73 years have passed since the terrible days of the Leningrad blockade. A place 12 km from the village of Nevskaya Dubrovka - the famous Nevsky Piglet - even today cannot be visited without a shudder in the heart. The village, known since the end of the 15th century as Dubrova on the Neva, became widely known after the tragic events of the Great Patriotic War.
Little-known facts about Neva Dubrovka
Dubrovka is an urban-type settlement of the Vsevolzhsky district (Leningrad region) since 1927, the local administrative center. There is a pier on the shore.
The first mention of Dubrova on the Neva of the Orekhovsky district was discovered around 1500, and in the 17th century the village was already mapped. In those years, there were very few residents of Dubrov: about 80 male and female souls.
Already at the end of the 19th century, the number of Dubrovka grew so much that it began to be called a county town and divided into two parts: Upper and Lower. This area was in the possession of N. A. Mordvinova. At the beginning of the 20th century, the village was named Nevskaya Dubrovka to show the significant role of the river in the life of this place. A sawmill was opened here, paper was produced, a Zemstvoschool.
During the years of Soviet rule, Nevskaya Dubrovka becomes an urban-type settlement and reaches the peak of its population - more than 9,500 people.
Before the Great Patriotic War, two microdistricts were already marked on the map: Nevskaya Dubrovka and Novy Poselok.
The role of the Neva Dubrovka in the Leningrad blockade
During the war years, two hospitals were located on this long-suffering place: an evacuation and a mobile field hospital, as well as an evacuation receiver.
Enemy troops in September 1941 practically closed the occupation ring around Leningrad. Only one small section remained on the left bank of the Neva opposite Dubrovka, which later became known as the Nevsky Piglet. A lot of blood was shed for this place of the only crossing, but on September 20 the bridgehead was ours. Until January 1943, until the land pass was taken, the Nevsky Piglet remained a tiny strip of land, with which great hopes were associated for the liberation of 3 million unfortunate residents of besieged Leningrad.
You can indicate the number of dead in numerical terms or write "very, very many", but this will not convey the horrors of battles and the blood shed by our ancestors. It will not convey what happened in besieged Leningrad: crumbs of bread worth its weight in gold, corpses of adults and children on the streets of the city, cases of cannibalism … The role of Nevsky Dubrovka and Nevsky Piglet is fully understood only by those few who participated in the battles or survived the blockade.
Sights of the village
The main attractions of this area are connected with the Great Patriotic War. As soon as you get to Neva Dubrovka, the memorial of a fraternal military burial opens up before your eyes. People come here not only on Victory Day, but also on any other days, to pay tribute and bow to the valiant defenders of our Motherland who fell here. The memorial is maintained in decent condition, wreaths and flowers have been laid on famous and unmarked graves.
In the center of the village, on the territory of a recently planted park in honor of the 330th Infantry Regiment, stands the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Search for the Lost". Visitors to this shrine speak of an extraordinary feeling of calmness and purity of soul. An icon of the 19th century, donated by V. V. Putin, who came to the consecration of the temple in 2010
There is also a State Museum "Nevsky Piglet" in Dubrovka with unique exhibits dedicated to the siege of Leningrad.
Two years ago, another war memorial was opened in the village - a monument to the "Heroes of the metro construction", in memory of the people who built a crossing for tanks on the Neva in order to break through to the "patch".
How can tourists get to Neva Dubrovka?
The easiest way to get to the village is by rail. From St. Petersburg to Nevskaya Dubrovka is only 43 km, numerous electric trains follow to the station of the same name. The fastest train number 6904 departs from the Finnish Station, but the difference in its travel time with others is insignificant (only 2-4 minutes).
How to get to Nevskaya Dubrovka by bus? It's very simple, there is a lot of transport. For example, a regular bus No. 453 runs from the Ladozhskaya metro station to the village according to the schedule from 8-55 to 21-50. The duration of the trip is approximately 1.5 hours, the ticket price is about 150 rubles. By car, the travel time will be slightly less - about an hour.
Neva Dubrovka: yesterday, today, tomorrow
In the pre-war period, the village had many parks and squares with fountains and statues of lions. Everything was destroyed during the war, and the few that were revived in the post-war years fell into disrepair in the 90s. XX century.
Now the territory of the village is intensively landscaped, due attention is paid to the reconstruction of memorial sites and memorials. New cottages are being built, the population is gradually growing. This year, a decision was made to recreate the fountains and sculptures. Orders for new sculptures of lions have already been made, part of the engineering communications is ready.
There are also plans to create a new pier and embankment. Many tourists come here along the river, and a decent walking route has not yet been laid. It is assumed that it will be divided into historical and military-patriotic sections, as well as places for recreation. The reconstructed estate of Kin-Grust will also be included in the new route.
