On the high bank of the Oka River, in the city’s Oka Park, stands a bronze monument to Ilya Muromets. It was erected in 1999 and quickly became a beloved symbol of the city. The monument was created by the famous Russian sculptor Vyacheslav Klykov, who has made numerous monuments across Russia, including the monument to Alexander Nevsky in Kursk and Marshal Zhukov in Moscow.

The grand opening of the monument took place on August 1, 1999, at the site of the former Kremlin, near the picturesque embankment of Murom. Immediately after its opening, the monument became a popular spot for newlyweds. In the figure of Ilya Muromets, the sculptor embodied the image of a warrior-monk: he is dressed in chain mail and a monastic robe, wearing a helmet, holding a cross in his left hand, and a sword raised in admonition to enemies in his right. His gaze is directed towards the Oka, where the border of Russian lands once lay. The height of the monument is 21 meters, and griffins, symbolizing power and victory, are placed at its base.

The monument to Ilya Muromets has deep symbolic significance, reflecting martial valor and the triumph of Orthodoxy. After its installation, many residents of Murom learned that Ilya was their fellow countryman. Historians believe that the hero's homeland is the village of Karacharovo near Murom, where Ilya, known as 'Chobitok', was born in the 12th century. He was unable to move for a long time due to paralysis, but after a miraculous healing, he went to serve Prince Vladimir in Kyiv. Before his death, Ilya took monastic vows, and his relics rest in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Anthropological studies confirm that his legs were paralyzed for a long time but then recovered.

In Karacharovo, traces of Ilya Muromets' presence remain, including a memorial plaque at the site of his hut and springs that arose from the impact of his horse's hooves. The Murom Museum has an exhibition dedicated to the hero, and in the museum's yard lies an oak stump that, according to legend, Ilya uprooted. The image of the folk hero inspired Vyacheslav Klykov to create a monument symbolizing victory and unity for Russia. The sculptor believes that Russians need to realize their unity to achieve victory. And for many centuries, the bronze Ilya Muromets will stand guard over the Russian land.