Demidovsky Pillar, Granite obelisk in central Demidov Square, Barnaul, Russia.
The Demidovsky Pillar is a granite monument standing in central Demidov Square in Barnaul, composed of 12 stacked grey granite blocks fitted together without mortar. These blocks were transported by river from a distant quarry region and rest on a base supported by four iron pillars anchored beneath.
Construction began in 1825 under the direction of Pyotr Kozmitch Frolov to commemorate a century of mining activity in the Altai region. The project took 14 years to complete, with the monument finally finished in 1839.
The monument reflects the wealth that mining brought to the region and stands as a symbol of Altai's economic importance in the early 19th century. Visitors can understand how industrial development became intertwined with the city's identity through this structure.
The monument stands in the central area of Barnaul and is easily accessible on Demidov Square. You will find historical information displayed on bronze plaques at the base of the structure.
In 1918, workers attempted to destroy the monument by pouring molten lead between the granite blocks to separate them, but the effort failed. The obelisk withstood this attack and remains intact today.
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