←Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege”

Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege”

Photo of route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””
12 points7 km3.5 hours

The Siege left an indelible mark on Leningrad, firmly inscribed in the history of this unbending city, yet few people know that the spirit of those hard times lingers on literally every corner. On this route you will be able to spot the fleeting details of the Northern Capital that still hold the memory of the Siege. Many traces of those years have already dissolved in time, but some can still tell us about those fateful 872 days.

Photo of route author Leonid Kruglov

Route author

Leonid Kruglov

Things to do

  • 📜 Learn the city's history
  • 🗺️🎒 Themed route
  • 🏛️🕰️ Compare the eras

Route points (12)

  1. Field of Mars — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

    Field of Mars

    ⛲ Square

  2. Siege Substation — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

    Siege Substation

    ⚙️ Industrial site

  3. Monument to the Leningrad Ice Hole on the Fontanka — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

    Monument to the Leningrad Ice Hole on the Fontanka

    🗿 Monument

  4. Anichkov Bridge — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

    Anichkov Bridge

    🌉 Bridge

  5. Monument to the Leningrad Loudspeaker — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

    Monument to the Leningrad Loudspeaker

    📜 Historic site

  6. Musical Comedy Theater — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

    Musical Comedy Theater

    🎭 Theater

  7. “Planet of Memory” Monument — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

    “Planet of Memory” Monument

    🗿 Monument · 🎨 Art installations

  8. Shelling Warning Signs — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

    Shelling Warning Signs

    🖌️ Street art

  9. The Wounds of St. Isaac's Cathedral — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

    The Wounds of St. Isaac's Cathedral

    🕍 Place of worship · 🏟️ Architectural landmark

  10. Monument to the Mothers Who Perished — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

    Monument to the Mothers Who Perished

    🗿 Monument · 🗿 Sculptures

  11. Siege of Leningrad Sundial — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

    Siege of Leningrad Sundial

    🎨 Art installations

  12. Tanya Savicheva's Apartment — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

    Tanya Savicheva's Apartment

    🕵️ Urban legend · 📜 Historic site

Anichkov Bridge in Saint Petersburg

Point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

Anichkov Bridge — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””
Anichkov Bridge — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””
Anichkov Bridge — point on route “Route “Phantom Monuments of the Siege””

Point 4

Anichkov Bridge

🌉 Bridge

The Sculptures That Survived

Although the bridge was built in the 19th century, it also became a symbol of the Siege. When the Siege began, the city authorities launched a campaign to protect cultural heritage sites. In December 1941 the horse sculptures were taken down from the pedestals of the Anichkov Bridge, packed into crates, and buried near the Palace of Pioneers (now the City Palace of Youth Creativity at 39 Nevsky Prospekt). The precaution was not in vain: on November 6, 1942, a bomb fell on the bridge. Only the load-bearing structures and the pedestals survived. Restoration began as early as 1944, and the railings were recast even before the war ended. The sculptures themselves were returned to their places only in early summer 1945.