Evolution of perception of urban monuments in Russian province in XIX - the beginning of XX centuries

The article examines how the democratization of Russian society influenced the perception of the monuments that were created to commemorate eminent people in Russian province. The main source of the research was Russian provincial guides of the second half of the 19th century. In describing the statues that were created decades ago, the texts of the guides were greatly underestimating and simplifying the significance, design, shape, style and meaning of the monuments.