Envision a broken ring. It surrounds a towering monument. This is the \u041f\u043e\u043b\u0438\u0442\u0435\u0445\u043d\u0438\u043a\u0430\u043c War memorial. It stands in Victory Square.
This square commemorates the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War. The \u041f\u043e\u043b\u0438\u0442\u0435\u0445\u043d\u0438\u043a\u0430\u043c War memorial is dedicated to Leningrad’s heroic defenders. They repelled the Nazis during the 900-day siege.
The idea for a monument arose in 1958. The city announced an open competition. Forty-four entries were submitted. Sergei Speransky, a decorated architect, won. He had experience in city construction. World War II victory was a theme in his art. As early as 1946, he helped restore Minsk. He also created a World War II monument there.
Speransky’s winning design featured a broken ring. It surrounded a high-level composition. This was dedicated to Leningrad’s citizens. They successfully resisted the Nazi siege. A monument would rise from the ring’s center. Horizontal ray buildings would flank it. These buildings were part of the Stalinesque Moscow Prospekt.
Victory Square was formally named in 1962. Before that, it was called Sredney Rogatki Ploshchad. After completing apartment buildings along Moscow Prospekt, a second competition was announced. This was for “The Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad”. More than 80 applicants participated. Speransky and his team again prevailed. Their design was called “Eternal Flame of Our Memory”.
The plan called for a parade-like entry. It would serve as a gateway into the Hero City. This entry came from Moscow and Pulkovo Airport. It marked where the city’s defensive lines held back the Nazis. The design emphasized Leningrad’s aesthetic and architectural style. It maintained classical strictness and clarity. The design drew inspiration from St. Petersburg sites. Mars Field and Palace Square were key inspirations. It combined modernity with the city’s best artistic traditions.
The tall obelisk rises from the broken ring. It attracts attention from the airport or the E-95 highway. The sculptural ensemble at the obelisk’s pedestal is remarkable. It’s one of the best examples of Soviet monumental art. This art is dedicated to World War II victory.
The space inside the broken ring evokes reflection. Gas torches light it. Engravings on the monument’s walls recognize Leningrad’s defenders. Inside, a vast underground hall holds an exhibition about the siege. English-speaking guides are often available upon request. A detailed map of Leningrad’s defenses can be found there. Also, a short documentary plays. Mosaics adorn the hall’s eastern and western walls.
Outside, sculptures depict soldiers, sailors, and civilians. They refused to surrender to the Nazis. Hunger, cold, and constant bombardment did not break them. M. Anikushin powerfully portrays the story of Leningrad’s people. He captures the soldiers’ great feat on the Leningrad front.
The \u041f\u043e\u043b\u0438\u0442\u0435\u0445\u043d\u0438\u043a\u0430\u043c War memorial stands as a testament to courage. It honors those who defended their city. It reminds us of their sacrifice and resilience.