Sukhbaatar Square is located in the heart of the Mongolian capital city, Ulaanbaatar. It was renamed Genghis Khan Square in 2004 to honor one of Mongolia’s most famous historical figures.
The square is a popular tourist attraction and is frequently used for public gatherings. This is something you don’t want to miss if you’re in the city center.
History of Sukhbaatar Square
In the early 1800s, when Ulaanbaatar was still in its infancy, a large square was constructed with the name “Great Freedom” (Ikh Choloo) on it. After the People’s Revolution of 1921, the area was called “Indrin Square” and was renamed “Damdin Sukhbaatar Square” in 1946 to honor the Mongolian independence hero.
In 2013, the city’s authorities chose to rename it for a more famous Mongolian figure, Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan), but Sükhbaatar’s descendants contested the decision. They were successful in their lawsuit in 2016 and got their court case back on track with its old title, despite popular usage to refer to Genghis Khan or Chinggis Square.
When was Sukhbaatar Square built?
We don’t know when Sukhbaatar Square was constructed, but it is believed to have been erected at the same time as Ulaanbaatar in the early 1800s.
Sukhbaatar Square size
Sukhbaatar Square is a large public square in the heart of Ulaanbaatar. It covers an area of approximately 30,000 square meters. Genghis Khan’s monument, as well as Ögedei and Kublai Khan’s, stands on the northern side of the square directly in front of the White Palace (Government Palace). Damdin Sükhbaatar is depicted riding a horse in the center of the square.
Sukhbaatar statue
The equestrian statue of General D. Sukhbaatar is located in the middle of the square. It was built in 1946 according to the design of sculptor S. Choimbol, and it was opened in a festive manner on July 8, before the 25th anniversary of the People’s Revolution.
The statute is 12 meters long and 4 meters tall. General Sukhbaatar is depicted as standing on high ground with his horse and addressing the crowd with his arms outstretched. The statue is encircled by 14 lion sculptures connected by 208 iron bonds, which means “Mongolia is an inviolable fortress.”
The equestrian statue was restored in bronze and on March 1, 2011, the opening ceremony for it was held, with Prime Minister S. Batbold delivering an opening speech for the People’s Democratic Party leader at the time.
So let’s talk about who was Sukhbaatar?
Damdin Sükhbaatar
Damdin Sukhbaatar (1893-1922) was a Mongolian warlord and politician who played a leading role in the early years of the Mongolian People’s Republic. Sukhbaatar is considered the founder of modern Mongolia and is celebrated as a national hero.
Sukhbaatar was born in the eastern part of what is now Mongolia in 1893. He joined the Mongolian revolutionary movement in his early twenties and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the most important leaders of the revolution. In 1921, Sukhbaatar led his troops into Ulaanbaatar and helped to overthrow the old regime.
Sukhbaatar served as Prime Minister of Mongolia from 1921 to 1922, and he was instrumental in establishing the Mongolian People’s Republic in 1924. Sukhbaatar died prematurely in 1922 at the age of 29, but he is still remembered as one of Mongolia’s most important historical figures.
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