Monument to Prince Mikhail Tversky, Tver, Tver Oblast, Russia
Monument of Prince Michael Tversky or Michael of Tver is dedicated to one of the most famous leaders of Tver. The equestrian statue of the medieval prince was designed by sculptor Andrei Kovalchuk.
Monument of Prince Michael Tversky was opened on May 23, 2008. It was part of the celebration in honor of Russian day of Slavic Writing and Culture (celebrated on May 24). Prince Michael Tversky is notable Russiian leader who lived in late 13th and early 14th century. He was nephew of Alexander Nevsky and just like his famous uncle Prince Michael earned significant military victories. The most famous occurred in December 1317.
Russian troops under his command faced Tartar army at the Battle of Bortenevo in Staritskiy district of Tver Oblast. Mongol cavalry was defeated by Russians or the first time. However khan Uzbek ordered a new military expedition deep inside Russian territory to massacre Tver and its people along with their leader. Prince Michael became aware of this.
His army was depleted and he couldn’t mount a serious response to the whole Mongol army. Instead of fleeing West or sacrificing his troops, he decided to sacrifice himself for the good of his people. He travelled unarmed to North Caucasus mountains to met Khan Uzbek.
There Prince Michael of Tver was tortured and finally killed. Coffin with the body of murdered monarch was transferred back to his native city where he was buried in the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral on the banks of Volga river. This church was blown up in 1937 as part of atheistic campaign against religion. A century later Prince Michael was canonized as a Saint by Russian Orthodox Church.
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