What is the largest square in Europe? What country is she in? Let's see.
Battle for the championship
The question of what is the largest area inEurope by area, often causes a wave of controversy. Often referred to as the ceremonial square in Warsaw. However, it is difficult to call it correct, because most of its territory is occupied by two shopping centers and a high-rise building.
This place is also claimed by Freedom Squarein the Ukrainian city of Kharkov. It covers 11.9 hectares. Its shape is not rectangular, so it stretches in length from 690 to 750 meters, and in width from 96 to 125.
Contrary to the considerable size, it is notrecord holder. The largest square in Europe is actually located in Samara. Confusion with Freedom Square was entrenched in Soviet times. Perhaps it appeared thanks to the writer Olesya Gonchar, who called her “the widest and the biggest”.
Then Kharkov was one of the most powerful.industrial centers, the pride of the local population, which could also affect the active maintenance of this legend. This conviction is firmly rooted, so many of Kharkiv sights are now considered the biggest.
The largest square in Europe
The largest is the Kuibyshev Square in Samara.The Red Army, Galaktionovskaya, Vilonovskaya and Chapaevskaya streets flock to it. The area covers as much as 17.4 hectares, of which only 8 are asphalted. On the territory there are many objects.
In size, it is far beyondFreedom Square in Kharkov. As well as the Red Square in Moscow, the Palace in St. Petersburg. This is really a record shift. From all four corners, the largest square in Europe is framed by small squares with flower beds, lawns and bushes.
In its center is a monument to the party leader.and the revolutionary Valerian Kuibyshev. Its author is the famous architect Matvey Manizer, who worked in the style of socialist realism, and also created the death mask of Stalin.
The main object of the square is SamaraAcademic Opera and Ballet Theater. The building covers more than two hectares of territory. It was built in 1931. The theater belongs to the pilonad style, it is considered a classic example of neo-classicism of the 30s.
History
Before Kuybyshev Square had other names.Throughout its history, she managed to visit the Cathedral and Communal. This place was determined for her back in 1853. Samara was a fairly prestigious city, so there should have been a decent-sized area in it. The planned parameters were 525 by 325 meters.
На месте музыкального театра располагался The cathedral, which can accommodate 2500 people. Its construction lasted from 1869 to 1894. At the same time the squares were laid, called Nikolaev in honor of the royal heir.
После революции площадь несколько изменилась.It became known as the Communal, and its size increased. To destroy the cathedral, the new government took two years. It was replaced by the House of Culture, which housed the Empire Hall for 1250 seats, a library and a museum.
In 1935, the largest square in Europe began to bear the name of Kuibyshev. In 2010 there was an attempt to return its historical name, but the city authorities decided not to support this idea.
Significant events
Placement of the House of Culture on the square made itimportant center of urban life. During the war, there have been many performances. In 1941, a military parade took place on the territory of the square simultaneously with the parade on Red Square in Moscow.
In 1942 in the Kuibyshev Theater Shostakovichfor the first time he performed the legendary 7th or “Leningrad” symphony. He began writing the second part of the symphony during the siege of Leningrad; it was in Samara that he completed his work.
One of the high-profile events is also a rally during the period of perestroika. It occurred on June 22, 1988 and, according to many historians, marked the beginning of the end of the USSR.
