The modern appearance of Gomel is a mixture of Soviet heritage and attempts to bring some kind of novelty. The city's monuments fit neatly into this simple scheme. Several war memorials are kept in near-perfect condition. Around them, parks are laid out, flowers are planted in flower beds nearby, restoration work is regularly carried out.
One of the most beautiful monuments is dedicated to the first settler: he seems to be sailing on a boat on an impromptu lake. The attraction is located on the embankment near the Rumyantsev-Paskevchia palace, which makes it even more attractive for tourists. Travelers cannot pass by other modern unusual monuments. For example, they constantly take pictures with the giant "Gulliver" and "Clown Pencil".
Historical and modern monuments of Gomel
List of the most famous monuments of the city.
Monument to V.I.Lenin
The erection of a monument to Lenin in Gomel was timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Byelorussian SSR. The sculpture is located on the square of the same name. The rectangular pedestal is faced with massive granite slabs and has a height of 8.5 meters. It is adjoined by pedestals, also made of granite. The monument itself was cast from bronze, its height is 6 meters. In front of the monument were placed snow-white boxes, flower beds, and on the sides - two small arches.
Memorial "Eternal Flame"
The composition was created on the mass grave where the victims of the Great Patriotic War are buried. Among them are partisans and Red Army soldiers, including two Heroes of the Soviet Union. The eternal flame burns at the monument to a soldier erected on a high pedestal. In 2016, the state held a tender for the restoration of the landmark. The main problems are wear of granite slabs and metal fencing.
Monument to Kirill Turovsky
The opening of the monument to the humanist and enlightener took place in 2004 in the park of the same name. The authors of the project are the Gumilevsky father and son. The bronze statue of Turovsky was cast from bronze and placed on a granite pedestal. The bishop holds a scroll in his hands and seems to be reading a prayer at the moment. During his lifetime, Torovsky was nicknamed Chrysostom for his eloquence. The height of the sculpture is 3.5 meters.
Monument to N.P. Rumyantsev
At the end of the 18th century, Nikolai Rumyantsev inherited the Gomel estate and began a major restructuring of the area. He did not abandon the project even when he received the post of foreign minister. For his services to the city, the diplomat was awarded a monument in 2001. He is depicted with a map - a symbol of the creation of the current appearance of Gomel. On three sides, the pedestal is surrounded by a flower bed, where even rows of tulips are planted in warm weather.
Monument to the brothers-front-line soldiers Lizyukov
A memorial sign to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War is located on Victory Square. It represents the figures of three brothers - an artilleryman, a tankman and a partisan. The full-length heroes stand shoulder to shoulder and look in three directions, as if holding an all-round defense. The brothers' traits were drawn by sculptor Valery Kondratenko from surviving family photographs. The height of the monument is 4 meters.
Monument to Soldiers-Internationalists
Dedication to soldiers-internationalists appeared in Gomel in 2003. The composition was created by sculptor Gennady Gorbanev and architect Valentin Likhopol. The monument is a chapel with a dome and arched spans instead of walls. In the center is the monument itself - a conditional mournful figure with a tear flowing down his cheek. The workers of the Tsentrolit plant were responsible for the foundry work of the project.
"100 years of the Belarusian police"
The monument has been located near the Palace of Culture Zheleznodorozhnikov since 2017. The bronze guard of the order is wearing a uniform from the 50s. He serves at the intersection of streets and seems to regulate traffic. Nearby there is an M-72 motorcycle. It was made from a real prototype and paid attention to small details. Such models were produced only for police officers. The author of the monument, Vasily Kondratenko, took a year to implement the project.
Monument to the first settler
According to legend, the first settlement on the site of modern Gomel was founded by a man named Gom. The sculptor Vyacheslav Dolgov dedicated a monument to him in 2006. The people also call the sculpture "The Boatman". It is located on the territory of the park, laid out around the palace of the Rumyantsevs-Paskevchia. A man-made lake acts as a pedestal. In the middle is a boat, besides Goma, a lynx sits in it - an animal depicted on the city's coat of arms.
"Walk with greyhounds"
The sculptural composition adorns the Sozh embankment. The sculptor Vyacheslav Dolgov depicted the local prince Fyodor Paskevich walking with his greyhounds - Lord and Mark. The monument has no pedestal in the dark, or from a distance the figures can be mistaken for living dogs and humans. These animals are popular in the city. The burial place of the prince's favorites is even known - beyond the Lebyazhy pond.
"A traveling mood"
This art object is also called a monument to the traveler. Installed at the railway station by order of the local administration. The opening ceremony took place in 2008. The project was developed and implemented by Vyacheslav Dolgov. A man sitting on a suitcase is slightly smaller than his luggage. The names of the cities where the traveler allegedly visited are "pasted" on the suitcase. The bronze man's nose and hand are polished to a shine: they are rubbed for good luck by passers-by.
Monument-tank T-34
It has been located on Vosstaniya Square since 1968. The pedestal is made at a slight slope. On the front side, 3 tablets were attached to it: with dedication, historical information and a list of military units, which were given the name "Gomel". The monument was erected not only in honor of the tankmen, it perpetuates the feat of all the soldiers-liberators of the city during the Second World War.
"Clown Pencil"
Mikhail Rumyantsev has become so accustomed to his image - the clown Pencil, that many do not even know the real name of the artist. In 2006, a monument to this outstanding art worker was erected near the circus building. The sculpture of the Pencil is made in full growth. Beside him "runs" his faithful companion and partner in stage numbers - the Scotch Terrier Klyaksa. Photo sessions are often held near the monument.
Monument to the Komsomol
In 1968, the intersection of Zharkovsky and Karpovich streets became the site of the monument to the Komsomol members. The basis of the project is a 25-meter obelisk made of granite in two colors: gray and red. 11 years later, the composition was complemented by the figure of a girl in the foreground. A bronze Komsomol member holds a pennant in her raised hands. The height of the sculpture is 2 meters. In 2015, the monument was restored and modern lighting was added.
"Gulliver"
This is the first monument in Belarus dedicated to a fairy-tale character. Gulliver's creators needed 3 tons of metal to complete their large-scale project by 2007. The height and creations eventually exceeded 7 meters. In the hands of the giant is no less impressive sword, the length of which is about 2 meters. The style of the monument is monumentalism, and one of the distinguishing features is the absence of roundness.
Monument to Irina Paskevich
Irina Paskevich is the last owner of the Gomel estate. She was engaged in charity work and enjoyed good fame among the people. A monument in her honor was erected at the end of the 19th century near the registry office building on Irininskaya Street. When creating the sculpture, the authors made a historical inaccuracy. They showed Paskevich to be a tall and stately woman, although in reality her growth was noticeably lower.
"Student"
At the end of the 2000s, a competition was announced for the best layout for a future monument to students. Works were accepted from everyone, and the best was chosen by voting. In 2010, a finished monument appeared near the knowledge of the Gomel University.The figure of the girl was seated on the parapet, they gave an apple and a book in their hands, and a handbag was placed next to it. The student received the name Tatiana and quickly became one of the most popular art objects in the city.
Monument to A.S. Pushkin
In 1997, a bust of the poet and writer was erected on Pushkin Street. There is still controversy over the similarities between the facial features of the monument and the prototype. On a snow-white pedestal there are lines: "And for a long time I will be so kind to the people that I awakened good feelings with my lyre." The area around is paved with tiles. Only at the very base of the monument was a deepening made - in the spring and summer months, flowers are planted here.
Monument to Bohdan Khmelnitsky
The hetman of the Zaporozhye Army was awarded a monument in Gomel in 1958. It was installed in a small park near the prayer house. The figure of Bohdan Khmelnitsky is cast from bronze in full growth. The snow-white high pedestal allows you to see the monument from afar. The street also bears the name of the hetman, although in the past it was called Battery. Nearby attraction is the Lokomotiv stadium.
Monument to the janitor
Located near the market. The opening ceremony took place in 2008 and was timed to coincide with the celebration of the day of the employee of housing and communal services. The idea of the monument is to celebrate the work of the workers who put things in order on the streets of the city, and to remind that janitors are people too. Therefore, the bronze woman-janitor is depicted at the time of the break. In one hand she has a broom, and in the other a mirror, in which she looks and preens.
Monument to the militia - defenders of the city
A massive block of cast iron was cast and installed to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Victory. The monument is located in the Lunacharsky Park. Bas-reliefs are applied on each face of the rectangular structure. There is only one theme - the Great Patriotic War. The sight glorifies the militia, whose members fought side by side with the Red Army soldiers. Nearby you can find the chapel-burial vault of the Paskevichs.
"Plumber"
In 2008, employees of the Tsentrolit plant made a cast-iron monument to plumbers. Their idea is to show a tired but happy Vodokanal worker leaning out of the hatch. Not all residents and experts were able to evaluate the final creation. To many, the artistic and cultural value of the monument seemed dubious. Subsequently, the concept and appearance were completely redesigned. The attraction can still be found on Malaychuk Street.
Monument to P. Tchaikovsky
Installation time - 1978. Nearby is a music school named after the composer. His contribution to world culture did not leave Belarusians indifferent. The monument is well looked after. The restoration took place not so long ago. As a result, the pedestal was faced with granite slabs, and a green piano-flower bed was installed in ripples. The composition turned out to be not only harmonious, but also colorful.
Monument to F.E.Dzerzhinsky
The most suitable place was chosen for the monument to the revolutionary - opposite the KGB Directorate. The sculpture of the "iron" Felix has been standing on a high pedestal against the background of a figured stele since 1948. His appearance is extremely restrained, his posture is decisive, and in his hands Dzerzhinsky holds papers rolled into a scroll. The approach to the monument is made in the form of steps and flower beds. The state of the attraction is satisfactory.
"Organ grinder"
The sculpture by Belarusian sculptor Vyacheslav Dolgov is one of the modern decorations of the city park. An elderly organ grinder stands near the alley and looks as natural as possible. The sculpture has a special feature: the organ's handle rotates. This is done so that everyone can make a wish, spin a full turn and get hope that the legend is true and what was planned will come true.
Monument to A. A. Gromyko
The future head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR was born in a village near Gomel. The monument was erected to him in 1983. The bust stands on a cylindrical plinth. A small area around was faced with granite slabs. The total height of the attraction exceeds 3 meters. The author of the project is the sculptor Iulian Rukavishnikov. The territory nearby is refined - there are benches, paths for walking, lighting in the dark.
"Newlyweds"
Young couples who are married in the registry office of the Zheleznodorozhny district do not leave here without photographs in a local attraction - the “Newlyweds” monument. It consists of two parts - the bride and groom in costumes of past eras, as well as a carriage that awaits them nearby. Artistic forging and the attention of the authors of the project to detail made the monument graceful and sophisticated.
Zero kilometer
A pillar about a meter high is located in the Turovsky public garden on the outskirts of Lenin Square. It is easy to pass by and not notice due to its modest size. Distances to some cities are indicated on the wide part of the monument. The landmark was made at the Tsentrolit plant. The opening ceremony took place in 2010. There is another pillar nearby, only this time with direction signs.
"Wallet"
Located near the building of "Belarusbank". The corresponding inscription with the name of the institution is applied to the wallet itself. It is stuffed with coins to the brim, and two of them - a ruble and a penny - stand side by side. The monument is a symbol of wealth, frugality and reliability. A modest art object attracts fortune-seekers: you need to take a coin from your wallet, put it on the monument for a while, and then take it back. This should bring success in the financial arena.
Monument to Buratino and his friends
The sculptural composition can be found at the entrance to the Puppet Theater. The heroes of the work of Alexei Tolstoy were created by the Belarusian sculptor Valery Kondratenko. Pinocchio in one hand squeezes a golden key, and brought the other to his nose, showing his famous gesture. Malvina is sitting a little further from the entrance in the cart, which is harnessed by Artemon. The opening ceremony of the unusual monument took place in 2007.
Monument to the last "Ikarus"
Stands near the office building in the bus depot # 6. In 1973, Ikarus began to be supplied to Belarus. In 2011, the last of them left the "watch" and turned into a monument. Before hoisting the bus on a specially prepared pedestal, it was returned to its original yellow color. Because of this, "Ikarus" partially merges with the walls, but it evokes nostalgic feelings among passers-by.
