The Monument to Soviet Soldiers was constructed between 1969 and 1971 by a team ofarchitects led by chief architect A.Khishigt and assisted by architectsT.Mishig, N.Urtnasan, D.Ulziikhishig, construction engineers S.Ya.Kuznetsov,I.Badai, sculptors Ts.Dorjsuren, T.Zulzaga, artists Ya.Urjnee and B.Dorjkhand.The memorial comlex is composed of the Heroes’ Statue, stairs and road to themomunent, parking lot, a plaza and an eternal flame and thoroughly reflects theidea of eternity of fraternal friendship between the peoples of Mongolia andthe Soviet Union. The memorial starts with a plaza on the northern foot ofZaisan Hill and monumental symbols of two nations – the Mongolian Soyombo andthe Soviet Hammer and Cicle. The wall on the plaza has words “Here the memoryof Soviet soldiers, forever enshrined, in the sky with the sun and in the soilwith the fire” inscribed in copper, in Mongolian and Russian languages. Fromhere a 612-step, 300 meter-long staircase lead to the Heroes" Monument on topof the hill; and a 680 meter-long paved road reaches the middle section of thehill, allowing for vehicles to reach the halfway of its total height.

�

Themonument itself resembles the Mongolian fireplace, symbolizing life. This lifewas brought by the sacrifice of fallen Soviet heroes, and the independence ofMongolia ows great deal of debt to the Red Army soldiers who are epitomized bya 27 meter-tall statue holding the banner of victory in the right hand and amachine gun in the left hand. The ceremonial plaza to its side features anotherinscription in both Mongolian and Russian, "Your precious lives in uscontinue, your glorious deeds in life immortal." In place of honor restthe samples of soil from Altanbulag, the cradle of the People"s Revolution,Tolbo Lake and Khalkhyn Gol where two fraternal armies fought shoulder toshoulder against common enemies, and Soviet heroic cities of the Great Patriotic War.