The Story Behind Europe's Tallest Statue: The Motherland Calls | National Geographic

[Music]

Mr. O'Reilly, 300ccs. Don't name our canoes. No visible earth, it has the scale of America's National Mall and the seriousness of Pearl Harbor. Combine them, and that's what it feels like to visit Mammoth Gorgon, the memorial complex for the Battle of Stalingrad. Over 1 million Russian soldiers fell here. It is a place of healing for veterans, the city, and the entire country.

The heart of the complex is the immense statue, Motherland Calls, nearly twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty. Its power lies not only in what is seen, but also in what lies beneath. Below its base lay the remains of nearly 35,000 unidentified soldiers. Its staggering size represents not only the huge price paid by the Russian people in the war but also its enormous meaning in every Russian's heart.

It notes in a much that the speeches know. What this reevaluate? Mamaev Kurgan isn't just a place of mourning; it's also one of hope. Entering the Hall of Warrior Glory feels like stepping into a memorial service. The hands stretching from the ground carry the flame of peace on the fallen to the future generations. Both of my grandfathers fought in World War Two.

Although I found my visit to Mamaev Kurgan emotionally difficult, it is one I will never forget. [Music]