The monument S.I.Gritsevtsu

The bronze bust of the famous Soviet fighter pilot of the 1930s, S.I. Gritsevets, the first twice Hero of the Soviet Union, a native of Novogrudok, Sergey Gritsevets (1909–1939), was created in 1955 by sculptor Zair Azgur.

The History of the Monument to Sergey Gritsevets

Initially, the monument was installed on the central alley of the 30th Anniversary of the BSSR Park, which today bears the name of Yanka Kupala. However, in 1972, the bust was moved to the boulevard on Lenin Street, where it still stands today, facing Minsk's main avenue. Interestingly, a monument to the founder of the Red Cross, Henri Dunant, was later erected opposite Gritsevets' bust.

The Military Path of the Hero of the Soviet Union

Sergey Ivanovich Gritsevets was born in 1909 and, in his short but eventful life, accomplished many heroic deeds. Notably, many of his achievements were linked not to Belarus or the USSR, but to foreign countries.

Heroic Feats in the Skies of Spain

Between 1936 and 1938, during the Spanish Civil War, Gritsevets proved himself as one of the best fighter pilots. He shot down about forty enemy aircraft, thirty of them in his first year. On one occasion, he managed to destroy seven fascist aircraft in a single day, which significantly influenced the course of the war. For these heroic deeds, the young pilot was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

The Second Award and a Tragic End

Gritsevets received his second Hero of the Soviet Union award in 1939 during the battles on the Khalkhin Gol River, where Soviet forces were fighting the Japanese army. In one battle, he performed an incredible act – rescuing a commander who had ejected from a burning plane and was injured upon landing. The pilot courageously descended into the heat of the battle in his single-seat aircraft to pick up the commander. However, that same year, Gritsevets tragically died during a mission in the village of Bolbasovo, Vitebsk Region.

Commemoration of the Hero

The name of the first twice Hero of the Soviet Union has been immortalized in many cities. In Minsk, a street near the Traktorny Zavod metro station was named after him in 1952. In 1966, a memorial plaque was installed on one of the buildings on this street. Additionally, streets named after Gritsevets exist in Moscow, Orsha, Kharkiv, and other cities of the former USSR.

The Monument to Gritsevets in Minsk

Today, the monument to Sergey Gritsevets can be seen in the heart of Minsk, on the boulevard along Lenin Street. Created in 1955, it was designed by architects G.V. Sysoev and S.S. Musinsky, with sculptural work by the renowned Zair Azgur. The bust, executed in a solemn and austere style, symbolizes the strength and courage of the legendary pilot.

Excursions to the Monument of Sergey Gritsevets

Visiting the monument to Sergey Gritsevets is part of many excursions in Minsk. Tourists interested in military history and heroic past can see the monument as part of military-historical or general sightseeing programs. Its convenient location in the city center makes it easily accessible to all visitors and residents of the capital.