Was it courage or desperation that fueled Leningrad’s unwavering spirit? The Leningrad Hero City Obelisk stands tall. It commemorates the resilience of a city under siege. This isn’t just a monument. It’s a testament to a city’s unbreakable will.
From 1924 to 1991, Saint Petersburg was known as Leningrad. The Leningrad Hero City Obelisk was installed in May 1985. It marked the fortieth anniversary of the Red Army’s victory in the German-Soviet War. Architects Vladimir Lukyanov and A. I. Alymov designed this powerful monument.
The Obelisk’s shape is quite unique. It’s pentahedral meaning its cross section resembles a star. A bronze wreath encircles its lower part. It covers the joint where two monoliths meet. High reliefs adorn the monument. They depict the heroic defense of Leningrad. A gold star shines brightly at its peak. Only the Alexander Column surpasses it as the highest stone monument in Saint Petersburg.
The numbers tell a grim story. Over one million Leningrad inhabitants perished from starvation, exposure, and relentless shelling. This occurred before Soviet forces finally broke the siege in January 1944. Three hundred thousand soldiers also died defending and relieving Leningrad. Despite unimaginable suffering, Leningrad earned the title of Hero City in 1945. It was the first city to receive this honor.
Creating the Leningrad Hero City Obelisk demanded skilled craftsmanship. Builders and fitters worked meticulously. Grey granite was chosen for the monument’s body. Its color mirrored that of a soldier’s overcoat. The granite came from a quarry near Vyborg. A controlled explosion separated a 2200-tonne monolith from the rock in November 1983. The finishing touches and polishing happened on site. The Obelisk was crowned with the “Gold Star”. It was finally installed on its pedestal in early April 1985.
Let’s consider the dimensions of this impressive structure. The total height of the Leningrad Hero City Obelisk is 36 meters. The central trunk measures 22.5 meters. The pommel and star add another 4.5 meters. The base stands 9 meters tall. Its base has a diameter of 3.5 meters. It also has a width of 9 meters. The monument’s overall mass is around 390 tonnes. With the base included, the total mass reaches 750 tonnes. The bronze wreath has a diameter of 4.5 meters. The “Gold Star” at the top is made of stainless steel. It measures 1.8 meters in diameter.
Take a moment to reflect on the Leningrad Hero City Obelisk. It is more than stone and metal. It embodies courage, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a city that refused to be defeated. It stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made. It ensures that the memory of Leningrad’s heroic defenders will never fade.