The mosque on Poklonnaya Gora harmoniously fit into the general ensemble of Victory Park, a memorial complex with an area of 135 hectares, erected in memory of the heroes who defended Russia at the cost of their life in the fight against the invaders. Monuments were erected here to soldiers of the Patriotic Wars of 1812 and 1941-1945, World War I, soldiers-internationalists and all and all who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of our country.
The perfect place for a memorial
Poklonnaya Gora is a place destined for the construction of a memorial complex on it in memory of all those who died for Holy Russia. Since ancient times, when this gentle hill was located far to the west of Moscow, merchants and travelers have stayed here to admire and bow to the golden domes of numerous churches and temples of the capital.
Faith and loyalty have always been the main stronghold of the country in Russia. The hill, concluded between the rivers Filka and Setunu, gradually became a ritual place where you could give a bow to a great country, its faith and people, who at the cost of their lives defended the freedom of their homeland for centuries.
The meaning and history of the name
The idea of a monument to the heroes of the war of 1812 was born at a time when the Germans were at the walls of Moscow. The idea of the architect Y. Chernikhovsky, which arose in 1942, was patriotic and, in general, timely - to honor the former liberators in spite of the enemies standing on the threshold. But the country, living under the slogan “everything for the front, everything for the victory”, lacked funds for other purposes. The idea was also timely because Napoleon was right here, where the memorial is now located, which included the Mosque on Poklonnaya Gora organically, waiting for "Moscow kneeling with the keys of the old Kremlin." He did not wait, and Hitler was not allowed to wait. And where, if not here, it was necessary to erect a monument to the heroes of the Fatherland! They returned to the idea in the 60s.
The first stone of the future Victory Park memorial was laid in a solemn ceremony on February 25, 1958.
Monuments to the heroes of several wars
The Triumphal Arch in memory of the heroes of the war of 1812 was erected in 1968. And only in our time a monument was erected here to the forgotten soldiers of the First World War. Russia is a multinational country, and all the peoples inhabiting it have paid tribute to the defense of their homeland. The memory of them is honored not only in the territories of the republics and places of residence. In 1992, the government of the capital, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the European Part of Russia (DUMER) decided to erect a monument to Islamic soldiers who died for Russia in Moscow in a holy place. The best memorial, of course, could be the Mosque on Poklonnaya Hill.
The vast majority of the country's population
There are a lot of Muslims in the country - they are residents of parts of the Urals, Siberia and the Caucasus, Bashkiria, Tatarstan and Crimea. A memorial was erected in memory of the dead inhabitants of these territories according to the project of Moscow architect Ilyas Tazhiev. The main initiator of the construction and one of the sponsors of the project was the famous businessman in Moscow Faiz Gilmanov. In his homeland, in the Tatar village of Medyany, in 1992-1995, the Rashida Mosque was erected at his expense, named by the entrepreneur in honor of his mother and became one of the remarkable examples of modern Islamic architecture.
The opening ceremony
The mosque on Poklonnaya Hill opened in a festive atmosphere on September 6, 1997. The first stone with a huge gathering of people, with traditional sacrifice, a concert and performances by the best representatives of the clergy, science and culture of the Muslim world of Russia, was laid in 1995. Given the fact that due to the lack of sufficient funds, construction began late, the Memorial Mosque was erected in a short time. Maybe because it was built from concrete slabs and was only lined with red brick. The main expenses for the creation of the mosque were borne by the Moscow government. Some support could be provided in response to DUMER’s appeal to Muslim CIS countries by the governments of Kazakhstan and Adygea, Bashkortostan and Tatarstan. The presidents of these countries and republics arrived in Moscow for the grand opening of the mosque. The corps of foreign guests was very impressive.
Wonderful architecture
The Memorial Mosque on Poklonnaya Gora itself looks light and airy due to the delicate snow-white decoration on a red background. A 60-meter high minaret strengthens the impression. The site for the muezzin, calling for prayer, is located at a height of 50 meters.
Narrow windows, ribbed domes made of wrought copper, a combination of red and white make the fourth mosque in Moscow's construction time irresistible. Inside there are a lot of white stone carvings, including on eight pillars supporting the arch. Here, under the dome, there are two tiers of premises for women. On brass boards - inscriptions in Russian and Arabic, telling in honor of whom the mosque was erected. The room for worshipers has a size of 15x10 meters, its marble floor is carpeted. A necessary detail of any mosque, mihrab - a
niche in the wall with two columns and an arch indicating the side where Mecca is located - is located at the entrance to the hall. Next to him, on the right side, is a pulpit. The mosque is very elegant and attractive; excursions are organized here.
Worthy tribute
Victory Park is one of the favorite places of Muscovites; thousands of people come here every day, thereby paying tribute to the dead. Poklonnaya Gora (photo attached) is very beautiful. Its central sculpture, a huge stele crowned by the statue of victory for Nike with two angels, and George the Victorious, killing a snake, are very impressive. The statue of the patron saint of Moscow is located at the foot of the stele. The main avenue with fountains and the Triumphal Gate, the sculptural composition "The Tragedy of the Peoples" and the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War, a monument to internationalist soldiers and much more - all this attracts Muscovites and guests of the capital.