“Leningrad”. The very name echoes through history. It was a city that stood defiant against the Nazi siege during World War II. We are standing before a monument. This is the Hero City Obelisk. It commemorates the Red Army’s victory in the German-Soviet War.
This obelisk is located in Vosstaniya Square. It was installed on Victory Day in May 1985. The Hero City Obelisk marks the fortieth anniversary. It is a reminder of a city’s resilience.
The architects Vladimir Lukyanov and A. I. Alymov designed it. The Obelisk has a unique shape. Its cross section is like a star. A bronze wreath encircles its lower part. The wreath covers the joint of two monoliths. High reliefs decorate the monument. These reliefs show the heroic defense of Leningrad. A gold star shines at the top.
After the Alexander Column this is the highest stone monument in St. Petersburg.
The siege of Leningrad was brutal. It lasted for almost 900 days. Over one million inhabitants died from starvation, exposure and shelling. 300,000 soldiers perished defending the city. Leningrad earned the title of Hero City in 1945. It was the first city to receive this honor.
Building the Hero City Obelisk was not easy. It required skilled builders and fitters. Grey granite was chosen for the monument. It resembles a soldier’s overcoat. The granite came from a quarry near Vyborg. A 2200-tonne monolith was separated from the rock in 1983. A controlled explosion helped to extract it. The granite was polished on-site. In April 1985 the Obelisk was crowned with the Gold Star. It was then installed on its pedestal.
The obelisk is 36 meters tall. The central trunk measures 22.5 meters. The pommel and Star add another 4.5 meters. The base is 9 meters high. The base has a diameter of 3.5 meters. The monument weighs approximately 390 tonnes. With its base the total mass is 750 tonnes. The bronze wreaths have a diameter of 4.5 meters. The Gold Star is made of stainless steel. It measures 1.8 meters in diameter.
The Hero City Obelisk stands as a testament to courage and sacrifice. It reminds us of the strength of the human spirit. It honors those who defended Leningrad. The monument serves as a place for reflection. It allows us to remember the past and honor the heroes of Leningrad.