Athanasius Nikitin Monument is dedicated to one of the most famous sons of Tver. Athanasius Nikitin became famous in Russian history as the first traveller that visited Persia, India, Somali, Turkey, came back and described his travel adventures in his famous book "Journey Beyond Three Seas". It was one of the first travel guides intended to describe cultures that he encountered rather than describe pilgrimage to a particular holy site. Unfortunately Athanasius Nikitin never made it home. He died in fall of 1474 near Russian city of Smolensk. Local clerk V. Momyrev managed to preserve the book of Nikitin and copy it.
Athanasius Nikitin Monument to courageous traveller was built on the left bank of Volga river in 1955. The authors of the project were sculptors A.P. Zavalov, S.M. Orlova and architect G.A. Zakharov. Athanasius Nikitin monument is a four meter bronze statue, which stands on a granite pedestal 4 meters high on a small round shaped square that represents the front of the boat. The nose of this stylized boat in a shape of a horse's head. Statue of Athanasius Nikitin is presented holding a document of safe conduct, given by Tver Grand Duke Mikhail Borisovich. Around the belt you can see a purse with coins as a symbol of his merchant status. Below the monument you can see a commemorative plaque with inscriptions that this brave traveller visited India in 1469- 72.