Was it worth it? That question hangs in the air before the 50 \u043b\u0435\u0442 \u041f\u043e\u0431\u0435\u0434\u044b Obelisk. It looms over Vosstaniya Square. This monument stands as a solemn reminder. It marks the Red Army’s victory in the German-Soviet War. The 50 \u043b\u0435\u0442 \u041f\u043e\u0431\u0435\u0434\u044b Obelisk is more than just stone and bronze. It’s a testament to resilience.
The 50 \u043b\u0435\u0442 \u041f\u043e\u0431\u0435\u0434\u044b Obelisk was installed on Victory Day in May 1985. It commemorated the fortieth anniversary of that victory. Architects Vladimir Lukyanov and A. I. Alymov designed it. The obelisk is pentahedral. Its cross-section is star-shaped. A bronze wreath encircles its lower part. This covers the joint of two monoliths. Bronze high reliefs decorate the monument. They depict the heroic defense of Leningrad. A gold star shines on its top. After the Alexander Column, it’s the highest stone monument in Saint Petersburg.
Leningrad was awarded the title Hero City in 1945. It was the first city to receive this honor. Soviet forces eventually lifted the siege in January 1944. Over one million inhabitants of Leningrad had died. They perished from starvation, exposure, and German shelling. Three hundred thousand soldiers died defending and relieving Leningrad.
Highly skilled builders and fitters were needed to install the 50 \u043b\u0435\u0442 \u041f\u043e\u0431\u0435\u0434\u044b Obelisk. Grey granite was chosen for the monument’s body. It resembled the color of a soldier’s overcoat. The rock came from a quarry near Vyborg. A monolith weighing 2200 tonnes was separated from the source rock in November 1983. This was done using a controlled explosion. The finishing touches and polishing were done on site. The obelisk was crowned with the “Gold Star” and installed in early April 1985.
The total height of the 50 \u043b\u0435\u0442 \u041f\u043e\u0431\u0435\u0434\u044b Obelisk is 36 meters. The central trunk is 22.5 meters high. The pommel and Star add another 4.5 meters. The base measures 9 meters. Its base has a diameter of 3.5 meters. The width is 9 meters. The monument’s overall mass is approximately 390 tonnes. With the base, 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.
The 50 \u043b\u0435\u0442 \u041f\u043e\u0431\u0435\u0434\u044b Obelisk stands on Ploshchad Vosstaniya. This site was once occupied by an equestrian statue of Emperor Alexander III. It was erected in 1909 and removed in 1937. It now stands in the courtyard of the Marble Palace. The square remained empty for decades. This was until the 50 \u043b\u0435\u0442 \u041f\u043e\u0431\u0435\u0434\u044b Obelisk was unveiled on May 8, 1985.
Notice the column’s star-shaped cross-section. It was the first of its kind in the world. Oval haut-reliefs are engraved with patriotic slogans. They stir the soul. The 50 \u043b\u0435\u0442 \u041f\u043e\u0431\u0435\u0434\u044b Obelisk is a reminder. It embodies the spirit of a city that refused to surrender. It is a city that earned the title Hero City.
The obelisk serves as a poignant reminder of Leningrad’s suffering. It is also a symbol of its people’s indomitable spirit. The monument stands tall. It embodies courage and resilience. It inspires all who pass by. It ensures that the sacrifices made are never forgotten.