“City-Hero of Leningrad.” The words are emblazoned on the Leningrad Hero City Obelisk. It stands tall here in Vosstaniya Square. This monument honors the Red Army’s victory in the German-Soviet War.
This obelisk is more than just a stone pillar. It symbolizes the resilience and bravery of Leningrad’s defenders. Today, we will explore the history and significance of this monument.
The Leningrad Hero City Obelisk was installed on Victory Day in May 1985. This marked the fortieth anniversary of the Red Army’s triumph. Architects Vladimir Lukyanov and A. I. Alymov designed the monument. After the Alexander Column, it is the highest stone monument in Saint Petersburg.
Look closely. The obelisk is pentahedral. Its cross-section forms a star. A bronze wreath encircles its lower part. This covers the joint between the two monoliths. High reliefs depicting the heroic defense of Leningrad adorn the monument. A gold star gleams atop the obelisk.
Grey granite was chosen. It resembles the color of a soldier’s overcoat. This granite came from a quarry near Vyborg. A controlled explosion separated a 2200-tonne monolith from the rock. This occurred on November 6, 1983. The finishing touches and polishing were done on site.
The Leningrad Hero City Obelisk stands 36 meters tall. The central trunk measures 22.5 meters. The pommel and star add 4.5 meters. The base is 9 meters. The base has a diameter of 3.5 meters and a width of 9 meters. The monument’s overall mass is about 390 tonnes. With the base, it weighs 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 Leningrad Hero City Obelisk serves as a reminder. Over one million Leningrad inhabitants died from starvation, exposure, and German shelling. This happened during the siege. Three hundred thousand soldiers died defending and relieving Leningrad. The city was awarded the title Hero City in 1945. It was the first city to receive this honor.
The Leningrad Hero City Obelisk stands as a testament to courage. It reminds us of the sacrifices made during wartime. Take a moment to reflect on the history. Consider the strength of those who defended this city.