: Mikhail Speransky, Ataman Ermak Timofeevich, Count N. N. Muravyov-Amursky. On one of the faces is an eagle that holds a royal document in its paws.
Location
Many guests of the city are interested in where there is a monument to Alexander 3 in Irkutsk. It is located on Karl Marx Street, on the banks of the Angara River.
Conclusion
The monument to Alexander III near Angara was originally a symbol of gratitude to the emperor for the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, because it was initiated by his will. This highway allowed connecting Moscow with the largest cities of Siberia and the Far East, which had a positive effect on the development of the country as a whole. Despite the fact that during the reign of the Bolsheviks the monument was dismantled, bronze Alexander III reappeared in Irkutsk in 2003. Many residents of the city believe that his return was logical, because the history of the country cannot be simply crossed out.