The Sister, War memorial in Sestroretsk, Russia
The Sister is a war memorial made of two pink granite pillars positioned where the Sestroretsk River flows into the Gulf of Finland. The pillars are constructed from rapakivi stone, a type of granite that has proven durable over decades.
The memorial marks the former Soviet border with Finland along the Karelian Isthmus following territorial changes from the Winter War in 1940. This boundary represented a significant moment in the region's geopolitical history during the interwar period.
The memorial belongs to the Green Belt of Glory, honoring those who defended Leningrad during the siege in World War II. It reflects the deep meaning this place holds for understanding the city's survival and resistance.
The site is open year-round and visitors can read historical information about border changes displayed on the granite pillars. The location near the river mouth and coastline makes it easy to find and visit without formal arrangements.
The granite pillars are made from rapakivi stone, a durable material that has withstood harsh coastal conditions over the decades. Most other border markers from the same period were constructed from wood and have long since disappeared.
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