The biggest square in Europe. History and description of the square

What is the largest area in Europe? In which country is it located? Let's figure it out.

The battle for primacy

The question of which is the largest area in Europe by area, often causes a wave of controversy. Often called a parade area in Warsaw. However, it is difficult to call it correct, because most of its territory is occupied by two shopping centers and a high-rise building.

This area is also claimed by Freedom Square in the Ukrainian city of Kharkov. It occupies 11.9 hectares. Its shape is not rectangular, so in length it stretches from 690 to 750 meters, and in width - from 96 to 125.

Contrary to its size, it is not a record holder. The largest square in Europe is actually located in Samara. The confusion with Liberty Square was fixed in Soviet times. Perhaps it came about thanks to the writer Olesya Gonchar, who called her "the widest and biggest."

Then Kharkov was one of the most powerful industrial centers, the pride of the local population, which could also affect the active maintenance of this legend. This belief is firmly entrenched, so many of Kharkov's landmarks are still considered to be the largest.

The largest square in Europe

The largest is the Kuibyshev square in Samara. To her flock Krasnoarmeyskaya, Galaktionovskaya, Vilonovskaya and Chapaevskaya streets. The area occupies as much as 17.4 hectares, of which only 8 are asphalted. There are many objects on the territory.

In size, it significantly exceeds not only the Freedom Square in Kharkov. And also Red Square in Moscow, Dvortsovaya in St. Petersburg. This is really a recess. From all four corners the largest square in Europe is framed by small squares with flower beds, lawns and shrubs.

In its center is a monument to the party figure and revolutionary Valerian Kuibyshev. Its author is the well-known architect Matvey Manizer, who worked in the style of socialist realism, and also created the death mask of Stalin.

The main object of the square is the Samara Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. The building covers more than two hectares of territory. It was built in 1931. The theater is considered a pylon-style, it is considered a classic example of neoclassicism of the 1930s.

History

Before, the Kuibyshev area had other names. During her history she managed to visit Sobornaya and Kommunalnaya. This place for her was defined as far back as 1853. Samara was a fairly prestigious city, so it should have a decent size area. The planned parameters were 525 by 325 meters.

On the site of the musical theater was the Cathedral, which housed 2500 people. Its construction lasted from 1869 to 1894. At the same time, the public gardens, named Nikolayevsky in honor of the tsar's heir, were laid.

After the revolution, the area changed somewhat. It became known as the Communal, and its size increased. To destroy the cathedral, the new government took two years. It was replaced by the House of Culture, which housed an Empire hall for 1250 seats, a library and a museum.

In 1935, the largest square in Europe began to bear the name of Kuibyshev. In 2010 there was an attempt to return its historical name, but the city authorities decided not to support this idea.

Notable events

Accommodation of the House of Culture on the square made it an important center of city life. During the war, performances were given many times here. In 1941, on the territory of the square, there was a military parade simultaneously with a parade on Red Square in Moscow.

In 1942, at the Kuibyshev Theater, Shostakovich performed the legendary 7th or "Leningrad" symphony for the first time. The second part of the symphony he began to write during the siege of Leningrad, it was in Samara that he completed his work.

One of the high-profile events is also a rally in the period of perestroika. It occurred on June 22, 1988, and, according to many historians, marked the beginning of the end of the USSR.