Statues - Hither & Thither

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Berlin
(Bezirk Mitte)
Stadt Berlin
Land Berlin

Straße des 17. Juni

Sowjetisches Ehrenmal

Soviet Memorial

Lev Kerbel'
1945

Description

Larger-than-life bronze sculpture of a Red Army soldier in battle gear with a fixed bayonet, standing on the central column of a gate, flanked by six columns symbolizing the arms of the services. The names of the military units involved in the liberation of Berlin are engraved on these granite-covered columns.

Inscription(s)

Вечная слава
героям павшим
в боях с немецко
фашистскими
захватчиками
за свободу и
независимость
Советского
Союза

ewiger ruhm
den helden die
in den kämpfen
mit den deutsch
faschistischen
eindringlingen
für die freiheit
und unabhängig
keit der sowjet
union fielen!

Eternal glory
to heroes
who fell in the
struggle against
the german
fascist invaders
for the freedom
and independence
of the Soviet Union

Annotation

This memorial in honor of the Soviet soldiers who died in the Second World War was inaugurated already in November 1945 with a parade by the Allied armed forces. Lew Kerbel designed it together with the Soviet sculptor Vladimir Zigal and the architect Nikolai Sergijevski, and marble and granite from Hitler's "new Reich chancellery" were allegedly used in its construction.

Two Soviet soldiers formed a guard of honor at the memorial until 1990. The memorial has since been classified as a historical monument, and Berlin's police department is responsible for its protection today.

Sculptor

Lev Yefimovich Kerbel' - Лев Ефимович Кербель (Sumy 1917 - Moscow 2003), Russian sculptor of Soviet realist works (Wikipedia).

Sources & Information

Berliner Mauer 1961-1989, Pariser Platz and Brandenburg Gate.
Berlin von A bis Z, Berlin Lexikon.

Locatie (N 52°30'59" - E 13°22'19") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: debe038; Photograph: 10 August 2013
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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