home / Business/ Monument to Valery Pavlovich Chkalov. Monument to Chkalov in Nizhny Novgorod What made Chkalov famous

Monument to Valery Pavlovich Chkalov. Monument to Chkalov in Nizhny Novgorod What made Chkalov famous

The monument was erected as a tribute to the great deeds of the famous Nizhny Novgorod resident throughout the country, a fellow countryman who managed to make a record flight in 1936 across the entire country (Moscow - Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky), and in 1937 an unprecedented flight from the USSR to the USA via the North Pole. On December 15, 1938, during the first test flight of the new I-180 fighter at the M. V. Frunze Central Airfield (formerly the L. D. Trotsky Central Airfield), experienced pilot Valery Pavlovich Chkalov died. While making the landing approach, the M-88 engine stopped, but Chkalov V.P. heroically controlled the plane to the end and managed to land it outside the area occupied by residential buildings. The pilot himself hit his head on metal reinforcement at the crash site and died from the injury 2 hours later in the Botkin hospital.

In the same year, after the death of the pilot, Gorky residents turned to the city authorities with a petition to erect a monument to Chkalov. On the second anniversary of the death of the legendary test pilot, brigade commander and Hero of the Soviet Union Valery Pavlovich Chkalov on December 15, 1940, a monument in his honor was unveiled in Nizhny Novgorod. The monument was erected in one of the most beautiful places in Nizhny Novgorod - on the Verkhne-Volzhskaya embankment near the St. George Tower of the Kremlin, where Valery Pavlovich Chkalov loved to walk. The authors of the project were State Prize Laureate sculptor I.A. Mendelevich and architects V.S. Andreev and I.G. Taranov. The monument is located on three high steps, lined with black granite. Bronze statue of V.P. Chkalova was cast at the Monumentsculpture factory in Leningrad. The figure of the pilot rises on a cylindrical pedestal, his head is slightly thrown back, his right hand pulls the glove over his left hand. Everything in the appearance of the great pilot speaks of his courage, fearlessness, and perseverance.

On the polished surface of the cylinder there are contours of a map of the Northern Hemisphere with the routes of two historical flights of the ANT-25 crew under the command of Chkalov. The flight routes of the heroic crew of Chkalov-Baidukov-Belyakov to the Far East and through the North Pole to America are depicted with nickel-plated plates; Moscow, as the starting point of the flights, was marked with a red ruby star. At the bottom of the pedestal there is an inscription in applied bronze letters: “1904-1938. To the great pilot of our time Valery Chkalov."

In December 2019 (until the 23rd), the monument is under reconstruction. (I’ll need to photograph it again later...)

In this article, I collected and tried to concisely provide information about one of the iconic sights of Nizhny Novgorod, about the monument to Valery Pavlovich Chkalov, which, together with the Chkalov staircase and the boat below, is probably one of the main symbols (business card) of the city. I understand that a lot has been written about him, but there is no way to ignore him.

Well, how could we do without secrets third stage. See for yourself in the photo below (you can enlarge it if you click), it was actually taken from the first step. If someone suddenly doesn’t guess, I’ll give a hint at the end of the article :) (after the photo slideshow).

We ourselves, of course, like most Nizhny Novgorod residents, do not admire the monument (we’ve seen it so many times that we can’t count), but we periodically come to the site to pick it up. The view there is breathtaking, in any weather :) and time of year. Well, the kids run around the figure trying to catch up. Overall, our review of this attraction is positive and worth a visit.

That's the whole secret of the steps at the monument to Chkalov

If anyone thinks that I forgot to mention something important about this place, please write in the comments.

What made Chkalov famous?

Chkalov Valery Pavlovich- famous Soviet pilot (Hero of the Soviet Union) (1904-1938). He is mainly known for commanding the crew that flew the via the North Pole from the USSR to the USA. The first flight, at that time, from Moscow to Vancouver without an intermediate landing (in 1935, a similar flight by another crew was interrupted due to breakdowns). There was also a legend that Valery Pavlovich flew under one of the bridges Leningrad and there is an episode about this in the film about the famous pilot. Born in 1904 in the Nizhny Novgorod province. The place was then called “the village of Vasilevo”, later it was renamed the city of Chkalovsk. The famous "Nizhny Novgorod" died at the end of 1938 while landing a new aircraft during testing. It is believed that due to the fact that the unfinished plane was “driven” for the New Year. For those who are interested in the details of the test pilot’s biography, the best article on Wikipedia.

In 2019 (autumn), I additionally shot a short one-minute video:

Authors this attraction: architects V.S. Andreev, I.G. Taranov and sculptor I.A. Mendelevich. The story of how and why this monument appeared in Nizhny Novgorod, it says that Chkalov was friends with Mendelevich and together they chose this site for the monument to Gorky, but two years (in 1940) after the tragic death of the pilot, a monument to him was erected here at the request of the residents of Gorky (as Nizhny Novgorod was then called).

It’s a bit of a stretch to call the pilot a Nizhny Novgorod citizen. He was born in the village of Vasilevo, which later became the city of Chkalovsk, in the Nizhny Novgorod region (then still a province). He, already an accomplished pilot, came to Nizhny on vacation. Before his flying career, he worked as an aircraft assembler.

The monument consists from a cylinder-pedestal, three steps and a bronze statue of the pilot itself. Valery Pavlovich seems to be preparing for a flight, putting on a glove. Along with the signature on the cylinder there is a contour map of the northern hemisphere, which Chkalov “crossed”. Initially there was also an inscription “To Stalin’s Falcon”, which was removed.

Behind the back of the figure there is a semicircular Observation deck, from which it begins. In almost any weather, someone on it admires the opening view of the confluence of the Oka and Volga, the opposite bank. According to modern standards, there are binoscopes- stationary viewing binoculars. Viewing price: 10 rubles per 100 seconds. One day the children managed to “look through the sight” :), another time the bill acceptor swallowed the coin, but did not let them admire the landscape. So, be careful, give the opportunity to check the functionality of other tourists :) Below are several photos of the monument itself from several sides and the area next to it (taken in 2015).

Now the space surrounding the monument is sufficient popular Nizhny Novgorod residents have a place. “Dates” and friendly meetings are arranged here; skateboarders, cyclists, bikers and other “athletes” often hang out nearby. Brief name of the monument - HPV or Valery Palych Chkalov.

The so-called the secret of the third stage“It’s perfectly visible from both the first and the second. In my opinion, the first one is even piquant. I “looked” :) from those steps that are closer to the Kremlin, where the semicircular descent begins. In fact, two “secrets” are being revealed. The first is that pulling on a glove from certain angles looks like an obscene gesture. This is a soft option. If you look at the photo above, from specific steps, you can see that the respected Valery Pavlovich has something indecently sticking out :)

In addition to the monument, tourists will probably be interested in the stairs, the deer on the Nizhne-Volzhskaya embankment, and not to mention the Kremlin:) For museum lovers, I would recommend the Rukavishnikov Estate, which is located not far from Chkalov. In general, it is better to read about it yourself.

Or take a guided tour of Nizhny Novgorod:

This monument and the story of Chkalov are mentioned in Nizhny Novgorod excursions from private guides:

Where to admire great views and check out the monument

Address very simple - Minin and Pozharsky Square (on the embankment), which is next to the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. The site is located on the edge of the square, where the Verkhne-Volzhskaya embankment and Georgievsky Congress begin, on a slope. Coordinates: 56.329971, 44.009408. By public transport, get to the stops “Minin and Poazhrsky Square”, “Pedagogical University” or “Academy of Water Transport”.

Coming to Nizhny Novgorod, tourists are sure to get acquainted with one of the most popular monuments - a sculpture depicting Valery Pavlovich Chkalov. He looks dreamily into the sky and seems to be preparing for a new flight.

Local residents treat this attraction with special trepidation. It seems as if the monument has always been here. Today it is a meeting place, an obligatory point on the tourist route and a symbol of the city. Do you know how this statue appeared near the Kremlin?

History of the place

Let's take a walk to the St. George Tower. If you turn to face the Volga, the figure of Chkalov will rise to your right, who, like a hospitable host, greets guests.

The very place where the monument stands is remarkable. At the beginning of the 17th century there was a convent here, which in the 19th century was moved to Lyadov Square. The fact is that at that time space was being cleared. Along the walls of the Kremlin, it was planned to create a recreation area for citizens who could walk along the paths, admire the green spaces and views of the Volga.

In the last century, on the site of the pedestal there was a cafe where you could enjoy delicious ice cream.

Today the view from here is truly amazing. On the opposite bank stands Bor, a new bridge can be seen in the distance, and various vessels sail importantly and majestically along the river: pleasure boats, steamships, business barges.

Who should have stood in Chkalov's place?

The great pilot loved to walk along the Volga slope and stopped at the observation deck near the Kremlin wall to admire the river landscapes. He came to the city often; here he had many friends and acquaintances. He got into a conversation with one of them, the sculptor Isaac Mendelevich, about the fact that there should be a monument to an outstanding Nizhny Novgorod resident in such a remarkable place. The figure of Maxim Gorky would be ideal for this role.

Although the idea was good, it was not brought to fruition. After the death of Valery Chkalov, the sculptor insisted that the monument really be erected, but it belonged to the pilot. The project was developed by Mendelevich himself with the help of architects Ivan Taranov and Viktor Andreev.

The monument was supposed to be located on the territory of the Kremlin, but Isaac Mendelevich installed the figure of his friend in his favorite place.

Moving the stairs to the monument

What came first - the monument to the legendary test pilot or the famous Chkalov Stairs? The idea of building steps arose long before the Great Patriotic War. Valery Chkalov knew the chairman of the city executive committee, Alexander Shulpin, and more than once told him about the need to connect the observation deck with the embankment at the very edge of the river.

The idea of building a staircase grew into the development of an entire project, which was implemented only in 1949. Initially, the steps were supposed to be closer to the Kazan Congress, but the death of Valery Chkalov changed its location and name.

History has decreed that the memory of the legendary hero pilot is securely kept in the hearts of his fellow countrymen, Nizhny Novgorod residents. It was here, where he thoughtfully looked into the distance, admiring the incredible landscapes, that his bronze double was installed. The staircase connecting the Kremlin and the Volga, the main building of the city and the mighty river proudly carrying its waters, is named after him.

ANASTASIA ASTAKHOVA

Monument to Valery Chkalov (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) - description, history, location, reviews, photos and videos.

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The monument to the famous pilot Valery Chkalov is considered the second most popular attraction in Nizhny Novgorod after the Kremlin. Wedding processions come here, dates are made here, and tourists consider it a point of honor to take pictures next to it and walk along the huge Chkalov Staircase. Valery Petrovich Chkalov - Soviet test pilot, participant in an unprecedented flight over the North Pole. As a teenager, he saw an airplane for the first time and became “sick” of the sky. At the age of 15, the boy went to the front of the First World War as an apprentice aircraft fitter. In 1936, he and his comrades made the first non-stop flight in history of almost 10 thousand km - from Moscow to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, for which he received the Lenin Prize, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and personal gratitude from Stalin.

The sculpture of Chkalov was installed on the Volga embankment on December 15, 1940, two years after the death of the pilot. The idea was brought to life by his friend, the artist-sculptor, laureate of the USSR State Prize I. A. Mendelevich, and the architects I. G. Taranov and V. S. Andreev gave it significance thanks to the pedestal. The basis of the monument consists of three steps in the form of a polyhedron and a high cylindrical base, lined with black granite, on which the name of the hero and a map of the northern hemisphere with the routes of famous flights are engraved. Chkalov is captured in black stone in anticipation of the flight. The figure is facing the city, he is dressed in a pilot’s uniform, pulls a glove on his hand and looks up, as if planning his next meeting with the sky.

Practical information

Address: Nizhny Novgorod, Verkhnevolzhskaya slave. Coordinates: 56.330048, 44.009390.

How to get there: from Moskovsky railway station by car 6.5 km (11 minutes), by buses No. 3, 4, 19 to the stop “Minin and Pozharsky Square”.

Nizhny Novgorod, aka Gorky, aka, with a light youth hand - NiNo or NN. The city, which has earned the title of the Volga capital, is truly original - a little provincial and at the same time rapidly developing, having preserved its historical appearance, it is, at the same time, quickly acquiring modern architecture.

If we talk about the sights of Nizhny Novgorod, then there are quite a lot of them: over the 8 centuries of existence, no one has ever set foot on the land of the Dyatlov Mountains, who has left their mark on Nizhny Novgorod history.

Nizhny Novgorod is the birthplace of outstanding people in the fields of literature, art, and science. And almost every eminent citizen has a monument erected here. As a last resort - a memorial plaque. Monuments to the most famous Nizhny Novgorod residents - Minin and Pozharsky, Gorky and Chkalov - were erected in the very heart of Nizhny Novgorod.

The most famous Nizhny Novgorod landmark, the Kremlin, is also located here. Recently, negotiations have been underway to include it in the List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Russia.

Immediately outside the walls of the Kremlin there is Rozhdestvenskaya Street on one side, and the Chkalov Stairs on the other. Walking along these stairs is a reason not only to marvel at the power of engineering, but also to test your endurance. The staircase has no less than 560 steps! This is the longest staircase in Russia.

Numerous churches and cathedrals occupy a special place among the city's attractions. Some are monumental and strict (Old Fair Cathedral, Alexander Nevsky New Fair Cathedral), others are small and intricate (Stroganov Church and Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist in Torg).

But all are incredibly beautiful, with a rich centuries-old history. The Nizhny Novgorod monasteries - Annunciation and Pechersky - are especially famous.

As for the museums of Nizhny Novgorod, their number is not too large, but all of them, without a doubt, deserve attention. Moreover, some of them are unique and exist in Russia in the singular - for example, the Dobrolyubov Museum.

The most famous, of course, is the recently restored and therefore amazingly beautiful local history museum - the Rukavishnikov Estate. What is of great value here is not so much the expositions as the building itself, which amazes with its beauty and combination of styles.

Almost all the most interesting museums are located close to each other: the Art Museum, the Russian Museum of Photography, the museum-apartment of A.M. Gorky.

But still, the main attraction remains the natural beauty and landscapes of Nizhny Novgorod, opening from the Verkhnevolzhskaya embankment. The Nizhny Novgorod Volga Escarpment is a place that UNESCO experts plan to include as a World Heritage Site.

The beauty of Nizhny Novgorod nature can be appreciated not only on the Verkhne-Volzhskaya embankment, but also in one of the city parks: Avtozavodsky Park, Kulibin Park, Pushkin Park, Switzerland Park.