Kronstadt is a port city, a city of military glory, founded in 1704 by Peter I. Translated from German Krone means "crown" and Stadt means "city". It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city of Kronstadt, although small, is rich in beautiful, historical places. Everyone will find something to their liking in it.
Kronstadt is located on Kotlin Island and a number of artificial islands, 50 km from St. Petersburg, in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland. Until 1996, Kronstadt was a closed city, now the city is open to tourists.
The size of the island is 12 km long and 1.5 km wide, with a total area of 1584 hectares. Kronstadt is surrounded by 17 sea forts - artificial bulk islands. Another 5 forts are located on the Kotlin Island itself.
You can get from St. Petersburg to Kronstadt by water or by the ring road across the dam. The dam is a complex of protective structures of St. Petersburg against floods. Its length is 25.4 km.
A beautiful view of the dam opens from a bird's eye view.
Naval Nikolsky Cathedral
The Orthodox Cathedral was built in 1913 on the Anchor Square of the city of Kronstadt. Services in the cathedral were held until 1927, in 1929 it was closed and converted into a cinema named after Gorky. In 1956, the Kronstadt Fortress club and concert hall were opened in the building of the cathedral.
In 1974, a branch of the Naval Museum was opened here.
In 2002, the consecration and installation of the cross over the dome of the Naval Cathedral took place, and in 2013 the restoration was completed.
Petrovskaya pier and Srednyaya harbor
Initially, the walls of the harbor were made of wood and held on stilts. In 1859, they began to deepen the bottom of the harbor and install granite walls. After that, the harbor was redesigned many times, but it acquired its current appearance in 1882.
The pier is decorated with two cast-iron vases, two gun barrels mounted in the surface, anchors from boats. From the moment of its foundation to the present time, ships with Russian sailors went on long voyages, military campaigns, round-the-world travels from here and returned back.
Forts of Kronstadt
Fort "Emperor Alexander I" or "Plague" was built in 1836 - 1845.
Fort "Kronshlot" was built in 1703-1724.
Fort Constantine (southern battery) was built in 1868-1879, 1897-1901.
Fort "Emperor Peter I", or "Citadel" was built in 1721-1724.
Fort "Emperor Paul I", or "Risbank" was built in 1807-1812. Rebuilt in 1845-1859.
You can also see other forts: "Shants", "Prince Menshikov", "Totleben" or "Pervomaisky", "Obruchev", "Reef" (the former Alexander battery), as well as forts of the Southern and Northern batteries.
In Kronstadt, it is pleasant to stroll through Petrovsky Park, look into the Summer Garden, see many monuments to outstanding people and events.
While in Kronstadt, it is worth seeing the Severny Val.
There is a four-meter tree of desires in the city with eyes, a smile and a big ear. You can write a wish on paper and put a cast-iron owl in the nest, or you can whisper all the most cherished in the big ear of a tree.
Come to this wonderful city, which is rich in its history, which withstood the blockade on a par with Leningrad, which is full of mysteries. I promise that no one will remain indifferent.
