The northern forts include the fortifications (batteries) numbered from the first to the seventh, which form a chain of islands along the northern part of the dam, as well as two larger fortress forts, "Obruchev" and "Totleben." Upon completion of their construction, the northern forts of Kronstadt became the second line of defense of the northern fairway. The numbered northern fortifications were built on a crib foundation with log platforms, on which artillery fortifications were also constructed from logs. (Cribs are log frameworks filled with soil, forming the basis of artificial islands.) In 1863, by order of military engineer Eduard Ivanovich Totleben, all northern fortifications were rebuilt in stone and concrete according to the advanced fortification construction technologies of that time. By the end of the 20th century, the numbered northern forts could no longer withstand enemy long-range artillery, and it became necessary to build new fortifications further from the fortress. It was decided to construct two artillery fortifications north of Kotlin Island at distances of 10 and 4 kilometers from the island so that the northern fairway would pass between them. The construction of forts named A and B began in 1896-1897 and was completed in 1913. Additionally, 27 km of continuous pile-crib barriers were built, zigzagging across the fairway, which enemy ships could not see in advance.
The Second Northern Fort was built as part of the project to strengthen the defensive structures of the Kronstadt fortress in 1855–1856.
In 1865, by special order, new rifled 11-inch guns were developed for the forts on the northern side. The guns were ordered and manufactured in Germany at the Krupp factory. Fort 2nd Northern. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, forts No. 1, 3, 5, and 7 were armed with anti-aircraft artillery and became part of the air defense system of the Kronstadt fortified sector of the Baltic Fleet's coastal defense. During the Great Patriotic War, anti-aircraft guns were installed on the fort's territory.
To this day, partially preserved are concrete and earthen traverses, barracks, and 2 pillboxes in good condition (some tourists use them for overnight stays). In 1990, the Kronstadt forts were included in the World Heritage Site "Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments." The fate of the fort mirrors that of its counterparts: since the late 1950s, after the military left, the fort has been abandoned and deteriorating. But its distinctive austere beauty still attracts history enthusiasts and lovers of picturesque spots.
Sources:
https://nafort.ru/fort_2N.html
