Kronstadt

  The building of the city-fortress began by instructions of Tsar Peter I in autumn 1703 from laying the Kronslott Fort («Crown Castle») on sandbank to the south of Kotlin Island. It was aimed to close a Neva River mouth waterway from enemies. Kronstadt was a large training centre of fleets' staff. It was Naval Cadet Corps here from 1771 to 1798. The ships putting out to long voyages were equipped in Kronstadt naval port. Only in period of 1803-1855 the Russian seamen made 41 voyages from Kronstadt to Far East and Alaska shores. Now Kronstadt is the district of St. Petersburg.
  Its population totals 45000 men. Despite of dramatic events of its history, Kronstadt saved unique architectural face of the last centuries.