Monument to the Varyag cruiser


On the embankment of the South Korean city ​​of Incheon there is a monument to the cruiser Varyag. This symbol of the courage of Russian sailors was created to honor the memory of the heroes who fought in the battles during the Russo-Japanese War. To tourists it is interesting as one of the cultural attractions of the country.

The cruiser "Varyag" feat

In the distant 1904 in the port of Chemulpo (present Incheon), the boat "Korean" and the cruiser "Varyag" entered the battle, unequal in strength. They fought with 15 ships of the military Japanese squadron. As a result of the brutal battle, 200 sailors were injured, and more than 30 heroically died. The cruiser received 5 holes and lost most of the guns. The decision took an unforeseen and lightning fast: so that the enemy did not get the "Varyag", the sailors flooded him. Only years later the Japanese appreciated the incredible courage of Russian sailors. The captain and the rest of the crew were awarded orders, and the exploit of the "Varyag" is still cited as an example of "the honor of the samurai".

The sad fate of the heroic ship

The cruiser "Varyag" did not finish his story on this. A year after the battle in the port of Incheon, the Japanese raised the ship from the bottom. Then he was included as a training ship in his fleet. In 1916, the cruiser was bought and forwarded by Russia to the UK for repairs. But the October Revolution confiscated him for his royal debts. In 1924 the Varyag was sold for scrapping, during transportation it fell into a violent storm and as a result sank near the coast of Scotland. Against the last haven of the heroic ship was also installed a monument.

Acknowledgments

The monument to the cruiser Varyag in Korea was opened on February 10, 2004 in the port of Incheon. It was on this day 100 years ago in the waters of the Korean Strait sank the gunboat Korean and the cruiser Varyag. Not surprisingly, the author of the monument was the famous sculptor of Russia Andrei Balashov. The monument is made of black marble, and more like a stone with a lonely cap lying on top of it. On both sides of the monument are planted birches, symbols of the Russian people.

At the opening of the monument, a ceremony was held with the participation of the Korean and Russian military. The last arrived at the port on the ships of the Pacific Fleet detachment. After the official part of the ship, the Pacific Fleet took part in Russian-Korean naval exercises.

Also, a memorial plaque was opened on the building of the former Red Cross hospital in Incheon. It was there that the surviving sailors of the cruiser "Varyag" were on treatment after the heroic battle.

How to visit and how to get there?

You can see the monument at any time, and you can get to the monument of the cruiser "Varyag" in the following way. On the metro (line No. 1) get off at the stations and then follow the bus: