In the famous town of Velikie Luki, on the banks of the river Lovat, near the fortress stands a large sculpture of the monument dedicated to the Hero of Soviet Union Alexander Matrosov. The opening of the monument took place in the summer of July 5, 1954. The authors of the project are known architect Artamonov V. A. and sculptor E. V. Vuchetich Monument is located on the main square, named after the Hero.

If to judge according to the official version, Alexander Matveyevich Matrosov was born 5 February 1924 in the small town of Dnepropetrovsk (at that time it was called Ekaterinoslav). As a child, young Alexander left without parents and education was held in Melekess and Ivanovo orphanages that are located in the Ulyanovsk region. After Alexander had attended seven years of school, he went to work as an assistant teacher in a labor camp in the city of Ufa.

In the second version, real name Alexander Matrosov - Muhamedjanov Chakerian junuzovic and he was born in Bashkiria in the village of Kunanbaeva. If you believe this information, he took the surname of Sailors, as he became homeless after he escaped from home because of the new marriage of his father, and decided to record it under that name in the orphanage. It is worth noting that Sailors called themselves only Matrosova.

From September 1942 Alexander began his studies in infantry Krasnokholmskiy College, and soon after I started, in January 1943, the outstanding cadets were sent to war on the Kalinin front. Here Sailors served in the second infantry battalion of the 91st separate Siberian volunteer brigade named after Stalin. After a while the Sailors moved to 254 infantry regiment.

Winter 27 February 1943, received an order from the second battalion to attack the stronghold near the village of black cumin. The task was taken on execution. In the moment when Soviet soldiers crossed the forest and reached the edge of the forest, it was firing incessant machine-gun fire German opponents, with three guns fully covered for any of the outskirts of the small village. One of the guns were able to suppress the assault group of anti-tank Riflemen and submachine. The second bunker was engaged in a different composition of anti-tank Riflemen. The third gun, and continued the bombardment of the gully, located before the village. All attempts to get him to stop firing was not successful. Then towards the bunker slipped two privates, Sailors and Cucumbers. Soon the Cucumber was seriously injured and Sailors decided to act alone: he crawled to the breast with a cross to side and threw two grenades, and then the gun stopped. As soon as Soviet fighters rose into the attack, the machine gun began to fire. At that moment, the Sailors stood up and abruptly rushed to the bunker, covering his body recess. Thanks to the feat of Alexander Matrosov, who gave his life, Soviet fighters were able to fulfill its task.

The feat of Alexander Matrosov has become a symbol of valor and courage, and fearlessness, and genuine love of country. June 19, 1943 Alexander Matrosov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union posthumously.

When planning the erection of a monument it was decided to build it on the grave of Alexander Matveyevich Matrosov. The existing remains were transported to Great Luke from a small village called Nigella, where Sailors and made his momentous feat immortal.

Statue of Alexander Matrosov is made of bronze and stands on a granite pedestal. The height of the pedestal is 4, 32 meters, and the height of the statue - 4, 2 meters. Directly on the monument there is a memorial inscription, which States that private Alexander Matrosov, which 1924-1943 years, 23 February 1943 in a fierce and decisive battle against the German invaders for the right mastering the village of black cumin, sacrificed his life than provided a significant success of the coming OU.

The famous hero was dedicated to works of visual art, literature and film.