12 most interesting monuments of Tomsk

Rich in culture and history, Tomsk is renowned for its distinctive fusion of the old and the new. There are many interesting monuments that tell tales of the city’s past and creative spirit as you stroll through its streets. With everything from interesting historical sites to whimsical sculptures, Tomsk has something to offer everyone.

Exploration enthusiasts will find that Tomsk is full of hidden gems. While some monuments honor well-known individuals, others honor common people and regional customs. Every one of them gives the city’s personality and charm a unique touch.

These are 12 of the most fascinating monuments in Tomsk that will pique your interest and offer you a glimpse into the heart of this stunning Siberian city, whether you’re thinking about visiting or you’re just inquiring.

Chekhov Monument

Tom’s embankment, close to the Ushayki River’s mouth Creation year: 2004

"Anton Pavlovich Chekhov in Tomsk through the eyes of a drunk man lying in a ditch and not reading "Kashtanka"" is the full title of this sculpture by usov, Leonty. Possibly the most well-known monument in Tomsk today, it almost serves as the city’s emblem, drawing constant attention from both locals and visitors. However, it caused quite a stir when it initially surfaced! The authorities even desired its demolition, citing it as offensive to the great writer’s memory and the sentiments of the people of Tomsk."

In fact, the perspective To put it mildly, the great writer has enormous bare feet that are both unusual. Furthermore, after spending a week in Tomsk in 1890, Chekhov wrote some extremely critical remarks about the city in his notes. Additionally, the town’s monument serves as a sort of payback for the classic (money from Tomsk residents was used to install the sculpture).

Monument to happiness

Shevchenko, created on January 19, 2005.

"I’ll sing right now" is another well-known moniker for this cherished sculpture of a wolf from the well-known Soviet animation "Once Upon a Time There Was a Dog" in Tomsk. Sculptor Leonty Usov and foundryman Maxim Petrov are the creators of the sculpture. The Tomsk company "Tomlesstroy" gave them the order to make it. This is most likely how the writers and readers interpret happiness and total contentment. However, it appears that a lot of people concur with them!

The well-fed bronze belly of the wolf contains a microcircuit that, when touched, causes the wolf to utter a line from the cartoon in Dzhigarkhanyan’s voice. The bright wolf’s belly indicates how well-liked this monument is!

Monument to the lover

Bakunin, 3 Museum of the History of Tomsk early in the new millennium

So you can’t immediately understand why a man in his underwear is hanging on the cornice of the Tomsk History Museum?
The thing is that at first this monument was fixed on the railings of the Regional Trade Union Council, which looked like a residential building, and everything was quite clear. The inscription on it: “Whoever hasn’t been there – will be there, whoever was there – will not forget”. The ironic Tomsk residents opened it not just any time, but on Valentine’s Day, to the tune of Mendelssohn’s wedding march.
However, the unlucky lover was later removed, and, with a break spent somewhere inside, he is now trying to climb the wall of the museum. And the museum staff has developed a funny tradition – every year they change the poor guy into new underwear.

Monument to the ruble

In Bakunin, close to the Tomsk History Museum; founded in 2008

And a massive wooden ruble next to the lover’s monument! The largest replica of a Russian coin that was added to the Russian Book of Records is this one. His height is 210 cm, and he weighs a pine ruble, 250 kg.

On a scale of 100:1, the monument to the ruble precisely replicates the genuine Russian ruble from the 1997 model.

First constructed as a component of the IV Tomsk Carnival, the monument was located on Novosobornaya Square. The committee responsible for organizing the festival elucidated the rationale behind the production of a wooden ruble, stating that it serves as a memento of the remarkable wooden architecture of Tomsk and the abundance of timber in the Tomsk region. Sadly, a few years later, vandals damaged the enormous ruble. After being restored, it moved around the city and settled next to the museum.

Sculpture of a pregnant woman

Lenin Avenue was founded 38 years ago in 2005.

On the grounds of the Siberian State Medical University’s student campus is a highly unusual sculpture of a pregnant woman. It was made in 2005 by Nikolai Gnedykh, the sculptor. This intricate metal frame structure resembles a woman. And the future child is visible inside of it! Despite having an equally avant-garde appearance, it is positioned correctly—head down. Naturally, given that the monument is located close to the university’s obstetric clinics! Its creators are said to have specifically consulted with obstetricians.

As a lucky charm, future moms try to touch the belly of their iron "friend" or tie a colorful ribbon (though the university administration does not approve of the latter).

Sculpture "Baby in Cabbage"

No. 1 Maternity Hospital, Lenin Avenue, 65 Creation year: 2008

The cabbage monument is the common name for this red stone monument. But the baby is the main attraction here. In addition to having a perfectly acceptable name, Alyosha (or just Lyokha), he also has a data tag that is identical to the ones that are placed on newborns in the maternity hospital. At the monument’s 2008 opening, the chief medical officer of the maternity hospital herself gave it to the baby’s "daddy," sculptor Oleg Kislitsyn.

The boy is slightly taller than average newborns at 60 cm, and his head circumference of 35 cm also meets standards. However, the weight—possibly including the cabbage—was upwards of 1.5 tons! The people of Tomsk already adore little Alyoshka the hero. A fairy tale about a cabbage patch, where new children are occasionally found, can be told to young children. In an effort to ensure a happy birth, expectant moms choose to kiss the stone baby. It is said to be very helpful!

Tomsk is a historical and culturally rich city whose monuments masterfully convey its distinct identity. Tomsk’s landmarks, which range from quirky sculptures like the "Wooden Ruble" to the imposing "Chekhov Monument," showcase the city’s creative and playful spirit in addition to its strong ties to Russian history. The top 12 intriguing monuments in Tomsk are must-visit locations that provide a window into the city’s core and are ideal for a trip with the whole family or an exploration of Siberian culture.

Monument to Yermak ("Conquest of Siberia")

Ave. Frunze and Ul. Krylova intersect, close to the Sports Compults "Ermak" Creation 2015

Because of its unusualness, the sculpture "Conquest of Siberia" is well-known in Tomsk and beyond.

The bronze horse that Yermak is perched on actually has five legs!

The sculpture was created by well-known London-based sculptor Yunus Safardiyar, who is supported by Gazprom. A wolf with five paws is mentioned in a legend among the northern peoples of the Tomsk region. He approaches someone who possesses extraordinary talent and needs to pull off a feat. The author claims that the sculpture depicts the innovation that followed Siberia’s annexation—that is, how the wolf unexpectedly changed into a horse. Although Ermak Timofeevich never went to Tomsk, the monument is located next to the "Yermak" sports complex, and the horse represents the Tom football team, which has its stadium next to the square.

Monument to N. P. Putintsev

Lenin Avenue and the lane intersection. Nakhanovich Creation year: 2012.

"Monument to the honest traffic cop" is another term used by the public to refer to this sculpture. This bronze monument honors Nikolai Platonovich Putintsev, a real person who was made an honorary citizen of Tomsk. For over two decades, he stood at this position in all kinds of weather.

In Tomsk, "Uncle Kolya" was a well-respected police officer who was trustworthy, diligent, and accountable. Reportedly, he refused to accept bribes and even pulled over Yegor Ligachev, the regional committee’s first secretary at the time, for speeding. Following Putintsev’s death in 2011, Tomsk drivers donated funds to the construction of a monument.

Monument to the electrician

Shevchenko, born in 2004, sixty years old

Naturally, the monument to the electrician is situated in the square close to the Tomskgorsvet building, which this organization commissioned as part of its 50th anniversary celebration. It was erected as a tribute to all the electricians who work nonstop to keep the city lit. Oleg Kislitsky, a sculptor, is the author.

The short (just 160 cm tall) bronze electrician in "cats" hanging on the pole appears to have just changed a lightbulb in a lantern and is pleased with the outcome. Fiberglass is used to make the pole and the electrician himself. The people of Tomsk address the electrician Palych in a cordial manner.

Monument to the ore prospector Fyodor Yeremeyev and the miner working in the mine

The intersection of Kirov Avenue and St. Sovetskaya on Geologs Alley 2014 was the creation year.

A blacksmith named Fyodor Eremeyev rose to fame in 1623 when he found iron ore in the Tomsk region. And the iron extracted from this ore was used to make the first cannon just two years later. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the first mining engineer graduation in Siberia, a monument to him—or rather, a sculpture ensemble of the anonymous miner and ore prospector Fyodor Eremeyev—was placed in front of the Institute of Geology and Oil and Gas Engineering building at TPU. Ultimately, iron and gold ore were what started Tomsk.

The project’s creators are Vladimir Romanov and Leonty Usov, two sculptors. The sculptors had to research archival materials in order to produce these images.

"The Girl Ellie and Her Friends" (Monument to Brave Travelers)

Komsomolsky Prospekt, close to the Emerald City mall 2014 was the creation year.

Most of us, kids and adults alike, have probably read and loved stories about the Emerald City and Magic Land, Ellie and the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion. However, not many people are aware that Tomsk was home to Alexander Volkov, the author of these amazing books, when he was younger. After completing his studies at the Tomsk Teachers’ Institute, he was granted the authority to instruct in all subjects taught in schools, with the exception of the Law of God, in 1909. Legend has it that Tomsk is where the picture of the "Emerald City" originated.

"Girl Ellie and Her Friends," a roughly 2.5-meter-tall bronze sculpture, is situated close to the TRC "Emerald City," at the end of the road. Naturally, it was paved with yellow brick.

The artists Marian Montsman and Martin Pal, a sculptor from Slovakia, are the ones who designed the monument.

Monument	Description
Wooden Ruble	A unique monument symbolizing the rich wooden architecture of Tomsk.
Cheater	A quirky statue of a student peeking at notes, reflecting the student culture of the city.
Monument to Happiness	This monument depicts a wolf from a popular cartoon, symbolizing carefree happiness.
Slippers Monument	A fun monument showing giant slippers, a tribute to home comfort.
Tomsk Founders	A historical monument celebrating the founders of Tomsk, important for its heritage.
Monument to the Pregnant Woman	A touching tribute to mothers, symbolizing new life and family values.
Pushkin Statue	A statue dedicated to the famous Russian poet, honoring literature and culture.
Professor"s Toad	A whimsical monument representing the toad, often associated with wealth and fortune.
Antoshka Monument	A monument to a popular children"s character, bringing joy to both kids and adults.
Rook Monument	A symbol of Tomsk"s connection to water and its trading history.
Homecoming Soldier	A tribute to soldiers returning home after serving their country.
Monument to Love	A romantic monument celebrating love and relationships.

Tomsk is a city full of interesting monuments that each tell a tale about its colorful culture and rich history. While exploring the parks or meandering through the streets, you’ll come across sculptures that astonish and delight both locals and tourists.

Tomsk’s monuments convey the essence of the city in a variety of ways, ranging from whimsical pieces like the wooden ruble to poignant historical memorials like the Monument to the Home Front Workers. These sites not only enhance the urban environment but also provide a window into the customs and way of life of the local populace.

When you’re in Tomsk, make time to explore these amazing monuments. Every one of them presents a fresh angle on the essence of the city, ensuring that your visit is both significant and unforgettable. This stunning Siberian gem offers something fresh to see and admire every day.

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