Good Angel of Peace (Orenburg)

The Good Angel of Peace is an architectural and sculptural monument in Orenburg, at 2 Parkovy Prospekt: a gilded guardian angel holding a dove, raised on a tall column. It was unveiled on 28 June 2008 and is part of the Pride and Glory of Orenburg park complex next to the Alley of Heroes.

History

The monument was created under the international Good Angel of Peace project run by the International Charitable Foundation Patrons of the Century. Angel figures from this project stand in a number of cities, each dedicated to peace, kindness and charity. The Orenburg angel was unveiled on 28 June 2008.

The artistic concept is credited to the architect P. G. Kantaev and the sculptor A. B. Emaev. According to local history sources, a Golden Book of Nations listing the people and patrons who took part in the project was laid in the foundation. As part of the project, the foundation gave Orenburg the honorary title of City of Peace and its own award, the Order of Peace.

What to see

The monument is about nine metres high in total. The three-metre golden angel stands on a six-metre four-sided column. The angel steps on a hemisphere representing the Earth, and the dove in its hands stands for peace and hope.

The column rests on a square pedestal with inscriptions carved on all four sides. The front describes the composition and names the authors of its artistic concept. The back, headed "Orenburg Patrons of the Centuries", lists philanthropists of the past. The sides carry words of thanks for the financial support and help in building the complex, along with the organisations and individuals who gave it.

From the angel, a walkway leads to the Alley of Heroes, with 20 memorial plaques bearing the names of Heroes of the Soviet Union, holders of the Order of Glory and honorary citizens of Orenburg. Together they form the Pride and Glory of Orenburg complex, a short walk from a symbol of peace to the names of the city's notable people.

Legends and accounts

Residents and visitors write that, as its creators intended, the angel guards the city from misfortune and brings everyone kindness, peace and harmony. For many people in Orenburg it has become one of the city's recognisable landmarks, a reminder of peace, hope, charity and the deeds of local heroes.

Getting there

The Good Angel of Peace stands at 2 Parkovy Prospekt in Orenburg. Take a city bus or trolleybus to a stop on Parkovy Prospekt and walk to the square with the column; the golden angel is visible from a distance. The monument is in the open air and can be visited at any time.