History

Vladimir Lenin monument-mausoleum in Chelyabinsk

Vladimir Lenin monument-mausoleum in Chelyabinsk
Construction of 1925. Vladimir Lenin monument-mausoleum in Chelyabinsk

Vladimir Lenin monument-mausoleum in Chelyabinsk
Located on the Aloe pole (Scarlet field) in the city of Chelyabinsk mausoleum appeared on July 15, 1925. However, the authorities laid the first stone on the day of the funeral of Vladimir Ilyich, exactly the minute when in Moscow Lenin’s body was lowered into the crypt, on January 27, 1924, at 18:55.
In fact, it resembles the mausoleums of the East – a two-story granite monument with two side staircases leading from the central entrance to the second floor. The monument of gray granite, combines a torn stone with a hewn stone, processed to a small buchard (platbands, locks, and framing arches). On the balcony of the second floor, between the two columns there is a niche with the bronze bust of VI Lenin. On the sides of the monument – obelisks.
Noteworthy, the outstanding Soviet sculptor Vera Ignatyevna Mukhina herself lead the process. Meanwhile the author of the project is Nikolai Mikhailovich Chekasin, a simple librarian of the Chelyabinsk Bibliocollector, whose project won in a contest.

The bust of Vladimir Lenin above the monument-mausoleum
The bust of Vladimir Lenin above the monument-mausoleum

Of course, the influence of the Kremlin mausoleum is undeniable. The author studied it through numerous newspaper drawings and photographs. However, it had big differences. First, instead of the body of the late leader, the Urals mausoleum keeps his soul: books with ideas and appeals. Second, the small room of the library – reading room was not for practical purposes, in particular, one-by-one people must have felt all the grandeur of the revolutionary genius and the pain of loss. This is the atmosphere of the mausoleum.

The tribune, located above the library, also has more symbolic significance. Unfortunately, the closed now monument in the center of the city is like a true tomb. The eastern picturesqueness of forms is subordinated to a strict thoughtful system and gives the entire structure solemnity and power. The bust of Lenin (1.55 m) on the background of architectural details is the center of attention like a pearl in the shell. This work is the result of a unique synthesis of the tradition of Ural gravestones with ideological cliches that came from the capital.

Vladimir Lenin monument-mausoleum in Chelyabinsk

1940s photo of the monument-mausoleum
1940s photo of the monument-mausoleum

The grand opening of the Chelyabinsk monument-mausoleum took place July 15, 1925, the sixth anniversary of the liberation of Chelyabinsk from the army of Kolchak. After the opening, the monument-mausoleum served as a public library, where visitors could use the works of VI Lenin. In addition, it served as the tribune during the demonstrations. However, during the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), the authorities closed the public reading room. Earlier on the monument above the central entrance there was a sign: “Learn by Lenin.” Later, appeared a white marble board with the following text: “The monument to Lenin, built in 1925 on the money of the working people of Chelyabinsk.”

A child standing in front of the mausoleum, archival photo of 1930s
A child standing in front of the mausoleum, archival photo of 1930s
Located in Aloe Pole Vladimir Lenin monument-mausoleum. Chelyabinsk, Russia
Located in Aloe Pole Vladimir Lenin monument-mausoleum. Chelyabinsk, Russia
One of the projects of memorials to Lenin in Chelyabinsk
One of the projects of memorials to Lenin in Chelyabinsk
Surrounded with pine trees Vladimir Lenin monument-mausoleum in Chelyabinsk
Surrounded with pine trees Vladimir Lenin monument-mausoleum in Chelyabinsk
The upper part of the mausoleum
The upper part of the mausoleum
View in winter
View in winter

Sources
public group vk.com/cheldata
vk.com/monumentguid