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The arch was built 1827-34 by the architect
O. Bove and sculptor I. Vitali and originally stood on Tverskaya avenue. In
1936 during reconstruction of that square it was torn down to facilitate
traffic. The original sculpted panels are preserved and can be seen on the
grounds of the Donskoy Monastery. Those panels lined the inner gallerys of the
arch had the guards' regiments memorialized in commemoration of Kutuzov's
defeat of Napoleon. In 1968 it was rebuilt at its present location in Victory
square by architect V. Libson. The design is based on Roman triumphal arches.
The height is 28 meters. Bove's alegorical female figures symbolize victory and
the warriors in ancient armor symbolize power. On the frieze are heraldric
shields of Russian cities.
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