Grey granite like a soldier’s overcoat looms above us. This is the Leningrad Hero City Obelisk. It stands tall in Vosstaniya Square. It is a powerful reminder of a city’s resilience.
Let’s delve into the story of this monument. It commemorates Leningrad’s heroic defense during the German-Soviet War. The obelisk was installed on Victory Day in May 1985. It marked the 40th anniversary of the Red Army’s victory.
The Leningrad Hero City Obelisk was designed by architects Vladimir Lukyanov and A. I. Alymov. The monument’s shape is striking. It is pentahedral with a star-shaped cross section. A bronze wreath encircles its lower part. This covers the joint between the two monoliths.
Bronze high reliefs decorate the monument. These reliefs depict the heroic defense of Leningrad. At the top a gold star shines brightly. The obelisk is the second highest stone monument in St. Petersburg. Only the Alexander Column is taller.
The story behind this monument is one of immense suffering. The siege of Leningrad was brutal. Over one million inhabitants died from starvation exposure and German shelling. Three hundred thousand soldiers perished defending the city. Leningrad was awarded the title Hero City in 1945. It was the first city to receive this honor.
Creating the Leningrad Hero City Obelisk required skilled builders. They chose grey granite. It resembled the color of a soldier’s overcoat. The granite came from a quarry near Vyborg.
A monolith weighing 2200 tonnes was extracted in 1983. This was achieved with a controlled explosion. The finishing touches were done on site. In April 1985 the obelisk was installed on its pedestal.
The Leningrad Hero City Obelisk has specific dimensions. Its total height is 36 meters. 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. Its width is 9 meters. The monument weighs approximately 390 tonnes. With the base the total mass is 750 tonnes. The bronze wreath has a diameter of 4.5 meters. The gold star made of stainless steel is 1.8 meters wide.
This monument serves as a powerful symbol. It honors the courage and sacrifice of the people of Leningrad. It reminds us of the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.