Monument to Igor Kurchatov
In the town of Kurchatov, where the first Soviet nuclear bomb was developed, stands a monument commemorating Igor Kurchatov.
Igor Kurchatov, a distinguished academician and physicist, is hailed as the «father» of the Soviet nuclear bomb. Guiding the Soviet nuclear program, Kurchatov also oversaw test explosions. On August 29, 1949, he and his team achieved the successful detonation of the first Soviet atomic bomb at the Semipalatinsk Test Site.
In January 1949, Kurchatov got into a serious radiation incident at Chelyabinsk-40 in Russia. Without proper safety gear, he entered the damaged reactor, filled with radioactive gases. Soon after, his health deteriorated rapidly, leading to his passing in 1960. Recognizing his immense contributions, the Soviet Union decided to name the small closed town in Kazakhstan where he worked on the atomic bomb after him.
Today, adjacent to the town administrative building (formerly the Semipalatinsk test site headquarters), stands a monumental red granite sculpture portraying Igor Kurchatov. This artistic tribute encapsulates the essence of the great scientist.
How to get there?
Address: Abay Region, the town of Kurchatov, 35 Tauelsizdik St.
Most tourists opt for guided tours when visiting the town of Kurchatov, as certain points of interest require guided access. Our company provides a 'Legacy of the USSR' tour, featuring a visit to the town of Kurchatov.
Other tourist attractions near the monument:
- Irtysh River
- Kurchatov Stele
- Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology
- Museum of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site
Recommended tours:
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Embark on an exploration of the Soviet legacy on Kazakh soil! This tour takes you to the infamous labor camps of the Stalin era, Karlag and Alzhir, the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, and various other landmarks from the Soviet era.