A 4-meter tall granite pedestal features three bronze figures of the city's founders: Nikolai Raevsky, Mikhail Lazarev, and Lazar Serebryakov. On the sides of the pedestal are commemorative plaques with key milestones in the city's history. The composition is completed on both sides by cannons styled in the 19th century.

The pedestal depicts key figures in the city's history, including General Raevsky. Until the 18th century, the current territory of Novorossiysk was under Turkish control until Russian troops captured the fortress of Sujuk in 1791. In 1829, according to the Treaty of Adrianople, the Tsukmes Bay was ceded to Russia. In 1834, General Raevsky decided to establish a base for the Black Sea Fleet in the bay. In September 1838, after receiving permission from St. Petersburg, the Russian squadron entered Tsukmes Bay, and 5,816 men under the command of Raevsky and Vice-Admiral Lazarev landed on the shore. A fort was built on the site of the Turkish fortress, marking the beginning of the future city. The first residents of the military camp faced numerous difficulties, as there were no living conditions, and everything had to be created from scratch.

On January 14, 1839, the fortification in Tsukmes Bay was named "Fortification Novorossiysk" by order of the Minister of War.

In 1841, Lieutenant General Raevsky retired, and his work was continued by Rear Admiral Serebryakov, who became the main organizer of the city. Under him, Novorossiysk transformed from a military camp into an important port and strategic center on the Black Sea coast. Lazar Markovich opened a hospital, a free school for children, and participated in the creation of the city library, earning the title of the first urban planner of Novorossiysk. The embankment where the monument is located is named after him.

The year of the city's founding and the names of its founders are engraved on the front side of the pedestal, above the words "Honor," "Valor," "Glory," which reflect the essence of the composition.

The sculptural group is symmetrical, with careful attention to the costumes and details. On the sides of the pedestal are inscribed the words of Emperor Nicholas I about the creation of the main port at Tsukmes and General Field Marshal Vorontsov about the important role of this area in the future.

The composition is framed by bronze plates on both sides of the pedestal, which indicate important dates in the history of Novorossiysk: September 12, 1838, the landing of troops in Sujuk Bay and the beginning of the construction of the fortification at Tsukmes; December 15, 1846, the official establishment of the port city of Novorossiysk; October 16, 1914, the shelling of the city by the Turkish fleet; March 1920, the collapse of the White movement and the establishment of Soviet power; February 1943, the landing of troops and the creation of the "Malaia Zemlia" bridgehead.

The list concludes with the date September 8, 1994, when a resolution was adopted to form the Novorossiysk naval district.

The history of the city since its founding is reflected in this monument, facing the sea, where three valiant men eternally guard the borders of Tsukmes Bay.