Kronstadt is a small city with a complex and amazing fate, located northwest of St. Petersburg on Kotlin Island in the Gulf of Finland, 27 km from the mouth of the Neva.

Kronstadt is remarkable not only for its hydraulic engineering and defensive structures, beautiful ensembles of historical buildings and a ring of dilapidated forts, but also for its nature.

Since 1323, according to the Orekhovsky Peace Treaty, Kotlin Island, on which modern Kronstadt is located, served as a border island between Russia and Sweden and was deserted. Later, in 1617, according to the Stolbovo Peace Treaty, the island went to the Swedes, who gained control over access to the Baltic Sea.

In 1723, a new central fortress was founded on Kotlin Island - Kronstadt, which included the city and port facilities. In fact, the city on the island was also called Kronstadt, which literally means “fortress city.” The location of Kronstadt and the forts that subsequently surrounded it turned out to be so successful that in the entire subsequent history not a single enemy ship passed into the Neva Bay, and there were many attempts.

Many types of naval weapons and equipment were honed at the Kronstadt roadstead. In particular, at the Kronstadt roadstead, bottom and floating minefields were tested for the first time in the world according to the system of the Russian academician B.S. Jacobi, who stopped the Anglo-French squadron in 1854, and the inventor A.S. In 1895, Popov conducted the first long-distance communication session between warships.

During the Great Patriotic War, Kronstadt covered Leningrad from the sea, although it itself was under siege. Despite severe damage from bombing and shelling, a repair base for Baltic Fleet ships and a submarine base continued to operate in Kronstadt. Thanks to the artillery of Kronstadt, the Nazis were unable to capture the Oranienbaum patch, which played an important role in the defense of Leningrad. The “Little Road of Life” operated along the ice of the Gulf of Finland, connecting Kronstadt with Oranienbaum and Lisim Nos.

For a leisurely acquaintance with Kronstadt, one day is enough; during this time, the central part of the island can be walked up and down, including visiting a few museums.

The Naval Cathedral is the main attraction of Kronstadt. It was built in 1901 - 1913. designed by architect Vasily Kosyakov. The architecture of the cathedral is reminiscent of St. Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul. It amazes with its splendor and brilliance, being the largest naval cathedral in Russia. The Naval St. Nicholas Cathedral is the high-altitude dominant of Kronstadt (its height exceeds 70 meters); in clear weather, its domes are clearly visible from any point of the Neva Fairway and the shore of the Gulf of Finland.

The suspended pedestrian bridge Makarovsky connects the two banks of the Petrovsky ravine, which served to drain the Petrovsky dock. The bridge was named in honor of Admiral Makarov.

The Summer Garden is the oldest public place in Kronstadt.

Petrovsky Dock is a unique hydraulic system of canals connected to each other, lined with granite. Construction of the dock began in 1719. Construction was planned to be completed by the spring of 1721, but the work was delayed.

In 1840, at the suggestion of hydrographer M.F. Reineke drew a line on the stone abutment of the Blue Bridge across the Kronstadt Obvodny Canal that corresponded to the average water level of the Gulf of Finland according to observations from 1825-1839. Observations of fluctuations in the level of the Baltic Sea began in 1703, and since 1707 a foot-staff service has been operating in Kronstadt. The zero of the Kronstadt water rod is combined with this line, from which the absolute heights of the Earth's surface, all sea depths on navigation and topographic maps, and cosmic altitudes are calculated. Since 1898, in a special pavilion with a well near the blue bridge, an automatic self-recording tide gauge device has been operating, recording changes in water levels.

The monument was cast according to the model of the Frenchman Theodore Jacques by the Russian sculptor Pyotr Klodt and opened on June 27, 1841. Here Peter I is depicted in full height for the first time. Previously, only busts or equestrian statues of Peter were made - otherwise portrait likeness could not be achieved: the tsar was too thin and thin-legged. To make the emperor the embodiment of power, with the permission of Nicholas I, the figure of Peter was slightly distorted: the stoop disappeared, and the body and legs became much fuller.

The Museum of the History of Kronstadt is located in two buildings - on Yakornaya Square, 2A, and in the building of the old water tower on Leningradskaya Street, 2.

Very close to the Naval Cathedral and Yakornaya Square there is a cozy family cafe-confectionery "Briosh" (Sovetskaya St., 33B, entrance from Roshal St.). In order to have an inexpensive and quick snack in Kronstadt, there is no better place to find. This cafe brews delicious cappuccino, and the assortment of pastries, cakes and homemade drinks makes your eyes wide open.