Princess Turandot Fountain-Monument, Moscow

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Princess Turandot Fountain-Monument, Moscow

Princess Turandot Fountain-Monument, Moscow

Walking past the Vakhtangov State Academic Theater on Arbat, one of the top theaters in Moscow much loved by many generations of the locals, you can't help noticing a fountain crowned with a bronze sculpture. This fountain-monument, consistent with the Old Arbat atmosphere, was built in the late 1990s by sculptor Alexander Burganov to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Vakhtangov production of Turandot play by Carlo Gozzi. A legendary success from the outset, this show has been on since 1922 and its main heroine, a wayward Princess Turandot, has become a true symbol of the theater.

In the central part of the fountain is a large oval bowl fitted with an installation – a throne on a dais inside a small alcove upon which sits the princess clad in the sparkling gilt under an openwork canopy. The surrounding long stone bench invites many a stroller to sit down and relax in its cool on a hot summer day. At night, the monument is illuminated, creating a romantic setting for couples.

Back in the early 2000s, though, the monument drew rather unfortunate attention when the vandals, attracted by the gilded metal of the statue, sawed off the princess's hand. Luckily, it was soon completely restored and been carefully guarded ever since.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Moscow. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Princess Turandot Fountain-Monument on Map

Sight Name: Princess Turandot Fountain-Monument
Sight Location: Moscow, Russia (See walking tours in Moscow)
Sight Type: Statue/Public Art
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Moscow, Russia

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