Monument to Kurman-Ali Kurdzhiyev

The monument to the founder of the city of Karachayevsk, Kurman-Ali Kurdzhiyev, is located in a small square opposite the administration building. This monument is installed on a high pedestal and depicts a horseman on a horse.
Kurman-Ali Aliyevich Kurdzhiyev was a Soviet statesman and political figure who for many years headed the executive committees of the Karachay-Cherkess and Karachay regions. He was born on June 12, 1884, in the village of Kamennomost.
Kurdzhiyev appealed to Anastas Mikoyan with a request for funds to build a new capital for the Karachay people. And on November 7, 1927, a new city was opened in a solemn ceremony, which was named "Mikoyan-Shahar" (Mikoyan's City) in gratitude for the approval. In the presence of 10,000 people, as well as A.I. Mikoyan, Chairman of the National Council under the Regional Executive Committee U.D. Aliyev, the Chairman of the Karachay Regional Executive Committee Kurman Kurdzhiyev cut the ribbon on horseback (near school No. 5) and opened the new city.

In 1937, Kurdzhiyev was unjustly accused of participating in counter-revolutionary activities and was shot, becoming a victim of repression during his prime of life and professional career. Only 20 years after his execution, the Military Collegium of the Supreme Court of the USSR overturned the verdict against Kurdzhiyev and terminated his case due to new circumstances establishing the groundlessness of Kurman-Ali's conviction.

The author of the monument is the Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, Gurgen Varazdatovich Kuregyan; this is his last work. The monument was erected in 2001.