Attacking Cavalryman Statue, Iasi
Encyclopedia
The Attacking Cavalryman Statue in Iaşi
, Romania
or The Prunaru Charge (Şarja de la Prunaru)) is a bronze monument executed by sculptor Ioan C. Dimitriu-Bârlad and unvelied in 1927. One of the city's signature monuments, it is located in front of the SuperCopou store, across the street from the main entrance to Copou Garden
.
. Funds were collected through pledges, in the obtaining of which the wife of General Naum, commander of the division, played an important role.
The monument seeks to remind succeeding generations of the sacrifice made by the soldiers of the 2nd Roşiori cavalry regiment, who undertook the bloody Prunaru Charge
in defence of the road to Bucharest
at the end of November 1916; of 5,000 troops, just 134 emerged alive.
The statue depicts a bronze allegory composed of two groups symbolizing Victory and Sacrifice. Victory is represented by a cavalryman on horseback advancing in full charge, with a helmet on his head and a spear in his hand, accompanied by a nymph who has a crown of laurels in her outstretched hand. The nymph symbolizes a guardian angel, or the mother, wife or daughter whom the hero would never see again.
The pedestal is six metres high and includes a crypt of Sacrifice, which is entered through the Gate of Immortality (also made of bronze) with a bas-relief representing Sacrifice: a mortally wounded horseman falling into the arms of an angel who crowns his brow with laurels. Inside the crypt there is a candle, illuminated with electric light, that keeps eternal watch over the names carved into marble at the sides of the pedestal.
Each of the pedestal's four sides had bronze bas-reliefs with images from the battles fought by the 2nd cavalry division at Prunaru, Măgheruş, the Dniester
and Tisza
-Budapest
. Currently, one of the four bas-reliefs (at the back of the right side) is missing.
On the left side of the pedestal, between two bas-reliefs, a marble plaque reads: "În anul 1927 sub glorioasa domnie a M.S. Regelui Ferdinand I" ("In the year 1927 under the glorious reign of H.M. King Ferdinand I
"). On the right side of the pedestal, between a bas-reliefs and the space that once held another, a second marble plaque reads: "Divizia 2-a Cavalerie recunoscătoare acelor cari s'au sacrificat pentru ţară în răsboiul întregirei neamului 1916-1919" ("The 2nd Cavalry Division honours those who sacrificed themselves for the country in the war for the union of our people 1916-1919").
, Princess Ileana
, Princess Helen
and the young crown prince Michael
. King Ferdinand, who would die that July 20, was gravely ill and thus did not attend.
The unveiling happened at 11:30 am, after Princess Olga Sturdza's Union Monument
, which had been unveiled at 10:15.
The monument was initially surrounded by a small garden, but in 1968 today's SuperCopou store, as well as the Copou cinema, were built behind it.
Iasi
Iași is the second most populous city and a municipality in Romania. Located in the historical Moldavia region, Iași has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
or The Prunaru Charge (Şarja de la Prunaru)) is a bronze monument executed by sculptor Ioan C. Dimitriu-Bârlad and unvelied in 1927. One of the city's signature monuments, it is located in front of the SuperCopou store, across the street from the main entrance to Copou Garden
Copou Park
The Copou Park is a historic park located in the Copou Hill neighborhood, Iaşi, Romania. A landmark of Iaşi, with centuries old trees, Copou Park is one of the first Romanian coordinated public parks.-History:...
.
Symbolism
The statue was produced at the initiative of the 2nd Romanian cavalry division who fought in World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Funds were collected through pledges, in the obtaining of which the wife of General Naum, commander of the division, played an important role.
The monument seeks to remind succeeding generations of the sacrifice made by the soldiers of the 2nd Roşiori cavalry regiment, who undertook the bloody Prunaru Charge
Prunaru Charge
The Prunaru Charge was one of the most daring actions of the Romanian Armed Forces in World War I. The cavalry charge took place on in Prunaru , and was a component operation of the Battle of Bucharest....
in defence of the road to Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
at the end of November 1916; of 5,000 troops, just 134 emerged alive.
The statue depicts a bronze allegory composed of two groups symbolizing Victory and Sacrifice. Victory is represented by a cavalryman on horseback advancing in full charge, with a helmet on his head and a spear in his hand, accompanied by a nymph who has a crown of laurels in her outstretched hand. The nymph symbolizes a guardian angel, or the mother, wife or daughter whom the hero would never see again.
The pedestal is six metres high and includes a crypt of Sacrifice, which is entered through the Gate of Immortality (also made of bronze) with a bas-relief representing Sacrifice: a mortally wounded horseman falling into the arms of an angel who crowns his brow with laurels. Inside the crypt there is a candle, illuminated with electric light, that keeps eternal watch over the names carved into marble at the sides of the pedestal.
Each of the pedestal's four sides had bronze bas-reliefs with images from the battles fought by the 2nd cavalry division at Prunaru, Măgheruş, the Dniester
Dniester
The Dniester is a river in Eastern Europe. It runs through Ukraine and Moldova and separates most of Moldova's territory from the breakaway de facto state of Transnistria.-Names:...
and Tisza
Tisza
The Tisza or Tisa is one of the main rivers of Central Europe. It rises in Ukraine, and is formed near Rakhiv by the junction of headwaters White Tisa, whose source is in the Chornohora mountains and Black Tisa, which springs in the Gorgany range...
-Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
. Currently, one of the four bas-reliefs (at the back of the right side) is missing.
On the left side of the pedestal, between two bas-reliefs, a marble plaque reads: "În anul 1927 sub glorioasa domnie a M.S. Regelui Ferdinand I" ("In the year 1927 under the glorious reign of H.M. King Ferdinand I
Ferdinand I of Romania
Ferdinand was the King of Romania from 10 October 1914 until his death.-Early life:Born in Sigmaringen in southwestern Germany, the Roman Catholic Prince Ferdinand Viktor Albert Meinrad of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, later simply of Hohenzollern, was a son of Leopold, Prince of...
"). On the right side of the pedestal, between a bas-reliefs and the space that once held another, a second marble plaque reads: "Divizia 2-a Cavalerie recunoscătoare acelor cari s'au sacrificat pentru ţară în răsboiul întregirei neamului 1916-1919" ("The 2nd Cavalry Division honours those who sacrificed themselves for the country in the war for the union of our people 1916-1919").
Unveiling
The statue was unveiled on Sunday, May 29, 1927, before Queen MarieMarie of Edinburgh
Marie of Romania was Queen consort of Romania from 1914 to 1927, as the wife of Ferdinand I of Romania.-Early life:...
, Princess Ileana
Princess Ileana of Romania
Princess Ileana of Romania was the youngest daughter of Ferdinand I of Romania, King of the Romanians, and his consort Queen Marie of Romania. She was born Her Royal Highness Ileana, Princess of Romania, Princess of Hohenzollern...
, Princess Helen
Elena of Greece and Denmark
Princess Helen of Greece and Denmark was the wife of King Carol II of Romania and the mother of King Michael I of Romania...
and the young crown prince Michael
Michael I of Romania
Michael was the last King of Romania. He reigned from 20 July 1927 to 8 June 1930, and again from 6 September 1940 until 30 December 1947 when he was forced, by the Communist Party of Romania , to abdicate to the Soviet armies of occupation...
. King Ferdinand, who would die that July 20, was gravely ill and thus did not attend.
The unveiling happened at 11:30 am, after Princess Olga Sturdza's Union Monument
Union Monument, Iasi
Union Monument , a monument of white marble in the Romanian city of Iaşi, was designed by Princess Olga Sturdza and unveiled in 1927 at the base of Carol Boulevard...
, which had been unveiled at 10:15.
The monument was initially surrounded by a small garden, but in 1968 today's SuperCopou store, as well as the Copou cinema, were built behind it.