The humorous monument based on the novel of the same name by the famous Ukrainian writer Mykola Gogol, The Nose, was erected in 2006. Gogol never married, but there was true love in his life. The woman whom Gogol admired was the Empress’s lady-in-waiting, Alexandra Smirnova-Rosset. The writer corresponded with her, shared his ideas and plans, discussed the works that had just come out of his pen.

Still, he never dared to declare his love. Alexandra married a wealthy official, but continued her communication with the writer. Many could not understand their platonic love, for which neither distance nor time were obstacles.