There are a lot of unusual sights in Russia. The times when the main places in any city were the museum of local lore and the monument to V.I. Lenin in the central square, go back to the distant past. Today tourists in any city will find what to see from new and interesting sights. Did you know that there is a square of Siberian cats in Tyumen?
Competition for the best project
At the site where today is located a cat's square, there was previously a small nameless park. It was decided to equip and decorate in a new way to the city day in 2008. The exact subject and idea of ennobling the territory was not. Therefore, the city authorities invited local architects to show their imagination and offer any projects suitable for the existing zone. The winner of the contest was Marina Alchibaeva - a gifted girl who proposed to turn anonymous alley into the Siberian cats.
How cats Leningrad saved
Why cats? This question arises from many who are acquainted with the landmark for the first time. The sculptor admits that the source of inspiration was one entertaining legend. During the Great Patriotic War in besieged Leningrad, locals ate all their cats. Left without natural enemies, rats started to grow in a terrible progression in the city. These animals flooded everything, instantly destroyed any food in the liberated city, damaged furniture and interiors of houses, and sometimes even allegedly attacked people. Residents of Tyumen learned about the incident and rushed to help the people of Leningrad, sending them a whole car of Siberian cats, famous for their hunting abilities. The legend says that everything ended safely, the tailed survived the road and quickly cleared the city of rats. It was in honor of the four-legged heroes who set out to liberate Leningrad, the square of Siberian cats was created.
Description of sight
In total, you can see twelve cats and kittens in natural positions in the park. Each sculpture is unique, the animals in the park jump, sit, lie, wash and scratch. Monuments of cats are made of cast iron and are covered with gold paint. Animals are located on granite pedestals, and sometimes on lampposts. Also in the park there is a sign telling about how the Hermitage saved the cats. An updated recreation area is very popular with the residents of the city. In summer, cats, just like living ones, look out of the bushes, and in the winter reign supreme on their pedestals. According to the author of the project, Marina Alchibaeva, these animals symbolize kindness, affection and homeliness. Many residents of Tyumen agree with the architect. In the cat's square, lovers are regularly met, many of the newlyweds of the city come here during the wedding.
Where is the park of cats?
With its fame and unquenchable public interest, this landmark is due in part to the location. The square of Siberian cats is located in the heart of the city on Pervomayskaya street. For today it is one of the most popular sights of the city, included in all the guidebooks. This place enthralls children and does not leave indifferent adults, be sure to visit at the first opportunity the square of Siberian cats. Tyumen is a modern city, in which there are many interesting monuments and beautiful places. But still the cat lane is one of the brightest and most unusual sights of the city. Do not forget to take a camera with you for a walk, tailed in their own park with a happy pose for photographs with all comers.