Mother Volga monument in Rybinsk, Monumental statue near Rybinsk Dam, Russia
The Mother Volga monument stands 28 meters (92 feet) tall at the entrance to Rybinsk locks, featuring a woman figure with arms spread wide. The statue overlooks the waterways and welcomes ships passing through the lock gates.
The monument was built in 1953 near the Rybinsk hydroelectric station, replacing earlier proposals to transform an existing Moscow statue. Its construction occurred during a period of major infrastructure projects along Russian rivers.
The statue embodies a strong Russian woman representing industrial strength and technical accomplishment from the Soviet era. The figure reflects the optimism and confidence in progress that defined the period.
You can reach this site by taking buses 3, 16э, 101, 102 or 111, or minibuses 16t and 36t from Rybinsk railway station to the Kabelny Zavod stop. From there, the monument is an easy walk and open for viewing without any restrictions.
A seagull sculpture stands beside the main figure, symbolizing freedom and the vastness of Russian territories. This small detail often goes unnoticed, though it forms an integral part of the monument's overall composition.
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