Obelisk of Glory in Velikiye Luki — Live Webcam Online

Velikiye Luki is a city in Pskov Oblast, bearing the honorary title of City of Military Glory. The main memorial of this area is the Obelisk of Glory, erected on the ancient fortress rampart. The live webcam broadcasts this monument in real time, allowing you to see the panorama of the city and the Lovat River surroundings.

History of the Obelisk of Glory: When and in Honor of What Event It Was Opened

The obelisk monument to the heroes who fell during the liberation from the fascist invaders was solemnly opened on the northeastern, Nelyuev, bastion of the Velikiye Luki fortress on July 30, 1960 (according to other sources — July 31). The structure was erected by a decree of the Council of Ministers of the Estonian SSR in memory of the soldiers of the Estonian national corps of the Soviet Army who gave their lives in the battles for Velikiye Luki. The liberation battles involved the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps, the 257th and 357th Rifle Divisions, the 47th Mechanized Brigade, the 13th and 38th Tank Regiments, and the 146th Separate Regiment.

Architectural Features and Symbols of the Memorial

The brown stone obelisk rises 26 meters high (according to some sources — 23 meters). The height of the star at its top is 3 meters. At the center of the composition is a slab with inscriptions in Russian and Estonian: "Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in the battles for the freedom and independence of our Motherland." The outer rim bears the dates of the battles for the city and the unit numbers of the 3rd Shock Army of the Kalinin Front that liberated Velikiye Luki: "XII.1942–I.1943". The image of the monument adorns one of the bronze bas-reliefs on the Velikiye Luki "City of Military Glory" stele.

Velikiye Luki — City of Military Glory

The status of City of Military Glory was awarded to Velikiye Luki in 2008. This title is granted to cities where defenders showed courage and heroism in the struggle for the freedom of the Fatherland. The Obelisk of Glory became the symbol of this award, reminding of the feats of soldiers and officers of different nationalities who forged a common victory.

Velikiye Luki Fortress: Ancient Walls and Strategic Location

The Obelisk stands on the rampart of the Velikiye Luki Fortress, whose height exceeds 20 meters above the Lovat River level. This is the highest point of the city, offering views of the river and surroundings. The first fortification on the banks of the Lovat was built as early as the 12th century. The current earthen fortress was erected by order of Tsar Peter I during the Great Northern War. In ancient times, the city served as a shield for Pskov and Novgorod, and the famous route "from the Varangians to the Greeks" passed through it.

Commemorative Events and Traditions at the Obelisk of Glory

Memorial rallies and flower-laying ceremonies are regularly held at the foot of the memorial. On May 8, 1965, a solemn flower-laying ceremony took place at the Obelisk of Glory and the monument to Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Matrosov. The Obelisk symbolizes the fact that the joint efforts of soldiers of different nationalities forged a common victory in the Great Patriotic War.

What You Can See on the Camera

The live webcam broadcasts the Obelisk of Glory — a stele about twenty-five meters high, erected on the eastern bastion of the Velikiye Luki Fortress. This vantage point offers a panorama of Velikiye Luki: the Lovat River, urban development, and green surroundings. The camera allows you to observe the obelisk at any time of day, see how the lighting of the memorial changes, and check the current weather in the city.