It is one of the original 16 monuments commissioned by Emperor Nicholas I to commemorate the Battle of Borodino and other key engagements of the 1812 war.
The monument was dismantled by Soviet authorities in 1930 for scrap metal and reconstructed in 2010 based on original architectural drawings.
The battle fought here was so intense that Napoleon was nearly captured by Cossacks during the fighting.
The town changed hands eight times during the course of the battle on October 24, 1812.
The monument features inscriptions detailing the specific regiments that fought at the site.
The Monument Slavy, or Monument of Glory, is a prominent cast-iron obelisk located in Maloyaroslavets, Russia, dedicated to the soldiers of the 1812 Patriotic War. Erected in 1844, it commemorates the brutal Battle of Maloyaroslavets which halted Napoleon's advance into Russia. The monument is situated in the town center on a prominent hill overlooking the surrounding area. It features a tiered architectural design topped with a gilded cross, symbolizing the victory of the Russian Imperial Army. The structure serves as the central focal point for local historical remembrance. It remains well-maintained as a protected site of cultural significance within the Kaluga Oblast.
From the base of the monument looking upward to capture the contrast between the cast-iron details and the church spire in the background.
Visit the adjacent Maloyaroslavets Military History Museum to provide essential context to the monument's significance.
Check the weather before visiting, as the site is fully exposed to the elements on its hilltop location.
Do not mistake it for the many other Soviet-era war memorials in the region; focus on the specific 1812 history.
Maintain a respectful demeanor as it is a war memorial; avoid loud conversations or disruptive behavior.
