19th Century Port Crane

Makarovskaya St., 4, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197760

On the western shore of the pond, an old 19th-century port crane has been preserved. With the help of such a crane, the masts were removed from the ships after they were taken out for winter storage to be kept on land. In the spring, before the start of navigation, the same crane was used to reinstall the masts back onto the ships.

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

On the western shore of the pond, an old port crane from the 19th century has been preserved. With the help of such a crane, masts were removed from ships after they were taken out for winter storage to be kept on land. In the spring, before the start of navigation, the same crane was used to reinstall the masts back onto the ships.

Follow us on social media

More stories from Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

Sinebryukhovs, a forgotten famous Russian family

Lenina Ave, 49, 2nd floor, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197760

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

The Sinebryukhovs – a merchant family famous throughout Russia – are one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurial dynasties. This family is known globally by the brand "Koff," under which beverage producers operate in dozens of countries. The National Gallery of Finland is the main collection of Western European paintings left to his new homeland by Pavel Sinebryukhov, along with the palace and park built by his elder brother Nikolai… (Such extensive philanthropy was not typical of Scandinavian merchants and entrepreneurs). The Russian-born entrepreneur and his wife created a precedent here…

Petrovsky Ravine

Ovrazhny Park, Manezhny Lane, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197762

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

Petrovsky Ravine is one of the main parts of the dock named after Peter the Great; during the unrest that occurred after the February Revolution, it served as a place where executed naval officers were dumped.

Makarovsky Bridge over Petrovsky Ravine

Makarovsky Bridge, Makarovsky Bridge, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197762

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

In the center of Kronstadt, there is a small Makarov Bridge. The crossing is protected by the state as a monument of history and architecture of the 20th century. It looks magical, and it’s no surprise that this elegant, intricate, technical, light, and amazingly beautiful little bridge has become a favorite spot for newlyweds. They like to take traditional photos here. The resulting shots are quite tender and intimate. And the crossing was built in just 3 months.

Peter the Great's Dock

Makarovskaya St., 71, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197762

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

Russia: Industrial Heritage

“…This building, which not only can compete in excellence with the best ancient works, but also far surpasses them in suitability and usefulness, and is now unique in the whole world” *Saint Petersburg Gazette*, October 13, 1752

Dock basin of the Peter the Great dock

Yakor'naya Square, 3, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197762

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

Russia: Industrial Heritage

The dock basin was built near the Maritime St. Nicholas Cathedral, next to the Summer Garden, according to the project by engineer Lyuberas. Its construction lasted from 1734 to 1752. The average water level in the basin was 11.4 meters.

Peter the Great Canal

Makarovskaya St., 2a, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197762

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

The history of the Petrovsky Canal for ship entry into the dock begins in the spring of 1719. On March 18, at the house of Prince A. D. Menshikov on Vasilievsky Island, Peter I instructed Captain and engineer Edward Leine, an Englishman in Russian service, to start building a canal that was to run through the entire island. The western part of the canal was planned to be extended to the sea, the eastern part to end with a huge basin, with three slipways arranged on each side. The first piles were driven in as early as March 24. From Peter's decree dated May 8, 1719: "to begin the canal near the cathedral church of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle from the seashore to the docks, and to finish the docks, as well as the sides of the canal."

Fort "Emperor Alexander I" or Plague Fort

XPQ9+Q3 Kronstadt District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

Kronstadt - a fort fortress

Plague Fort is one of the long-term structures that are part of the Kronstadt defense system. Its other name is Fort "Emperor Alexander I." The building stands on a small artificial island south of Kotlin Island. Plague Fort was constructed from 1838 to 1845. It was a typical casemated sea fort of that time. It resembles the famous French Fort Boyard, whose construction was completed much later than that of "Alexander I." From 1899 to 1917, it was used as a laboratory for plague research.

The Miniukh House, also known as the House of the Chief Commander of the Kronstadt Port

Makarovskaya St., 71, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197762

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

The Governor's Houses are a complex of historic buildings in Kronstadt. They were built between 1717 and 1725. The site is a federally significant cultural heritage object. The houses are located between Petrovskaya and Makarovskaya streets. They were named "Governor's Houses" because they were constructed, by order of Peter I, using the resources and labor of the province, with the construction overseen by the governor. The order for their construction was issued on March 10, 1714. Their erection was intended to be completed in the shortest possible time. They were built according to a standard design, three stories high, with tall basements. However, the work was delayed; the first houses began to be erected only in 1717, and the work was completed only in 1725, after the death of Peter I. The architect and probable author of the project was Johann Friedrich Braunstein, with H. Konrad as his assistant.

Italian palace

Karl Marx St., 1/1, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197760

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

On Makarovskaya Street is located one of Kronstadt's main attractions – the Italian Palace, one of the oldest buildings in the city. It was built between 1720 and 1724 according to a design by Braunstein. In the early 19th century, the palace acquired a second name – the "Palace of Alexander Danilovich Menshikov," which is connected to the fact that the stone palace of the sovereign was erected on a site where wooden chambers of the most illustrious prince once stood. This mistaken attribution can still be found in modern travel guides and scholarly literature. After the renovations by Anert and Akutin in the mid-19th century, the building's appearance changed beyond recognition. None of the original Petrine Baroque interiors have been preserved.

Fort Kronshlot

XPHX+QF Kronstadt District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

Kronstadt - a fort fortress

On May 7 (18), 1704, Peter I set out from Saint Petersburg to Kotlin Island on several ships. Under his orders, fourteen 6-pounder guns were installed in the embrasures of the fort's tower. Then, Novgorod Metropolitan Iova performed the ceremony of consecrating the new Russian fortress, which was named "Kronshlot" (Crown Castle). This day is now celebrated as the founding day of Kronstadt.

Fort "Peter I" or "Citadel"

XPQM+W7 Kronstadt District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

Kronstadt - a fort fortress

Fort "Peter I" or "Citadel" is a historical and architectural monument of the 18th century. It was created to protect the Merchant Harbor from the south. It is under state protection. It is located near Kronstadt. Peter I, understanding that one Kronshlot was not enough to defend Kronstadt and Saint Petersburg from the Swedes, arrived at Kotlin in May 1705 to place a coastal battery on the island. The construction was overseen by Kruys, and the battery was named Saint John.

The story of the musical riverboat – a piece of the history of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Queen in Kronstadt

Kronstadt, Zimnyaya, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197762

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

Ships, like people, each have their own destiny. Sometimes it is unique. Millions of people on the planet are fans and simply admirers of the famous bands Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Queen. Surprisingly, the creative destinies of these legendary groups intersected on board a simple ferry that transported Hamburg residents across the Elbe. But even more amazing is the fact that today tourists and rock fans can take a journey around the forts of Kronstadt on this ship.

Baltic Fleet Machine School

Petrovskaya St., 9, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197762

Petersburg: Masterpieces of Art Nouveau

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

Russia: Industrial Heritage

Secrets of Palace Coups - Ioann III (VI) Antonovich

Anyone who has ever walked along Petrovskaya Street in Kronstadt has seen the building with a huge stained-glass window in the Art Nouveau style. This is the former machine school of the Baltic Fleet; it housed the stokers' school, and inside the building there was a working model of a military ship's stoker room, a machine school, and a marine technical college.

Hemp Bridge

Petrovskaya St., 6b, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197762

Petersburg: Bridges, Their Stories and Legends

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

Russia: Industrial Heritage

The Penkovy Bridge was built in 1873 and rebuilt in 1887-1888. Drawbridges over the Obvodny Canal, which the Penkovy Bridge originally was, allowed the passage of sailing ships with tall masts along the canal. It spans the Obvodny Canal. The crossing acquired its modern appearance in 1971–1972, during another reconstruction. The bridge has preserved the historic roadway surface, made of cast iron tiles.

Cast iron pavement in Kronstadt

Petrovskaya St., 6b, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197762

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

The famous Cast Iron Pavement has been preserved in Kronstadt only at Anchor Square and the Penkov Bridge. This is the only place in Russia where you can see such a road surface. Roads covered with cast iron blocks were common in the 19th century in the USA. In Russia, as in other European countries, roads were paved with stone masonry.

Tolbukhin Lighthouse

Kronstadt Highway, 74, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197761

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

Approaching Saint Petersburg from the Baltic Sea side, on a small artificial islet at the tip of the Kotlin Spit, extending northwest from Kotlin Island, a lighthouse was erected nearly three hundred years ago. This is one of the oldest lighthouses in the Baltic and in Russia, built by order of Peter I. The sea route to our city—the maritime channel, or the "Tornaya Road" (as it was formerly called)—begins at its traverse. It is listed in the register of cultural heritage sites of regional significance and, together with the forts of Kronstadt, is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

Fort Porokhovoy or the Gunpowder Cellar of the Naval Department

XRQ7+R9 Kronstadt District, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

World: Prison Islands, Active and Historical

Kronstadt - a fort fortress

In Kronstadt, there used to be many powder magazines in ancient times. Both on the island itself, at the forts of the Kronstadt fortress, and on the ships. Throughout Kronstadt’s history, gunpowder explosions happened frequently: due to lightning, careless handling, and as a result of sabotage. Therefore, when they began building the Northern numbered forts, it was decided to construct a powder magazine close to the forts but still far from the city. The entire architecture of the fort fully met the requirements for the safe storage of gunpowder and ammunition: island location, a powerful foundation made of granite blocks, two-meter-thick brick walls, and the most advanced heating and ventilation system of that time. Inside, the “Powder Magazine” is a two-level warehouse, with rooms connected by galleries; on the floor, you can still see the remains of rails along which small wagons were moved—this allowed for the rapid transportation of ammunition within the fort.

Kronstadt slide rule and mareograph

Makarovskaya St., 1, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197760

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

To monitor the rise of water and warn about possible floods, a staff gauge service was established in Kronstadt in 1707 (a staff gauge is a special ruler used to measure the water level). In 1840, a zero mark of the average water level of the Baltic Sea over fourteen years was applied to the pier of the Stone Bridge in Kronstadt. It was updated several times, with the last copper plaque and staff gauge installed in 1951. This mark is called the "zero of the Kronstadt staff gauge" or the "zero of the Baltic height system," and measurements of land elevations and sea depths in Russia and the countries of the former USSR are based on it. The Russian leveling network relies on the zero of the Kronstadt staff gauge.

The Wishing Tree

Karl Marx Street, 13, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197760

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

The Wishing Tree is a monument located in the center of Kronstadt. The attraction appeared on the island in 2004. Local blacksmiths from the construction company "Irina" gifted the structure to the city in honor of its 300th anniversary. This remarkable object draws the attention not only of the native residents but also of numerous tourists.

Blue Bridge (Kronstadt)

Karl Marx St., 1/1, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197760

Petersburg: Bridges, Their Stories and Legends

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

The Blue Bridge is a vehicular and pedestrian bridge over the Obvodny Canal in Kronstadt. It is famous for the Kronstadt footstock installed here and is considered a historical and architectural monument.

Italian Pond

Makarovskaya St., 5-3, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197760

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

The Italian Pond is part of the Merchant Harbor, where trading ships that came to Kronstadt wintered. From the Italian Pond, goods from the ships were delivered via the Obvodny Canal, which flows out of it, to the trading rows (later to the Kronstadt Gostiny Dvor). It was constructed between 1717 and 1727 under the direction of the architect Fontana, at the same time as the Italian Palace. It took its name from the palace.

Dutch Cuisine

Makarovskaya St., 2, Kronstadt, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197760

Kronstadt: History, Legends, and Attractions

A monument of history and architecture of the 19th century. The architect is unknown. It is under state protection. Located in Kronstadt between the Italian Pond and the Merchant Harbor.