Glory Memorial

Location: Kharkiv, Ukraine

Completed: 1977

Architects: I. Alfiorov, A. Maksimenko, E. Yu. Cherkasov (architects), M. Ovsyankin, V. Agibalov and Ya. Ryk (sculptors)

Alternative name: Monument to the Great Patriotic War

Genre: War memorial, Soviet memorial, former USSR

The memorial ensemble immortalises the Soviet soldiers and citizens who died during the Great Patriotic War (World War II). Located near Forest Park, where the Nazis executed tens of thousands of Soviet POWs, underground resistance fighters and regular civilians, the centrepiece of the memorial complex is a 12.75-metre grieving ‘Motherland’ statue. At the base of the statue is an eternal flame and nearby is a stone wall with bas-relief portraying various scenes related to the defence of the city. The main entrance is flanked by two large monuments displaying Soviet soldiers and the years 1941-1945.

Great War Memorial Kharkiv Ukraine-1-20

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