Центральный музей Великой Отечественной войны 1941-1945 гг

Nike and St.George adorn the obelisk which at 141.8 m represents 10cm for each day of the War

Housed within the walls of the structure that frames the 141.8m obelisk in Victory Park is Центральный музей Великой Отечественной войны 1941-1945 гг (The Museum of the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945).  The various displays, dioramas, photographs and artifacts found within its walls chronicle Russia's role in the world conflict that Russians know as "The Great Patriotic War".

The imposing Soviet era building boasts marble-lined floors, grand salons and austere yet utilitarian spaces to showcase the history and artifacts that form the legacy of the past.

Thankfully, I had Mr. U by my side to translate the more in-depth texts and guide me through the historical events of Russia's history.

 

 

The dioramas were expertly executed.  It was difficult to tell what was painted and what was an actual artifact/object.

Battle of Moscow

Siege of Leningrad

Battle of Kursk

Forcing of the Dniepr

Berlin

Berlin

The Hall of Glory houses the "Soldier of Victory" and the walls are inscribed with the names of the 11,800 recipients of the Hero of the Soviet Union distinction.

 

Spread throughout the museum were examples of the propaganda spread during the Great Patriotic War.  Here are two that struck me in particular.

Hand puppets of Hitler and Mussolini -Spitting Image precursors, I suppose!

Various artifacts taken from the camps were on display -some I had never seen before with my own eyes and others that I had.

Zyklon B

Extracted Teeth

Uniforms, medals, flags and paraphernalia of the defeated Nazi forces were kept as an historical record.

Soviet soldiers holding the colours of defeated enemy units

Flags, Iron Crosses, patches

Two enormous marble scrolls mounted on opposite walls separated by a grand staircase recounted the battle plans by the Nazis on Moscow and the retaliatory plans by the Russians on Berlin.

"Hitlerian Plan of War Against the CCCP -Plan Barbarossa"

central staircase embellishments

"Decisive role of the Soviet Union in the defeat of Fascist Germany"

Throughout the museum there were many artifacts on display from uniforms to weaponry to historical records of defining events in Russia's history.

The museum is awash in national pride.