Princess Turandot Fountain-Monument, Moscow

The Princess Turandot Fountain-Monument commemorates Yevgeny Vakhtangov’s celebrated 1922 production of Carlo Gozzi’s Princess Turandot. Created by sculptor Alexander Burganov, the monument was unveiled in 1997 to mark the 75th anniversary of the production’s premiere.

Vakhtangov’s interpretation became one of the defining works of the theatre that later took his name, while Princess Turandot developed into an enduring symbol of the company and its theatrical tradition. The composition depicts Princess Turandot seated on a throne beneath an ornate canopy, positioned above a fountain basin. She wears an elaborate theatrical costume and headdress that emphasize her identity as a stage character rather than a historical figure. Decorative pillars, gilded details, sculptural ornament, and flowing water create the appearance of a small theatrical pavilion. The monument’s playful design recalls the stylized staging and festive atmosphere associated with Vakhtangov’s original production, which combined elements of improvisation, comedy, and theatrical fantasy. The fountain stands beside the Vakhtangov Theatre, directly connecting the monument with the company whose history it commemorates. Princess Turandot was Vakhtangov’s final production before his death in 1922 and was later revived by the theatre, strengthening its importance across generations.

Visitors can examine Burganov’s decorative details and the theatrical figure while learning about a production that became closely associated with the artistic identity of the Vakhtangov company.