Chapaev Museum, Cheboksary, Cheboksary, Chuvashia, Russia
Vasili Chapaev – the celebrated Soviet commander during the Russian Civil War – was born in 1887 in the village of Budaika which has since been incorporated into the city of Cheboksary. After his death by drowning in the River Ural in 1919 he gained legendary status and was further immortalised in Soviet propaganda. This museum detailing his life and feats was opened in 1974 in the gardens bearing his name and contains many documents, photos and items connected with Chapaev and his family.
Immediately next to the main building of the museum is the small wooden house where Chapaev was actually born. Today it can be visited as an exposition of the museum and its interior has been restored to how it would have looked when Chapaev lived there.
Also within the gardens is a statue of the man himself on horseback riding into battle, which stands on a tall pedestal. The monument was unveiled in 1960 and has since become one of the symbols of Cheboksary.
Epic Russia Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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