The monument to Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov in the Romanian village of Dumbrăveni, Vrancea County, is dedicated to the great Russian commander. The bronze statue is located on a hill near the city of Focșani, 150 km from Bucharest, in the valley of the Râmnic River. This monument immortalizes the memory of Suvorov and his 'miracle heroes.' The monument was originally erected in November 1913 on a 10-meter pedestal but soon disappeared. In 1959, Romanian sculptor Marcus Butunoiu created a copy based on descriptions and photographs. The fate of the original remains unknown.
During the Russo-Turkish War of 1787-1791, a 100,000-strong Turkish army commanded by Vizier Yusuf Pasha was defeated by a 7,000-strong corps of Russians and an equal number of Austrians led by Suvorov. After the decisive battle, Suvorov declared, 'God is with us, miracle heroes, we have achieved victory here,' which is now inscribed on the pedestal. The Turkish pasha barely escaped captivity, and Turkey struggled for a long time to assemble a new army. For his victories at Focșani and on the Râmnic River, Suvorov was awarded the Order of Saint George 1st class and the title of Count of Râmnic, and from the Austrian Emperor, he received the title of Count of the Holy Roman Empire.
The idea of creating the monument belonged to Romanian King Carol I, who proposed to place it on the hill from which Suvorov commanded the battle. In 1909, while receiving a Russian delegation, the king met the Odessa sculptor Boris Vasilyevich Edwardson, known for his works. Carol I stated that the monument to Suvorov should stand on the Râmnic. Edwardson, after visiting the battlefield, envisioned a statue depicting Suvorov on horseback, leading his soldiers into battle. Upon returning to Russia, he presented the project to Emperor Nicholas II, who approved it and allocated funds for its construction. The emperor also sent a thank-you telegram to the Romanian king.
To oversee the construction of the monument, a joint Romanian-Russian commission was established. The unveiling of the monument took place on November 6, 1913, at the site of the Battle of Râmnic. After the national anthems of Romania and Russia were performed, a Romanian regiment marched in a ceremonial parade, and a memorial service was held.
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