Interesting facts about Kronstadt Is a great opportunity to learn more about the port cities of Russia. the historic center of the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are many historical monuments and other attractions here.
So, here are the most interesting facts about Kronstadt.
- The date of foundation of Kronstadt is 1704, although then the city was called Kronshlot. Only dozens of years later it acquired its current name.
- It was here in 1864 that the world's first modern-type icebreaker was built, which was called Pilot.
- Catherine II (see interesting facts about Catherine II) planned to move the admiralty to Kronstadt, as a result of which she ordered to rebuild the corresponding infrastructure. However, her son Paul I, after ascending to the throne, canceled the project.
- The city has preserved the only ring-shaped cast-iron pavement in Russia.
- After a massive flood in 1824, most of the buildings in Kronstadt were virtually destroyed. For this reason, in the following years the city had to be rebuilt. This flood is described in Pushkin's The Bronze Horseman.
- In Kronstadt, the 41st round-the-world expedition was organized, and the crews of local ships made 56 serious geographical discoveries.
- For the first time in history, not only icebreakers, but also divers appeared in Kronstadt.
- More than 300 historical and cultural monuments are concentrated in the city.
- In the period 2014-2016. the cruiser Aurora was leaving its eternal parking lot for repairs in Kronstadt.
- At the height of the Crimean War (1853-1856), mines were planted in the waters of the Gulf of Finland around Kronstadt, which prevented the invasion of the Anglo-French fleet into St. Petersburg (see interesting facts about St. Petersburg). Curiously, this was the first use of sea mines in history.
- During the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), the dome of the Naval Cathedral served as a landmark for Soviet pilots.
- In 1996, Kronstadt ceased to be considered a closed city, as a result of which both Russians and foreigners could visit it.
- In the entire history of the existence of the Kronstadt fortress, not a single enemy ship could sail past it.
- During the Leningrad blockade, the city was held by the Red Army. The famous small road of life connected Oranienbaum, Kronstadt and Lisiy Nos.
- As of today, about 44,600 inhabitants live in Kronstadt, which occupies an area of 19.3 km².
