Location Central Chişinău Opening date April 29, 1958 | Type Sculptural complex Beginning date 1957 | |
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Dedicated to Romanian cultural elite Similar Ștefan cel Mare Central P, Stephen the Great Monument, Triumphal arch - Chișinău, Măzărache Church, Chișinău Water Tower | ||
The Alley of Classics (Romanian: Aleea Clasicilor) is a sculptural complex located in the Stephen the Great Park in Central Chişinău, Moldova.
Contents
Overview
The alley is decorated on both sides with red granite busts of classic Romanian literary figures and political leaders from Moldova. The alley is located between the Ştefan cel Mare boulevard and the bronze bust of Alexander Pushkin, set on a granite column and made by Russian sculptor Alexander Opekushin. The alley was built and received its name in 1958 and became one of the most important tourist attractions in Chişinău. At first there were only twelve sculptures but after the fall of the Soviet Union, the local authorities added busts of Romanian and Moldovan writers and poets that were banned during the Soviet regime.
The idea of a sculptural complex was launched by the interwar sculptor Alexandru Plămădeală, who dream to create an open-air museum. Just during the Khrushchev Thaw, the Alley of Classics was unveliled on April 29, 1958 in the Stephen the Great Park (former "A.S. Puşkin" Park). The sculptural complex from Cişmigiu Gardens in Bucharest served as a model.
Busts
The Alley of Classics contains 28 busts (including that of Alexander Pushkin, lying at the head of the alley) in alphabetical order.