In the summer of 1941, the combined Nazi forces launched a full-scale attack on Leningrad. The operation to seize the city was of strategic importance, its successful outcome opened the way for enemies to Moscow. Despite the heroism of Soviet soldiers, the forces of the invaders had multiple superiority, and by September 8, 1941, Leningrad was completely surrounded. The enemy ring around the city has closed. The tragic period in the history of Leningrad began: the terrible 872 days of the blockade.
The terrible word "blockade"
The first blockade winter turned out to be the most difficult for Leningraders. Lack of food, water, and lack of heating, along with regular bombing from the air, led to a massive famine in the city, which killed hundreds of thousands of old people, women and children. Bread was issued on special cards - only 125 grams per day. People were so exhausted that they fell dead right on the street.
The only artery through which modest food cargo entered the city was Lake Ladoga.
The "Road of Life", along which people were evacuated from the city, delivered food, regularly bombarded by enemy artillery and bombers. Hundreds of human lives, tons of food and medicine were at the bottom of Lake Ladoga.
Monument "Broken Ring" - a symbol of the turn to victory
The complete blockade of Leningrad was lifted on January 27, 1944. But already in the winter of 1943, thanks to the competent command of the Soviet Army , a breakthrough in the ring was made. The formed land corridor in some sections reached a width of 8 to 10 kilometers. The new road made life easier for residents in the city. It became easier to deliver food supplies to Leningrad, despite the fact that regular shelling and blockade were still ongoing.
It was January 18, 1943 that the decisive step was taken by Leningrad residents to free themselves from the terrible blockade: another “Road of Life” was laid. The monument "Broken Ring" became the personification of this first victory and is located in the very place where the land leg began.
History of the monument
The reinforced concrete structure, which consists of two semi-arches, is at the same time a symbol of human torment and the outstanding heroism of Leningrad and Soviet soldiers during the war years.
This seven-meter monument represents hundreds of thousands of lost lives and the long-awaited torn ring of the blockade. The monument was erected by the famous Soviet sculptor K. M. Simun. The author of the monument was a native of Leningrad and, despite the fact that he was evacuated during the war, for him the liberation of the city meant a speedy return to his native land. Perhaps because of this, the huge 32-ton memorial so accurately reflects the joy of the first victory in the liberation of the besieged Leningrad and conveys the pain of all the torment that its inhabitants had to endure. Near the monument, the sculptor placed two white balls as an imitation of searchlight installations and genuine anti-aircraft weapons, and under the arch you can see traces of the tread of cars.
The monument "Torn Ring" was opened in October 1966. Currently, the monument is an object of cultural heritage and part of the huge memorial complex “Green Belt of Glory”.
Museum "Road of Life"
The path through which the besieged city survived was not in vain called the "Road of Life". It was here that a dangerous crossing was organized across Lake Ladoga, which from September 1941 to March 1943 connected Leningrad with the country. Despite hundreds of sunken cars, boats, barges and thousands of dead people, the city continued to exist.
The land section of the route from Leningrad to Lake Ladoga is a unique open-air museum and includes 7 monuments and pillars of memory: 46 of them are located along the highway and 56 along the railway. These structures are part of the unique historical complex “Green Belt of Glory”.
At the 40th kilometer of the road is the memorial
" Torn Ring". The monument, the photo of which is located below, is a symbol of an interrupted blockade and the beginning of a new life for a city that has survived the horror of a terrible war.
Here is another monument with parting words addressed to descendants, and an anti-aircraft gun. All of them represent the memorial complex "Broken Ring" (monument).
How to get there
The “Road of Life" is part of a great history, a unique place that is visited annually by thousands of tourists from around the world and people who have survived the years of the terrible blockade.
The monument "Broken Ring" was erected in the village of Kokkorevo, Vsevolozhsk district, Leningrad region. You can get to the memorial along the federal highway A 128, moving in the north-east direction to Vsevolozhsk. This section of the highway has the same name "Road of Life". The memorial is located north of the village of Kokkorevo, on the exit to Ladoga.
You can get to the memorial by rail. An electric train leaves daily from the Finland Station in St. Petersburg, located on Lenin Square . The exit should be at the Vaganovo railway station , and then about 3 kilometers on foot towards the village of Kokkorevo. In addition, the monument can be reached along the shore of Ladoga, the distance is about 5 kilometers. But in this case, you need to get out of the train at Lake Ladoga station.
War is not forgotten
More than 70 years have passed since the tragic events of the Leningrad blockade. But all the horror of war and the feat of Soviet soldiers will never be forgotten. These terrible memories will be especially vivid in the memory of those children who, in the distant 1941-1943, experienced hunger, bombing, shelling and defeated death.
By the anniversary of the Victory Day celebration, the monument “Broken Ring” and other memorials and memorial pillars of the museum were reconstructed. In the future, it is planned to improve and green the surrounding area. All these events will preserve the country's historical heritage and pass it on to the future generation.