Installed in front of the New Athos Cave Legendary Golden Fleece monument. Abkhazia

First of all, this is a Golden Fleece monument installed in front of the New Athos Cave – famous natural landmark of Abkhazia. A very well-known Abkhaz sculpture, about which, however, we do not know much – neither the author nor the year of installation. Noteworthy, the myth of the Golden Fleece reflects the history of the first relationship of ancient Greece and the Caucasus. Besides, opened to visitors in 1975, Athos Cave got its name from the holy Mount Athos in Greece. And, together with the sculpture of the Golden Fleece, they are a popular destination for tourist excursions. Meanwhile, next to the building through which you can get into the cave, appeared a statue of the Golden Fleece.
It symbolizes the ancient legend about the journey of brother and sister Phrixus and Hella on the golden ram to the shores of Asia. The golden skin of sacrificed animal became a symbol of prosperity. However, later, Jason and the Argonautsand stole it. Another assumption of the significance of the Golden Fleece in the Caucasus – is an ancient way of getting gold in the mountain rivers. In particular, by immersion of lamb skins, on which precipitated the gold particles.
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God watching over people. Ob-Ugriс Gods and Spirits sculptural alley. 2010. Sculptor Volodya Sargsyan

Ob-Ugriс Gods and spirits sculptural alley represents mythology of the space division of the world. Located in Khanty-Mansiysk, the group of 7 monumental and decorative sculptures called “Gods and spirits” displays the rich mythology of the Ob-Ugric peoples. Each sculpture height – 3.8 m and width – 1.2 m resembles a tree that grows from the ground, as if symbolizing the universal tree that connects the past, present and future. The top resembles a crown of holy tree, which shows the different characters of the gods and spirits with their environment. Besides, ornaments, located on the pole, relate directly to the images of the composition, and contain ornaments, symbols and mysterious codes that make up the meaning and essence of each of the compositions.
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‘Do not cut the branch on which you sit, – recalls the eponymous monument in Yakutsk. English equivalent – Don’t bite the hand that feeds you

Do not cut the branch on which you sit Monument

Installed in the northern Russian city monument, is in fact, the illustration of the popular wisdom “Do not cut the branch on which you sit”. And thus, one of the craziest ideas of sculptors embodied in the old Russian proverb. The monument decorates one of the main streets in Yakutsk, Republic of Sakha. The monument is a graceful tree that stretched out its branches in different directions. On one of the knots – an unknown man with a sad face. With a hacksaw in his hands, despite the well-known ending, a bronze hero is diligently doing his job. Funny monument attracts many tourists and collectors of unusual places. To the monument literally flood the guests of the city, thanks to its strategic location. Almost everyone tries to climb up next to the frozen figure and capture an outstanding moment. Although the city administration does not approve such actions, to drive away all comers is not always possible. Anyway, the plate next to the monument reminds politely not to touch the work of art.
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The Hill of Witches wooden sculpture

The Hill of Witches wooden sculpture

They say that since the immemorial time hell witches organized here their peers. Even the most important witch Rage, happened to appear at the annual Sabbath in honor of the shortest night. Witches can not only frighten or intimidate, but also send drought, rain or hail, eclipse the sun, and turn a man to stone … This place is special, just the brink of a mystical and real worlds where fantasy comes, awakening creative forces. Jonas Stanyus, Juodkrante forest ranger – once feeling this atmosphere, thought: why not to depict characters of fairy tales and legends that existed centuries in folklore. So, in 1979, the Lithuanian folk artists – carvers and blacksmiths – the first time gathered on the hill. They created a gallery of 25 folk sculptures. The following year – another gathering, and a year later – the third. Until now, almost every year the hill attracts the masters, who restore the old sculptures, and create new ones. And to this day, it is a solid legacy – more than 80 sculptures from oak with metal detail – a gift of folk artists to the town of Juodkrante, Lithuania and to everyone who has ever been on the Hill of Witches.
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Yekaterinburg, Russia. Mythical Malachite Maid bronze sculpture. 2010

Mythical Malachite Maid bronze sculpture – a monument to Mistress of Copper Mountain, a character of a well known Ural and Russian storyteller Pavel Bazhov. The sculpture features an extremely beautiful young woman with green eyes, and next to her – two bears, a deer and a lizard at her feet. The heroine of “The Malachite Box” of “Ural Mountains folktales” by writer Pavel Bazhov – mythical mistress of the Ural Mountains, the keeper of the precious rocks and stones. She appears in front of people like the goddess Venus, with a plait and ribbons of thin jingling copper, in a gown of “Silk malachite.” But, sometimes people see her in the form of a … lizard in the crown.
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Malachite Maid, or Mistress of Copper Mountain Topiary sculpture. Beryozovsky, Sverdlovsk region, Russia. 24 June 2016. Author Natalia Tatarinova

Mistress of Copper Mountain Topiary sculpture

Workers of Beryozovsky gold mine have long been famous for thirst of creativity and thirst for beauty. Thanks to their enthusiasm, next the plant, in the evening on 24 June 2016 appeared six-meter sculpture of the Mistress of Copper Mountain. The author of the idea of ​​a new sculpture – a design engineer of Beryozovsky mine Natalia Tatarinova. She said: “Mistress of Copper Mountain is the only character associated with the production of metal, and precious stones. In our Russian culture, which unites the whole country, there is nothing more significant, – says Natalia Tatarinova. – In addition, Beryozovsky – the first city, where they opened a gold mine. People should know their history. And most children know the fairy tale “Mistress of Copper Mountain”, it is an interesting sculpture”.
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Mistress of Copper Mountain. Pavel Bazhov mountain sculptural park

Pavel Bazhov mountain sculptural park

In the Russian hinterland, in the southern Urals, in the mountainous area is the small town of Zlatoust. About it, perhaps many did not even hear. First of all, it is known for its craftsmen. There are a lot of places worthy of attention. There are places that have their roots far in the history of Russia, such as arms factory. Almost in the center of the city, in the Red Hill area in early June 2015 appeared a park, dedicated to the work of well-known Ural writer Pavel Bazhov. Bazhov Mountain Park is filled with images of fairy tale characters of Pavel Bazhov. Here you can see a sculpture of Silver Hoof, Mistress of Copper Mountain, Ognevushka-poskakushka, master Danila, and many more. The park houses the museum complex, including specialized rooms with collections of minerals, as well as exposure of weapons, acquainting visitors with traditional crafts of Zlatoust. In the park work a souvenir shop, cafe, children’s trampoline, and fenced football pitch.
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