How many days and nights did the Siege of Leningrad last? This question echoes through Victory Square. It calls to mind the heroic defenders. Right here stands the Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad. It commemorates the tragic days of the blockade from 1941 to 1944.
The Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad is often one of the first sights for visitors. It stands in Victory Square. This square sits on the main road between Pulkovo Airport and the city center.
The monument’s design comes from Sergei Speranskiy and Valentin Kamenskiy. Mikhail Anikushin sculpted it. It officially opened on Victory Day. That was May 9, 1975 marking the 30th anniversary of the war’s end. A memorial exhibit lies underneath the main monument. It opened on February 23 1978.
A tall granite obelisk anchors the memorial. It rises 48 meters high. Steps descend to a central square from it. In the square’s center stands a sculpture. It represents the city’s suffering during the siege. There is an eternal flame. Stones commemorate the Hero Cities of the Soviet Union. A circular wall surrounds the square. It measures 124 meters in diameter. A symbolic break marks one point. Inscriptions read 900 дней and 900 ночей. This translates to 900 days and 900 nights. These numbers reflect the blockade’s duration. It lasted 872 days to be exact.
Two sculpture groups stand at one end of the Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad. They depict soldiers and militia heading to the front line. Workers and civilians remained in the besieged city.
The underground hall resembles many Russian museums. It is rather dark. A large diorama sits in the center. It illustrates the front lines during the siege. Display cases hold artifacts. These include weapons, letters and medals. One side features bronze plates. They describe events of individual days during the siege. The plates change daily. Documentary films play on large screens. The sound of a metronome plays constantly. It was broadcast on the radio during the siege. The tempo increased during air raid warnings.
The Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad serves as a reminder. It shows the bravery and resilience of Leningrad’s citizens. They defended their city against Nazi forces. It stands as a symbol of their sacrifice. It honors those who perished during those long and difficult days.