The architectural complex "Creator of the city"

Opening ceremony and lighting of the architectural complex at the Central Square  Togliatti, the center of which is the sculpture of St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra, Miracle was held November 5, 2004. The architectural complex includes the chapel of Christ and the reservoir. The monument is installed in gratitude creators of the city. Sculptor: A. Rukavishnikov.
Perhaps no monument in Togliatti has a turbulent history like this. About him a lot of controversy and debate these began long before the construction. In a Russian tradition to establish a monument to the saint, and even in the open air? What might be the architectural framing figures Miracle? Will the new set of certain core, unifying central square? How technically and financially to cope with a costly addition to the saint in the form of the Belfry, the hill and lake?
In the end, mounted on the central square of the monument to Saint Nicholas is significantly different from the original project. After the opening of the monument fund "Spiritual Heritage" published an appeal to the inhabitants of the city. It reads as follows: "The monument was conceived as a complex architectural arrangement, the central figure of which would be a statue of St. Nicholas, because of old St. Nicholas is considered the patron saint of all good and creative affairs, directly to him were people asking for help and protection in their endeavors, with hope for a miracle ... The complex road to St. Nicholas was rooted in the arch with columns, which correspond to every breath of wind chimes light, covering the net echoes of all the space around them. The road led along the lake, the water which, recalling the transience of earthly life, purifies his thoughts and introduces us to the sacrament of baptism. And gradually, imperceptibly to humans, the road went up, leading, and raising it above the ground. Crowned road bridge to the other shore, where the peace and quiet in the shade of trees in perpetual prayer for us on the rocks sat Nicholas. The bridge, connecting the two banks are, unites two of the world and, looming above the lake, giving a person an opportunity to be alone with the image of the saint. And the only way, passing through the symbolic barriers, man attains purification and spiritual elevation only as a result of the way to the only possible way to Temple.
"Today disrupted the harmony of the project - wrote" Spiritual Heritage "- lost the very idea of Roads memory through purification and enlightenment of the soul. In addition, violated the basic norms of relationships with authors and agents of the idea: all works are carried out without the consent of Rukavishnikov and balls, without supervision and examination ". "It is terrible that this happened in our city - the statement says. - Landing and primitiviziruya creative concept of famous artists, we "roll up the asphalt is not only a monument to the saint, but the very idea of the memory of the past through the purification of this.
Judging from the letter which he sent to the audience at the unveiling Alexander Rukavishnikov, he of the city was not offended. "I came to know - he says - thanks to the organizers of today's celebration with the materials, which allowed me far away, to come closer and examine what is currently in front of your eyes. This brought me a sense of joy and celebration, which I hope will unite us in this moment. Your town I have long-standing good relations ... A name of your town always gives me a sense of gratitude and joy ... my first instinct would be, even whether each of you a hundred times more hands than there are people, mentally shaking all those hands ...