Statue of Pushkin, Bronze monument in Pushkinskaya Square, Moscow, Russia

The monument to Alexander Pushkin stands on Pushkinskaya Square in Moscow, on the spot of the demolished Strastnoy Monastery. Sculptor Alexander Opekushin shows the poet full-length in a long frock coat with a cloak over it, his head bowed in thought, his right hand tucked into the coat lapel and his hat held in his left hand behind him. The bronze figure rests on a pedestal of dark red Serdobol granite, ringed by four cast-iron lanterns and 20 small posts linked by a bronze chain.

Fundraising began in 1860 among graduates of the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, and a new subscription led by Yakov Grot followed in 1870. Alexander Opekushin won the 1875 open competition, and the bronze was cast in Saint Petersburg on a pedestal of dark red Serdobol granite. The monument was unveiled on 6 June 1880 at the start of Tverskoy Boulevard, facing the Strastnoy Monastery; in 1950 it was moved across Tverskaya Street to the monastery's demolished bell-tower site and turned 180 degrees.

The bronze figure shows the poet in his characteristic thoughtful pose, as people often imagined him during moments of inspiration. Today visitors come to lay flowers or quietly recite verses, especially on his birthday in June.

The square is freely accessible around the clock and sits near several metro stations in central Moscow. On weekends and holidays it can be busier, with groups gathering or cultural events taking place.

The pedestal carries verses from Pushkin's poem "The Monument", but the right side reproduces a censored line: Zhukovsky had replaced "And long shall I be dear to my people" with a reworded version, and that altered text was carved into the stone. The left side keeps the original lines. The couplets are cut in relief 20 mm high.