“They say it’s the tallest stone monument in Saint Petersburg after the Alexander Column” a woman whispered to her companion. We stand before the Leningrad Hero City Obelisk a truly imposing sight. This imposing obelisk in Vosstaniya Square commemorates the heroic defense of Leningrad during World War II.
The Leningrad Hero City Obelisk stands tall. Its five sides form a star shape. A bronze wreath encircles its base. This wreath hides the joint of two massive granite monoliths. Bronze high reliefs decorate the monument. These reliefs depict the heroic defense of Leningrad. A golden star shines proudly at its peak.
The obelisk’s construction was a feat of engineering. It involved highly skilled builders and fitters. They selected grey granite to match a soldier’s overcoat. This granite came from a quarry near Vyborg. A controlled explosion separated a 2200-tonne monolith from the source rock. The final polishing was completed on site. In early April 1985 the obelisk stood complete. The golden star was in place.
Imagine the scene in May 1985. The obelisk was finally installed. It was Victory Day the fortieth anniversary of the Red Army’s triumph. Thousands gathered. They celebrated the end of the brutal siege. The city of Leningrad had survived. The obelisk marked the resilience of its people.
The siege of Leningrad lasted from September 1941 to January 1944. Over one million civilians perished. They died from starvation exposure and German shelling. Another 300000 soldiers died defending and relieving Leningrad. The city’s suffering was immense. The human cost was staggering.
The monument is 36 meters tall. Its central trunk is 225 meters. The pommel and star add another 45 meters. The base is 9 meters wide and 35 meters in diameter. The obelisk weighs approximately 390 tonnes. Including its base it weighs about 750 tonnes. The bronze wreath alone is 45 meters in diameter. The golden star at the top is 18 meters across.
The Leningrad Hero City Obelisk remains a powerful symbol. It honors the sacrifice and fortitude of Leningrad’s defenders. It is a poignant reminder of a dark chapter in history. A chapter that tests the limits of human endurance. A chapter that proves the resilience of the human spirit. Let us take a moment of quiet reflection here at this powerful monument.