In Estonia, the only monument to Pirogov is located in Tartu on Toomemägi Hill. Its unveiling took place in December 1952. The park where the monument is installed is popular among students, who gather at its foot with the arrival of spring. Nearby is the university where the outstanding Russian physician shared his knowledge with future doctors in the 19th century. After the monument was unveiled, a saying appeared in Tartu: "Birds arrive, which means spring has come." In Tartu, it sounds like "Students gather, which means spring has come," as medical university students often meet at Pirogov's monument.

The monument was created by a group of sculptors: J. Raudsepp, P. Tarvas, A. Volberg, and M. Melder, but guides often mention only Raudsepp.

The monument is a bust of the surgeon, set on a high granite pedestal. The pedestal bears the years of Nikolai Ivanovich's life and his name in Russian. At the lower part of the second section of the pedestal, there is a coat of arms with medical symbolism.