Monuments to Herzen and Ogaryov on Mokhovaya Street

The Monuments to Herzen and Ogaryov on Mokhovaya Street display two figures in full height, wearing cloaks and positioned on opposite sides of a square entrance before the university building. They are made of concrete and marble, forming a symmetrical pair within the university complex.

These monuments were commissioned in 1919 to mark a major anniversary and officially unveiled on December 10, 1922. They were created during a period when the Soviet state sought to honor figures important to its cultural identity.

The monuments portray two figures known for their literary work and commitment to social change in Russian intellectual circles. Visitors can observe how their positioning near the university emphasizes their connection to education and public discourse.

The monuments are located on Mokhovaya Street facing the main university building and are easily accessible from the street. The square where they stand is open to visitors at all times and reachable by public transport.

The sculptor Nikolay Andreyev originally planned a single monument but redesigned it as two separate sculptures facing each other from opposite sides of the square. This arrangement creates a dialogue-like composition that many visitors fail to notice.

Location: Tverskoy District

Inception: 1922

Architects: Viktor Dmitrievitsj Kokorin

Part of: Buildings of Moscow State University (Mokhovaya Street)

GPS coordinates: 55.75510,37.61175

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:21