Sights of Vyborg in one day

To visit Europe, admire stone medieval houses and walk along cobblestone streets, it is not at all necessary to obtain a Schengen visa and save for an expensive trip; it is enough to buy a ticket to the city of Vyborg, which is located 140 km from St. Petersburg.

Vyborg is truly a unique city for Russia! Despite the depressing state of many buildings, it is here that you can see a whole layer of preserved Western European medieval settlements, which absorbed the culture of four peoples at once: Swedish, Prussian, Finnish and German.

We will tell you the history of this small, but undoubtedly interesting city, and also introduce you to the most iconic and valuable historical sights that can easily be seen in one day.

Vyborg Castle

Undoubtedly, the main attraction of Vyborg is the Vyborg Castle . It was built in 1293 on a small rocky island during the Third Swedish Crusade to the Karelian lands. From its founding until 1710, Vyborg Castle remained an impregnable outpost, and its dominant watchtower and battle tower of St. Olav was long considered the tallest tower in Scandinavia.

Vyborg Castle

Vyborg Castle was attacked many times, after which it was repaired, strengthened and rebuilt. It has survived to this day in more or less original form.

Vyborg Castle, courtyard

Now the Vyborg Castle houses museum and interactive exhibitions, where absolutely every guest can transform into a medieval knight, and an observation deck is open on the St. Olaf Tower.

Interactive museum in Vyborg Castle

What interesting things to see on the way to Vyborg Castle

Our route starts from the railway station building. While we are moving towards the Old Town, I will tell you what details you should pay attention to.

Vyborg map

Railway station in the style of “Welcome to USSR”

By the beginning of the 20th century, the Vyborg railway station was in 3rd place in terms of the number of goods sent and received. The construction of the new station was commissioned to be designed by Finnish architects Elielius Saarinen and Hermann Geselius. Almost immediately after construction, the station was recognized as an architectural monument of world significance.

During World War II, when Soviet soldiers left Vyborg, the station building was blown up. Two granite bear sculptures have survived . One of the station bears now stands at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, the other is very close to the station, in Triangular Square.

Before the construction of the new building, Soviet designers took part in a competition. The customers wanted visitors to see that they were visiting the country of “victorious socialism.” The winning project featured both a central stained glass window and monumental columns—recognizable architectural features of the Stalin era.

Red Square and the old Swedish legend

The main square of Vyborg is called Red / photo by the author
The historical name of this place is Red Well Square.

In the Middle Ages there was a spring here. At the end of the 6th century, one of the darkest events in the history of Vyborg took place next to it. Here, after the coup d'etat, supporters of the Swedish king Sigismund were executed. Among those executed was the commandant of the Vyborg Castle.

According to legend, the water from the source turned red after this event. Afterwards, a well was built on the square, and the people also called it red. In Soviet times, a sculpture of V. Lenin was erected on the site of the Red Well. The height of the monument is about 6 meters.

Parking for horses at Market Square and Fat Katka

Market Square / photo by the author
Our route passes through Market Square. You can see numbers on the paving stones. Such “parking” spaces have been preserved since the Middle Ages. They were needed to ensure that sellers with carts did not take other people’s places at the market. Fairs are still held on Sundays in the market square. And in the Round Tower, built in 1300, throughout its history there was a prison, a pharmacy, for some time cattle were kept in the building, and now there is a restaurant.

According to one legend, this tower was called “Tolstoy” , because during a visit to Vyborg, Empress Catherine the Great ordered a dome to be made for the tower. In her opinion, the flat roof looked less aesthetically pleasing. The new dome added a “pot-bellied” look to the tower, and the name stuck and has survived to this day.

Address of the Round Tower: Market Square, 1.

The oldest residential building in Russia

The oldest residential building in Russia.
Built 500 years ago / photo by the author Located on Krepostnaya Street. The building was built in the middle of the 16th century. People still live in it. For the last 50 years it has belonged to two Vyborg families. A correspondent from The Village magazine wrote about the residents of the house. In the report, a resident of the house talks about the large flow of tourists, answers the question: is there a restroom in such an old house (there is), talks about the huge utility bills and fatigue from the tourist flow.

Address: Krepostnaya st., 13A.

City clock of the 15th century and the story of a Vyborg schoolboy

Clock tower / photo by the author
In 2016, an unusual story happened with this clock. An ordinary schoolboy wound up an ancient clock mechanism that had not worked for more than 20 years. The clock tower had been in disrepair for many years. While the Vyborg authorities were dealing with the contractor, high school student Ivan Pershin climbed an abandoned tower out of curiosity. Seeing the watch not working, the young man tried to wind it, and he succeeded. Ivan learned exactly how the clock mechanism works from a video on the Internet.

The clock tower appeared in cinema. An episode of the 1973 film “Sannikov Land” was filmed here, in which Oleg Dal’s character climbs a tower without a safety net and blindfolded.

Today, the entrance to the tower is closed to tourists ; restoration work inside has not been completed.

Address: Krepostnaya st., 5.

Film Sannikov Land

Old Town Hall

In 1403, Vyborg received a charter with city rights from King Eric of Pomerania. However, Vyborg acquired a town hall building only in the 17th century: first wooden, then (in 1643) stone. In 1898, the Old Town Hall was reconstructed in the Renaissance style. To this day it is a beautiful calling card of Vyborg.

In front of the town hall there is a monument to the founder of Vyborg. Marshal Thorgils Knutsson was the initiator of the fateful Swedish crusade against the Karelian lands in 1293. The monument was erected in 1908 and became the first monument in Vyborg.

Old Town Hall in Vyborg. Address: st. Serf, 2

Town Hall Tower

By the second half of the 15th century, the city had grown greatly, and in the event of an attack, the castle could no longer shelter all its inhabitants. Then, in the 1470s, a stone wall about 2 km long and up to 6 meters high was erected around residential buildings, after which Vyborg became one of the four most fortified cities in Sweden.

Ten battle towers were built into the “Stone City” (the so-called city fortifications of Vyborg). Only one has survived to this day - the Town Hall Tower . The tower acquired its name only several centuries later, when it was assigned to the jurisdiction of the City Hall.

Town Hall Tower in Vyborg. Address: st. Vyborgskaya, 13A

Round Tower

The city fortifications were constantly improved, and in the 16th century, by order of the Swedish king Gustav Vasa, a powerful Round Tower was built, which is popularly called “Fat Catherine”.

To increase the viewing angle and shelling, the Round Tower was located in front of the city wall and was connected to the city by a narrow passage. This effective method of fortification is called a barbican. In 1556, the Round Tower successfully repelled the attack of the troops of Ivan the Terrible. Nowadays there is a restaurant in the tower with the same name “Round Tower”.

To the right of the Round Tower is a modest two-story building - Gottfried's Pharmacy , the oldest pharmacy in Finland, opened in 1689.

Round Tower or Fat Catherine in Vyborg. Address: pl. Market, 1

Medieval history of Vyborg

Again, a little history: As I already said, Vyborg was regularly stormed, and this was done by both enemies and their own. For example, in 16.., the Swedish King, having learned that the governor of the castle, instead of strengthening it, spent all the money on women and tournaments, gathered an army and came to recapture his castle. The viceroy was happy with the king, but his army was not very happy, and he fled.

Vyborg was a very rich city, because it was located on the very border, had its own port, and most importantly, goods that were highly valued in Europe: Swedish iron and local furs.

Therefore, the King valued the city very much and ordered it to be strengthened. The whole of Vyborg was surrounded by a powerful wall.

It’s easy to understand its size now - only 2 towers remain from these walls - the Round Tower and the Town Hall Tower.

Round Tower

It was created to protect Vyborg from daring attacks, and now has become a symbol of the city. People call her Tolstoy Ekaterina. What was inside this building - ownerless cattle lived here, there was a pharmacy, warehouses and even a prison...

But now there is... a restaurant! Yes, yes, in such an unusual place you can eat. True, we didn’t go here, we first looked on Tripadvisor - the rating leaves much to be desired. Total 2.5. But I’ll tell you where you can eat – more on that below.

Market Square

The market square is located very close to the station and on the very border of the old city (It is right next to the round tower).

It’s as if styles are mixed here - modern and ancient. You can see numbers on the paving stones. It turns out that these are “parking” spaces for... horses and carts! And recently, the square has become a venue for sports competitions and concerts.

Now there are about 10 tents with souvenirs, as well as various tourist attractions: a photo of you chained in stocks, or a photo on the throne. The coolest in all this are the animators, they work 100%.

Burger's House

This is an information center located in a medieval building. Here you can book excursions, buy a guidebook or a city map, buy souvenirs (by the way, they are 30% cheaper here than in the castle).

Many people have bought craft beer here, they say it’s very praised, but I haven’t tried it.

House on the cliff

This is an ordinary residential building, but it stands on top of a huge boulder! I don’t know if it’s worth going specifically, but it’s in the very center and you’re unlikely to pass by.

Church of St. Hyacinth

This Gothic-style building is an example of how even the oldest walls can survive to this day. It's quite surprising, because... The building was rebuilt many times, and at first it was completely wooden.

Again, you shouldn’t specifically look for it, but it’s in the very center and it’s nice to walk past.

Clock tower

The most photographed tower in Vyborg, it is located next to the castle and one of the most picturesque streets runs from it. The city cannot be imagined without this rarity.

Even if you have never been to Vyborg, this attraction will seem familiar. And all because she was “exposed” in the film “Sannikov’s Land”. Oleg Dal climbs up this tower for a bet blindfolded. Well, at least that’s what they showed us - in fact, the climb was carried out by climbers.

They say that for the film, the director ordered all the antennas that were in the frame to be removed from the houses, and the filming took place during the football championship, so angry fans gathered under the tower. I had to give everyone 100 rubles, which was good money for those times.

Ruins of the Pretzel Cathedral

The Vyborg pretzel is a kind of symbol of the city, like, for example, the Tula gingerbread or the Crystal Goose service.

The story is actually simple, there was an order of monks, it was generally unremarkable, except that their pretzels were supplied to the court of some kings of that time. After 150 years, the order collapsed.

The strange ruins in the courtyard near the Clock Tower are the ruins of the order’s main cathedral.

Citizen's House

It gives me goosebumps to think that this house is already 430 years old! This is the oldest residential building in Russia! Yes, yes, people live in it!

Barely “living” plaster covers the red bricks and granite boulders. The people living inside are already tired of tourists coming here. But they can be proud that their home is worthy of the interest of travelers.

Town Hall

It was built by the Swedes back in the 15th century. The name stuck due to the fact that at the time of its foundation it belonged to the council of Vyborg and there was an armory in it. But after the capture by Peter I, it was rebuilt into a bell tower.

With the outbreak of the Finnish-Soviet war, such landmarks as Mon Repos (about which I wrote a separate article), the old Town Hall square and the tower were damaged. The destruction of the Town Hall spire occurred on the last day of the war.

By the way, there is a cafe “Krendel” at the town hall. I wouldn’t say that they are anything special there, just the fact of eating a pretzel at a table in the oldest square. It costs the same everywhere - 100 rubles.

Town Hall Tower

It rises above almost everything, reminiscent of medieval Europe in style. It was built as a city fortification. Armor and weapons were stored inside in case someone decided to raid.

It is located far from everything interesting; it is not worth wasting time on it. This tower is part of the history of Vyborg, but, it seems to me, it is of no interest to a traveler.

House of a burgher (citizen)

Permanent garrisons and strong walls attracted artisans and traders looking for a quiet life. Merchants from the German cities of the Hanseatic League visited Vyborg, supplying the inhabitants with grain, wine and salt. From here they took northern goods: Swedish copper, iron, oil, hides, furs. It often happened that foreigners stayed to live here, built houses for themselves and started families.

House of a burgher (citizen) in Vyborg.

At the moment, only four city houses with the status of “medieval architectural monument” have survived in Vyborg. One of them (a house dating back to the 16th century) is located in the center of Progonnaya Street and is called the “ Burger’s Estate ”. Burger is translated from German as “resident of the fortress.” Obviously, only a wealthy city dweller could afford such a three-story house. Now it houses a tourist information center with a museum exhibition.

House of a burgher (citizen) in Vyborg. Address: st. Progonnaya, 7A

What else can you see in the city?

In fact, the city still has many interesting places and some local attractions that I would advise you to see, or that you will definitely pass while walking around the city.

Or, on the contrary, I think that something is not at all worth your time, so I put it at the end of the list.

Tram

One of the most interesting cafes in the city. This is a small tram-coffee shop, surrounded by a couple of statues for photos, and in the evenings a violinist often comes and plays live romantic music for visitors.

Very cool place! I advise you to come in, drink coffee and take a photo

Red Square

When there was no square here yet, people came to the source at this place for water. But as the city expanded, an area for trade was formed. Since Soviet times and until now, demonstrations and parades have been held here.

The central exhibit of the square is a monument to Lenin. But to be honest, this place is not worth visiting. I didn’t find anything here that a tourist should see.

A. Aalto Library

This is one of eleven libraries that Alvar Aalto built. The rest are abroad. In Vyborg it was built so thoughtfully that it became a starting point in the development of library architecture.

The war between the Soviet Union and Finland caused damage to the building, but still the library survived. True, in 1944, due to the assault, the building suffered serious damage and stood abandoned for a long time.

After various reconstruction plans, the library gradually “came to its senses,” but it finally acquired a civilized appearance only in 2013. It is noticeable that people visit it - on Tripadvisor you can find many “fives” in recent reviews. But in my opinion, it’s not worth wasting time visiting this building.

Drakkars

This name will probably seem familiar to fans of the Vikings series. Drakkars are long ships with a dragon carved on the front. They were donated to the city for the filming of the film “And Trees Grow on Rocks.” It tells about the Viking Age.

This unusual attraction has become popular among tourists. If you pass by, you can take a couple of photos. But I wouldn’t recommend looking for this place specifically.

Hackman House - Granite Palace

It is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Vyborg. The house belongs to the Northern Art Nouveau style. On the facades you can see images of birds, animals and trees.

In the 90s, businessmen bought buildings in the historical center, but with the advent of the crisis this became irrelevant. What fate awaits this house is now unknown to anyone.

House of Lallukka

There was a store on the first floor of the building, the family of the owner of the house lived on the second, and housing was rented out to the rich on the third and fourth. The Second World War left the building in ruins. But in the 21st century, restoration was completed.

The decoration of the facade catches the eye - again, animals and plants are visible here. Interesting reliefs add charm to the building. For example, you can see a gnome with a pistol.

Main Post Office building (Vyborg)

The war took pity on the building, and it remained standing in its original form. Today it is still used for its intended purpose. But the general condition leaves much to be desired - it was declared unsafe. Large pieces of plaster began to fall off there. It was promised that the reconstruction would be completed in 2014, but things did not go beyond words.

Moose statue

This sculpture stands near Red Square. It was installed already in 1928. The monument itself is 3.5 meters in height, and it stands on a 0.8 meter pedestal. It is considered one of the symbols of Vyborg. The Finnish sculptor erected it, keeping in mind the Kalevala.

The Vyborg moose has copies in Finland. There is a legend that you need to rub an animal’s hooves if you want to return to the city healthy. I don’t believe in these signs, and the statue itself, in my opinion, does not deserve to waste attention on it.

House of the Merchant Guild of the Holy Spirit

The house of the merchant guild of the Holy Spirit , built in the 14th century, is considered the oldest surviving civil building in Vyborg. In the 16th century, the house was acquired by the merchant guild of the Holy Spirit and began to use it for trade negotiations.

Initially, this house was two-story, but over 7 centuries the level of the ground around the house has risen so much that the first floor turned into a basement. At the moment, the merchant guild house is empty.

House of the merchant guild of the Holy Spirit in Vyborg. Address: st. Vyborgskaya, 8

Hyacinth Church

Beginning in the 16th century, a stone building was built on this site, which housed the school of the Franciscan monastery. A little later, the building was given to a merchant family for housing, and in order to fit the house into the new street layout, an extension was made to the building, which is why the house has such an ambiguous shape. Since then, the house has changed owners several times, and at the end of the 18th century it was adapted into a Catholic chapel for the parish of St. Hyacinth . Currently, the building is occupied by an art gallery.

Church of Hyacinth in Vyborg. Address: st. Vodnoy Zastava, 4

Old Cathedral and Clock Tower

The ancient Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Olaf was built in 1418. Over its centuries-old history, the cathedral was revived from ruins several times and served the Catholic, Lutheran and Orthodox communities of Vyborg. During the Second World War, the cathedral burned down and has not been restored since then. It is difficult to say whether one of the oldest landmarks of Vyborg will be restored or simply demolished.

Ruins of the old cathedral in Vyborg. Address: st. Watchtower 6

In 1494, a bell tower was built at the cathedral. Damaged by a fire in the 17th century, it was rebuilt, acquired a clock mechanism and has since become the Clock Tower. The Clock Tower is, of course, the main and most recognizable dominant feature of old Vyborg. Under threat of collapse from late 2014 to mid-2022. The tower was first undergoing conservation and then restoration. Now the tower is open to visitors; it offers a wonderful view of the old city and Vyborg Castle.

Clock tower in Vyborg. Address: st. Serf, 5B

Vyborg

Video: Vyborg

History of Vyborg

In the 13th century, the territory of Vyborg was inhabited by Karelians, who founded their settlement here and built a guard post on a small island. During one of the Crusades, the Swedes, who had long had their eyes on this tasty and strategically important piece of land, destroyed the settlement, and on the site of the razed fort they built a castle and called it Vyborg. The ancient Swedish name translated as “holy fortress”. It was distant 1293. Despite the existing contradictory historical facts, the honor of being considered the founder of the castle belongs to the valiant Marshal Thorgils Knutsson.

Beginning of development

The seriousness of the Swedes' intentions to settle in these places for a long time was evidenced by the use of stone and granite blocks for the construction of defensive structures. Over time, a small Swedish settlement of traders and artisans formed on the peninsula next to the castle. Vyborg occupied an advantageous position at the crossroads of trade routes connecting the Baltic countries and the Principality of Novgorod. In 1295, King Birger Magnusson invited all Baltic merchants to travel to trade with the Novgorodians through Vyborg, guaranteeing complete safety for navigation.

Obtaining city status

After the signing of the Orekhovets Peace Treaty in 1323, Vyborg turned from a border settlement into an internal one. All this contributed to its successful development, and on August 19, 1403, Vyborg was officially recognized as a city, receiving, along with a charter issued by King Eric of Pomerania, all the privileges due in this case. Vyborg residents were exempt from trade duties, and the tax from foreign merchants was used to build fortifications and develop infrastructure. Management was carried out by burgomasters and the city council. By the middle of the 15th century, the city had turned into a rich trading center.

Russian period in history

For more than four centuries, Vyborg remained an impregnable stronghold for both the Novgorod princes and the Russian tsars. Only Peter I was able to get it. On June 14, 1710, after a three-month siege, the fortress fell. Vyborg became an outpost defending the new capital, St. Petersburg, from the northwest. Despite the fact that the city and surrounding territories became part of the Russian Empire in 1721, under the terms of a peace treaty with the Swedes, Swedish laws continued to apply here. The Lutheran religion was preserved for the residents, and serfdom did not apply to them.

Vyborg as part of Finland

Since 1811, the Vyborg province, according to the manifesto of Alexander I, was annexed to the Principality of Finland, which, with autonomous rights, was part of the Russian Empire. The city continued to develop: a railway appeared, a new port was built, which took first place in terms of cargo turnover. Vyborg needed territory for warehouses, for which part of the fortifications on the mainland side was dismantled by the townspeople. By 1910, Finns made up 80% of the total population of Vyborg. In December 1917, the Finnish parliament adopted the Declaration of Finnish Independence. Until 1940 and from August 1941 to June 1944, Vyborg belonged to the Republic of Finland, but on June 20 it was returned to the USSR. This day is considered to be City Day.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Vyborg became part of the Russian Federation.

Weather and climate

The climatic conditions of this region are significantly influenced by the Gulf Stream, providing moderately warm summers and mild winters. However, in Vyborg it is still colder than in St. Petersburg, located a little to the south. There is also more precipitation here. The wettest periods are summer, autumn and winter. Keep this in mind when planning a trip to the city.

Winter in Vyborg

The unique atmosphere of the New Year holidays is the main reason why tourists come to this city. Vyborg winter is windy but mild. The average temperature drops to –7…–6 °C.

Spring in Vyborg

By the beginning of April, the snow begins to melt, and warm and dry weather replaces the winter chill. On average, the mercury column of the thermometer rises to +10 °C. Towards the end of the season, more and more tourists appear in the city.

Summer in Vyborg

The most favorite time of year for travelers who come to Vyborg is summer. At the beginning of the season there is practically no precipitation, and the comfortable temperature of +18…+22 °C is ideal for numerous excursions.

Autumn in Vyborg

The first half of autumn can be called a velvet season for tourists coming to Vyborg. Nature is painted in crimson-golden colors, precipitation does not force you to carry an umbrella with you every day, and the temperature of +8...+10 °C allows you to walk around the city without wrapping yourself in winter clothes.

The predominant wind direction is southwest. In spring and summer, white nights are observed here.

Sights of Vyborg

This small and cozy ancient city has captured in its appearance the bright features characteristic of each historical period of its development. A “stone” city with a European face – Vyborg is unlike any other city in Russia. On the territory of the small historical part of the city there are more than three hundred monuments (including medieval ones), which makes Vyborg especially attractive for tourists.

Vyborg Castle

Of course, the visiting card of the city is the Vyborg Castle, where the story began. St. Olaf's Tower, which in the Middle Ages was the highest donjon in Scandinavia, rises 75 meters above the waters of the bay (the height of the building itself is 50 meters). The walls of the castle and its towers were repeatedly reconstructed due to changing fortification requirements.

The greatest prosperity of the Vyborg Castle was celebrated under the governor Karl Knutsson Bund. In addition to strengthening defensive structures and building new towers, a lot of effort and money was spent on improving residential and commercial buildings. A significant part of them have survived to this day, despite repeated sieges of the castle and fires. At the moment, the Museum of Underwater Archeology and the Vyborg Museum of Local Lore are located here.

On the territory of the castle there are permanent and temporary exhibitions dedicated to the rich history of this region. Theatrical performances held here and the interactive exhibition “Knight's Hall” will help tourists plunge into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Here they try on armor, participate in knightly tournaments, and shoot with a crossbow. In summer, the courtyard attracts participants to the annual jazz festival.

Vyborg Castle is located at: Castle Island, 1.

Main article: Vyborg Castle.

Clock tower

The history of one of the most beautiful buildings in Vyborg is very interesting. On the site of the tower, in 1498, the construction of a Catholic church in honor of the saints Virgin Mary and Olaf was completed, the natural foundation of which was a granite platform protruding from the ground. In the middle of the 16th century, the temple was expanded and partially reconstructed, and a bell specially cast for this purpose was installed on the attached bell tower. In the second half of the 17th century, after a fire, the building was repaired and completed in the style of Olaf's Tower: an octagonal superstructure was erected on a tetrahedral base. The tower received its current name after a clock was installed on it in 1660.

At the end of the 18th century, another fire engulfed the whole of Vyborg. Empress Catherine II allocated money from the state treasury for the restoration of damaged buildings and presented the city with an alarm bell, which was subsequently installed on the tower along with a new clock. Its ringing can still be heard over Vyborg today. In 1848, the clock was replaced by adding two more dials.

During the Soviet-Finnish War, the cathedral building was destroyed, but the Clock Tower itself miraculously survived. It is located at 5 Krepostnaya Street. Nearby you can still see the destroyed walls of the old Cathedral.

Main article: Vyborg Clock Tower.

Church of St. Hyacinth

Walking from the Clock Tower about a hundred meters along Vodnaya Zastava Street towards Salakka-Lahti Bay, you can see an interesting building located at an angle, which is surrounded by a low forged lattice. Partially exposed ancient stonework at the base of the structure suggests the historical period of its origin. This is the Church of St. Hyacinth, built at the beginning of the 16th century. Initially, the building housed the school of the Franciscan monastery. In the 17th century, after partial reconstruction, it was used by the noble assembly of Vyborg, receiving the name of the Knight's House. From the beginning of the 19th century, the Catholic Church of St. Hyacinth was located here, which existed until 1940. As a result of restoration work, the building was returned to the appearance of the Knight's House, removing all religious superstructures. Its premises currently house an art gallery. The Church of St. Hyacinth is located at 3 Vodna Zastava Street.

The fifth house on the same street is a building with a remarkable foundation, which is a granite block rising almost three meters above the ground. That’s what they call it – the House on the Rock, built five centuries ago. Most likely, it once belonged to a wealthy merchant.

Market Square

One of the most beautiful squares in Vyborg appeared as a result of the demolition of fortifications at the end of the 19th century. On one side it is washed by the waters of Salakka-Lahti Bay. The square opens to the entrance to the Vyborg Market building, decorated with a small clock tower. Built in 1906, it was the largest in Scandinavia at that time.

On the opposite side of the market, a red brick building in the Gothic style attracts attention. It was built just over a century ago. The Vyborg branch of the Bank of Finland was located here. The building is currently occupied by the Education Committee.

Round Tower

Of course, the central object of the Market Square is the Round Tower. Built in the middle of the 16th century at a short distance from the main wall, it was intended to strengthen the defense capability of the fortress. Its powerful walls, reaching four meters in thickness, reliably covered cannons located on three tiers. After the fall of the fortress in 1710, the tower was renamed St. Petersburg. Later it was used both as an armory and as a prison building.

Due to the bulkiness of the structure, they wanted to demolish the tower at the beginning of the 20th century, but the Finnish architect Uno Ulberg came up with a way to save this medieval monument by proposing to open a restaurant in it. By the way, tourists stop there if they suddenly get hungry while traveling around the city: the establishment is still open today.

The round tower can be found at: Market Square, 1.

Town Hall Tower

The Town Hall Tower is another surviving tower, which was erected in 1470 along with the fortress wall and the other nine towers. The building, about ten meters high (excluding the pyramidal roof), consisted of three tiers, the lower of which was equipped with a passage gate, and the walls of the upper two had loopholes. To conduct flanking fire on the enemy storming the fortress wall, the tower protruded beyond its line. For about two centuries, it reliably sheltered the city’s defenders, fulfilling its role as a defensive structure. In the middle of the 17th century, after the addition of two tiers, the tower began to serve as a bell tower.

The Town Hall Tower is located at Vyborgskaya Street, 15.

Panzerlax

At the end of the 16th century, the fortress was completed on the eastern side, where two additional bastions were also erected. After this, the fortress was often called Horned: the very new structures located in the corners looked like the horns of a fantastic animal. One of the bastions has survived - Panzerlaks, which can be reached by moving from the Town Hall tower along Vyborgskaya Street (towards the mainland) to its intersection with P.F. Ladanov Street. After the restoration of the bastion premises, which lasted three years, they housed the exhibition and the Museum of Archeology - branches of the State Hermitage.

The exhibits of the museum, which is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, found during excavations, will help you learn more not only about the history of Vyborg, but also about the formation of medieval culture of the entire Baltic region. The cost of visiting is 50 rubles (for schoolchildren - 30 rubles, including excursion services). In the halls of the exhibition center, among the paintings of the main exhibition you can see works by Rubens, Van Dyck, Louis de Colery, Jan Brueghel and other representatives of Flemish art. In addition, there are temporary exhibitions here. The entrance ticket will cost 150 rubles; admission is free for schoolchildren and privileged categories of Russian citizens.

Address of the museum and exhibition complex: Ladanova Street, 1.

Old Town Hall Square

Main, City, Town Hall, Thorgils Knutsson Square - whatever they called the cozy and picturesque square of Vyborg. We are talking about the Old Town Hall Square, which is located on the embankment at the beginning of the Fortress Bridge and is the oldest in the city. It has remained virtually unchanged since its founding in the 17th century.

In the center of the square, on a pedestal, stands a bronze sculpture of Marshal Thorgils Knutsson. In one hand the commander clutches a sword, and in the other he holds a shield on which a lion is depicted. The monument was erected in 1908, and forty years later it was dismantled after much controversy. Found in the basement and restored, the monument “returned” on the anniversary of the seven hundredth anniversary of the founding of Vyborg. As before, the marshal looks across the strait, admiring the castle.

Behind the monument, decorating the square, stands the four-story building of the former city hall. It was originally two-story, built in 1963 on the site of a burnt wooden building. The burgomasters and members of the city council (magistrate) met here. During the siege of 1710, the building suffered significant damage, and the magistrate moved to a new building. For two centuries, the former town hall was used for various purposes, and at the end of the 19th century, having received two floors in the neo-Renaissance style as a result of reconstruction, it was used as the Vyborg Museum of History and Ethnography.

There are two more historical buildings on both sides of the square. One of them is the house of Juhan Wekrut, a wealthy Vyborg entrepreneur from the mid-18th century, owner of real estate, sawmills and a small flotilla of merchant ships. The second is the building where the guardhouse of the Vyborg fortress was located in the 18th-19th centuries.

Monument to Peter I

Leading the siege of Vyborg in 1710, Peter I watched the battle from the highest point in the area - a mountain located on the island of Tverdysh, where the headquarters of the Russian troops was located during the battle. Deciding to perpetuate the centenary of this event, Nicholas II ordered the erection of a monument to the great Tsar and Emperor here. Standing on a pedestal, Peter I looks towards the Vyborg Castle, meeting the gaze of the Swedish Marshal Knutsson.

In 2010, at the foot of the mountain on Petrovskaya Square near the Fortress Bridge leading from the mainland to the island, a monument to Admiral General F. M. Apraksin, commander of the Russian army that stormed the city, was erected. After walking about two hundred meters from the monument along Petrovskaya Street, tourists arrive at the perfectly preserved Annensky fortifications.

Temples

Founded during the Crusade, Vyborg has always been a major religious center. At different times, nineteen temples belonging to various faiths operated on its territory. Unfortunately, some of them were destroyed during the wars (especially during World War II), some were rebuilt and repurposed, and some were demolished during the fight against religion.

Transfiguration Cathedral

On Cathedral Square stands a snow-white beauty with roofs matching the color of the sky - the Transfiguration Cathedral. This is the main Orthodox church of Vyborg and the cathedral, one of the best architectural monuments of the Renaissance, built by order of Catherine II. The author of the sketch of the cathedral was the famous Russian artist and architect N. A. Lvov. Initially, the temple, the construction of which was completed in 1793, did not have a bell tower, and its role was played by the Clock Tower standing five hundred meters away. And only a century later, a three-tier bell tower was built, connected to the main building of the cathedral. Almost every tourist who comes to see the sights of Old Vyborg visits the temple, where services are regularly held.

Less visited are the St. Elias Orthodox Church on Onezhskaya Street and the Lutheran Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on Teatralnaya Square.

Parks

On the territory of very green Vyborg there are several picturesque parks and squares where you can relax and have a good time, sitting on a bench in the shade of trees.

Mon Repos

Undoubtedly, the most famous is the only rocky natural park in Russia, Mon Repos. It will enchant you with unique landscapes that delighted the emperors of Russia and the kings of European states. There are many architectural monuments in the park, the acquaintance with which begins right from the entrance, from the main gate, made in the Gothic style. From special observation platforms there is a stunning view of the Monrepos estate, Zashchitnaya Bay and the majestic rocky island of Ludwigstein reflected in its waters - the necropolis of the Nicholas barons, who founded this wonderful park at the end of the 18th century.

Main article: Mon Repos Park.

Esplanade

Another picturesque park where citizens and tourists love to stroll is Esplanade Park. It owes its appearance to the expansion of the territory of the growing city, for which in the middle of the 19th century the ramparts of the Horned Fortress were demolished and the ditches were filled in. A park was laid out on the vacant site and more than two hundred trees were planted. Later, fountains appeared here, and the paths of the park were decorated with sculptures, the most famous of which are “Moose” and “Forest Boy”. In the center of one of the alleys you can see the wooden sculpture “Holy Family” - a dried tree trunk with faces carved on it. In the park there is the Peter and Paul Cathedral, and next to it there is a bust of Mikael Agricola, a Lutheran bishop and the creator of Finnish writing, installed on a pedestal.

Tourist streets

Arriving in Vyborg, tourists go for a walk along Krepostnaya Street. She managed to preserve the spirit of the Middle Ages thanks to the paving stones and ancient houses on both sides of the street. A more pompous atmosphere awaits on Petrovskaya Embankment, from where you can admire some of the city’s sights, and on Lenin Avenue, the main street of Vyborg.

Beaches

Local residents love to relax on Vyborg Beach, located in the old part of the city and overlooking the Gulf of Finland. Tourists who prefer solitude with nature choose the beach on Lake Pionerskoye, 30 kilometers from Vyborg.

About living in Vyborg

The city cannot boast of a huge number of hotels. There are about twenty of them, and they are all concentrated in the Central District - the historical part of Vyborg. If tourists are not embarrassed by the spartan atmosphere, they stay in one of the inexpensive hostels, where accommodation will cost from 600 rubles per night in rooms for 4-6 people. A separate room with two beds will cost 1,700 rubles.

“Pikhta Hostel” (Podgornaya str., 6) is located right next to the ruins of the cathedral and the Clock Tower, five minutes from the Vyborg Castle. Almost nearby is the “Vyborg Hostel” (Vyborgskaya St., 14), and near the Town Hall tower there is the “Parusa” Hostel (Watch Tower St., 17).

For those who love comfort, there are hotels with restaurants, fitness rooms and saunas. Accommodation will cost 5,000 rubles and more. On the corner of Market Square with a view of it and the Salakka-Lahti Bay there is one of these hotels - Victoria Vyborg (40th Anniversary of the Komsomol Embankment St., 1). Less expensive hotels: “Bat”, “Vyborg”, “Ulberg”.

If you are traveling with a large group in several cars and want to stay closer to nature or treat yourself to homemade barbecue, you can rent a small cottage house outside the city.

Booking.com

Where to eat

This question is perhaps irrelevant for Vyborg. Considering the number of tourists arriving here, the city is well prepared to keep them from getting hungry and allowing them to have a good time. Most establishments are decorated in the style of the Middle Ages and will allow you to feel its spirit. This is especially true for the Round Tower restaurant on Market Square. The menu is simply amazing: various cold and hot appetizers, salads, soups and borscht, hot dishes and desserts, a wide range of drinks. They also have their own signature dish – Round Tower steak. The halls are decorated with wall paintings and painted wooden panels, which creates an environment that is fully consistent with the atmosphere of this medieval architectural monument.

Nearby is the Camelot cafe, which is in no way inferior in either its interior or its menu. Just look at the names of the signature dishes: grilled pork “Braveheart”, marinated beef tenderloin “Camelot”, pork and beef “Giant’s Cave” baked in a pot with potatoes and many others. The cost of lunch or dinner is from 650-700 rubles per person and above (depending on culinary preferences and appetite). You can also visit the restaurants “Karelia”, “Bear”, “Respect”. The cuisine here is predominantly European and Russian, but there are places where you can taste Italian or oriental dishes.

There are many cafes in the city where you can sit over a cup of coffee and enjoy dessert. There are two of these on Town Hall Square – “At Knutsson’s” and “Vyborg Pretzel”. By the way, be sure to try these branded pretzels, which have an unusual shape and a pleasant taste.

Transport in Vyborg

Buses and taxis are the main means of transportation around the city, used equally due to their low cost (22 rubles and from 60 rubles, respectively). Previously, there were trams in Vyborg, but they were abolished due to the fact that they created obstacles for other transport, plying through the narrow streets of the city. Sometimes tourists rent scooters, jet skis or bicycles. The price starts from 200 rubles per hour of rental.

How to get there

St. Petersburg is a convenient transfer point to Vyborg.

There is no airport in the city, so tourists land at Pulkovo-1 in St. Petersburg. You need to take bus No. 39 or a minibus to get there by metro. We go underground and get to the Lenin Square station. Here is the Finland Station, where you can take an express train or train to Vyborg. Travel time is one and a half and two hours, respectively. A ticket can be purchased for 210 rubles.

The starting points for traveling by bus from St. Petersburg are the Northern Bus Station in Murino or the bus station near the Parnas metro station. You will spend about two hours on the road and 210 rubles for a ticket.

If you decide to use personal transport, you need to move from St. Petersburg along the Scandinavia highway. Please note that on a weekend you may get stuck in traffic for a short time.

Cathedral of the Dominican Monastery

Another medieval landmark of Vyborg, resting in ruins, is the Cathedral of the Dominican Monastery . The stone Gothic basilica was built in the 1490s. Based on the color of their clothes, the townspeople called the Dominican monks the “Black Brothers,” and their cathedral the “Temple of the Black Brothers.” In 1828-1832. The Gothic basilica was completely rebuilt in the classicist style. The temple was uncritically damaged during the Great Patriotic War, and was even used for some time as a factory workshop, but a fire that broke out in 1989 finally turned the cathedral into ruins.

Ruins of the Cathedral of the Dominican Monastery in Vyborg. Address: st. Vyborgskaya, 11

All sights of Vyborg on the city map

For convenience, I made a detailed map with attractions. It is in A4 format and you can either print it or save it to your phone. It is better to use the large version from the link below, you can greatly enlarge it and read all the streets.

Printable map of Vyborg attractions

Or see all the attractions on the Yandex map

Monuments to Count Apraksin and Peter the Great

After Peter I founded the dream city of St. Petersburg in the Neva delta in 1703, he could not leave Swedish Vyborg in his rear. The first attempt in 1706 to take the fortress ended in failure. But Peter was not one of those whom failure could stop. To begin with, he defeated the Swedes near Poltava in 1709, and a year later he gave an order to Count Apraksin to get ready and march to Vyborg. In March 1710, across the ice of the Gulf of Finland from Kronstadt, Russian troops consisting of 13 thousand soldiers and officers headed to Vyborg, and the siege of the fortress began. Apraksin's troops cut off the land connection between Vyborg and inland Finland, but the superiority of fire and reserves still remained with the Swedes. It seemed that this time Vyborg would remain impregnable.

Monument to Count Apraksin in Vyborg

In May of the same year, Peter I himself boarded the ship and led the fleet through the ice of the gulf, delivering military supplies, provisions and reinforcements to Vyborg. In June 1710, Vyborg surrendered. “The city of St. Petersburg has received security.”

Monument to Peter I in Vyborg

Capture of Vyborg under Peter I

In 1703, Peter I founded St. Petersburg and realized that 100 kilometers from it there was a Swedish city with a port, and if necessary, enemy ships would be in the capital in less than a day. Therefore, Peter orders Prince Apraksin to capture Vyborg.

Vyborg at that time was no longer a medieval castle, but the second most powerful Swedish fortress, made according to all the rules of fortification of that time.

And here the first interesting moment occurs - Prince Apraksin led the army not through the forests, but along the ice of the Gulf of Finland, it turned out to be faster and easier.

They arrived and besieged the city, but it turned out that they had taken little food and had completely forgotten the heavy artillery. There is nothing to break down the walls, and you won’t be able to sit for long, because there is nothing to eat. They only took mortars with them, so they simply shot the city with mounted shells.

Realizing that nothing was working out, Apraksin was about to retreat, but then Peter I personally arrived and brought both guns and provisions. The siege resumed and after a few weeks the garrison surrendered.

Peter was very happy and sent letters to everyone he knew about this. He wrote more than 50 letters that he had taken Vyborg and St. Petersburg was now safe.

From that moment on, Vyborg lost a little of its authority, because more people went to the capital to trade, and Sweden, even after Poltava, decided that “being a world empire” was too problematic, so it began to turn into a small country in northern Europe.

The next batch of Vyborg attractions is connected precisely with these events or with this period.

Peter I. Northern bridgehead

Initially, this was the place from where Peter’s troops stormed the city. The whole picture can be seen in the museum at Vyborg Castle.

Now the restaurant has decided to create a themed area here. For us, this place is interesting because of its observation platform. BUT! In 2022, you can visit the observation deck only by paying entrance to the park - 150 rubles per person. I'm not sure it's worth it.

If you come with children, you can send them to climb, and go up and take pictures, drink coffee and relax for an hour. Otherwise, I don't think the climb is worth the money.

Bastion “Panzerlax”

Once upon a time it was armed - there were cannons on it. And after that - what happened here! They stored gunpowder, there was a hostel, and even a cafe. As a result, Panzerlax became a branch of the Hermitage. This is the only structure that has survived to this day that belonged to the fortification of the Horned Fortress.

There is a painting school nearby, they are on the same hill and the bastion cannons are located around.

There are some good views from here, and the staircase to the school itself is carved into a huge granite stone, it looks cool.

Not bad, but not worth a special visit.

Annensky fortifications

After the capture of Vyborg, Peter I ordered not only to restore serious damage to the Vyborg Castle, but also to build new defensive fortifications, especially on the northwestern side, from where the Swedes were most likely to expect an offensive.

At the beginning of the 1740s, the main work was completed. Four stone crenellated bastions were built, ditches were dug and earthworks were raised. To enter the city, two stone gates were built - the Ravelin Gate and the Friedrichsham Gate.

Friedrichsgam Gate in Vyborg

Ravelin Gate in Vyborg

Annensky fortifications (or otherwise they are also called Annekron ) are a rare surviving monument of Russian defensive architecture of the post-Petrine era. The fortifications received their name in honor of Empress Anna Ioannovna. Today, knightly tournaments, themed festivals and other theatrical performances are held here.

Annensky fortifications, Annekron in Vyborg

Transfiguration Cathedral

After Vyborg annexed to the Russian Empire, the city began to acquire sights in the classicist style.

In 1786, on the instructions of Catherine II, the Orthodox Transfiguration Cathedral . Over the next century, the cathedral changed its appearance several times and even acquired its own bell tower with a clock.

Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral in Vyborg. Address: pl. Sobornaya, 1

Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul

Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul began next to the Transfiguration Cathedral . The new cathedral boasted the only organ in the city. After the Second World War, the temple was practically not damaged and was used as a warehouse, club and cinema hall.

Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Vyborg. Address: st. Pionerskaya, 6

Monrepos Park

A few kilometers from the Vyborg Fortress on the shore of the bay lies the Monrepos landscape park , which is translated from French as “My peace”. The heyday of the park came at the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th century, when, according to the design of an Italian architect, a wooden manor house in the classicist style, a library wing, a greenhouse and an orchard, bridges, pavilions, and a Gothic gate at the entrance were built. The fame of the park was so great that in 1863 Emperor Alexander II visited it.

Mon Repos Park in Vyborg

During Soviet times, the park and the estate were used as a holiday home. At the end of 2022, a large-scale restoration of the park began, during which the main architectural objects of the park were destroyed: the manor house, the temple, and the library wing. More than a thousand trees were also cut down.

Mon Repos Park in Vyborg

Merchant houses and Finnish Art Nouveau

Being a border city, Vyborg repeatedly became a battlefield between bickering neighbors, each time suffering colossal losses. However, there were periods of time in the history of Vyborg when the city lived a quiet life.

For example, after the conclusion of a peace treaty in 1617 and until 1700, Sweden lived without wars, which means that Vyborg flourished and improved. Prosperous merchants built luxurious houses that became a symbol of good times.

Or after the end of the Russian-Swedish War from 1808 for a good hundred years, when Finland became part of Russia, a period of prosperity began for Vyborg. The city became an important administrative unit of the empire, and it was at this time that there was a surge in its development: trade intensified, intensive construction of city blocks was underway, the population increased, and a railway was built.

House of Wekrut

One of the former merchant houses is the Wekruta House, built in the 1650s and reconstructed in 1897. This most prestigious house near the city hall was owned in turn only by the richest residents of Vyborg, one of whom was Juhan Wekrut, a major entrepreneur, owner of houses, a tar mill, sawmills and a flotilla. Being the richest and most beautiful in Vyborg, the Wekrut house performed representative functions: in 1770, the Prussian Prince Henry stayed there, and in 1772, Empress Catherine II.

Wekrut's house in Vyborg (left) and the old town hall (right). Address: st. Severny Val, 3

Buttenhoff House

The former apartment building of the wealthy merchant Emil Buttenhoff, built in 1898. Emil Buttenhoff sold foreign cigarettes and wines. On the ground floor of the house his store was located, and above there were apartments for rent. The house was built at the highest point of Fortress Street, which, combined with the rich facade and turret, made Buttenhof’s business a good advertisement. Now it is a residential apartment building.

Buttenhoff's house in Vyborg. Address: st. Serf, 7

Hoving House

Hoving's house is a beautiful example of Finnish Art Nouveau from 1904, crumbling to dust. Its former owner, Victor Hoving, was a bookseller in Vyborg and Helsinki. On the ground floor of the house there was a bookstore, and above there were residential apartments and some other offices.

Hoving's house in Vyborg. Address: st. Serf, 11

After World War II the house was still residential. However, the building was never renovated and by the end of the 1980s it had become very dilapidated, and residents began to be resettled. A fire that occurred in 2009 completely destroyed the building.

Hoving's house in Vyborg. Address: st. Serf, 11

"Damn Church"

The house was commissioned by the spirits company Viipurin Anniskeluyhtiö in 1890, another example of Finnish Art Nouveau that survived the war. The building housed a restaurant for workers. During Prohibition from 1919 to 1932. this building received the nickname "devil's church". Probably because the company was selling illegal alcohol here.

Address: st. Progonnaya, 9

Bank of Finland

The striking red brick building on the corner of the Market Square was built in 1910 and belonged to the Bank of Finland. For the architect Carl Gustav Nyström, this was the second bank building designed for Vyborg (the first is located at Pionerskaya Street, 2).

The building showed features of historical Hanseatic architecture with neo-Gothic motifs; at the same time, some researchers attribute the building to examples of northern modernism.

Business (left) and the Bank of Finland building (right). Address: Lenin Ave., 2

Central Market

The Vyborg Market building was designed and built in Art Nouveau style in 1905 by the famous architect Karl Segerstadt. Customs benefits and convenient connections by rail contributed to the prosperity of trade. After the war, the market building was badly damaged, but in 1976 it regained its original historical appearance and is now included in the list of the main attractions of Vyborg.

Central market in Vyborg. Address: st. Severny Val, 2

Apartment buildings of the late 20th century

Also on the streets of Vyborg you can find beautiful apartment buildings of the late 20th century, built both before and after the Second World War.

House from 1940. Address: per. Rybny, 2

House from 1940. Address: Lenin Ave., 6

House from 1955. Address: st. Podgornaya, 6

First day

What to see in Vyborg in 2 days? Medieval towers, an ancient castle and some of the oldest buildings in Russia await you. The first day is worth devoting to a walk through the historical center of the city. You will see charming cobbled streets, architectural monuments from different times and atmospheric places reminiscent of old Europe. Although some buildings lack restoration and renovation, you will be able to see interesting structures from the past.

Houses on Lenin Avenue

The route usually starts from the railway or bus station. From them you can go to the Druzhba hotel, near which there are simulating Viking boats “Drakkars” . Walk along Leningradsky Prospect and turn onto Lenin Avenue. Here you will see the former building of the Finnish Bank of Commerce . It was erected at the beginning of the last century. The central façade is lined with gray granite and decorated with female sculptures. Now you can go to the Sberbank branch that is open here and look at the stained glass ceiling. The buildings on both sides of the bank were built a little later, they are decorated with red brick.

Further on, at the intersection with Nikolaev Lane, there is the former National Joint Stock Bank . The building was built in 1901 in the Finnish national-romantic style, which is known as Nordic Art Nouveau. The facade is decorated with various symbolic elements; natural Karelian-Finnish materials (potted stone and granite) were used for decoration. Due to the wars of the last century, some decorations of the house were lost. Decor with floral and marine motifs can be seen on the neighboring building No. 8.

Next along the avenue is Markelov’s apartment building (No. 6). Built at the beginning of the 20th century in the Northern Art Nouveau style with decoration in the form of images from the animal and plant world of Karelia (bears, squirrels, etc.). At the beginning of the avenue (house no. 2) is the former red brick building of the Bank of Finland The building, erected in 1910, is decorated with high reliefs of coats of arms and various symbolic images.

Market Square

The Market Square begins from the former building of the Bank of Finland . Previously, this was the outskirts of the city, here was the Bastion of Eleanor and the Cattle Gate of the fortress wall. Of the historical buildings that remains is the Round Tower from the mid-16th century, in which there is a restaurant. the market located here . The building from the early 20th century was damaged during the war and was restored in 1957. Inside, vendors offer food, clothing and other goods. There are souvenir stalls in front of the market building.

More details: Market Square

Burgher's estate

From the square along Progonnaya Street you walk to one of the oldest houses in the city - the burgher’s estate . This is an architectural monument built in the 16th century. The walls are made of granite boulders, the house has 3 floors. Thanks to the thick walls and small windows, houses of this type are called “small fortresses”; there are 3 more such buildings in Vyborg. A carriage house remained from the former outbuildings around the former estate, and a restaurant was located in it. In the burgher's estate there is a tourist information center with a historical exhibition and a souvenir shop.

Not far from the estate you can see the house on the rock . It is believed that it was built in the 17th century right on a granite rock; it is called the “house of the city barber.” The building was seriously damaged during the war and its appearance has changed greatly.

Details: burgher's estate

Embankment of the 30th Guards Corps

Along Progonnaya Street you will exit to the street. Northern Val, parallel to which runs the embankment of the 30th Guards Corps . the trading house here . It is also called granite palace due to the exterior finishing with this material. The building was built in the first decade of the last century in the Northern Art Nouveau style. During the war it was badly damaged and was restored with differences from its original appearance. From the house you can cross the road and walk along the embankment with a view of the Vyborg Castle .

Next you will see another architectural monument on the street. Northern Val - the house of the merchant Vekrut . It was built in the mid-17th century for the merchant Borchardt. At the time when the merchant Vekrut became the owner of the house, Catherine II stayed here. As a result of the restoration of the 19th century, the building acquired neo-Renaissance features and a bay window appeared.

Old Town Hall Square

Wekrut's house overlooks the Old Town Hall Square . Next to it is the building of the Old Town Hall , which was erected in 1643, and is now a residential building. In front of the Town Hall there is a monument to Torgils Knutsson , the founder of Vyborg Castle. At the beginning of the 18th century. Peter I annexed Vyborg to the Russian Empire, and in the 1770s a one-story guardhouse building . In the 19th century On the site of the dismantled city gates, the statues “Maritime Trade” and “Industry” were installed.

It is believed that the square appeared in the 14th century. Despite repeated reconstructions, the spirit of the Middle Ages is felt here. The square looks European and is one of the favorite places for tourists to take photos.

Details: Old Town Hall Square

Vyborg Castle

From the square, cross the Fortress Bridge to Castle Island. Here is the Vyborg Castle , from which the history of the city is traced. It is definitely included in the attractions of Vyborg, what to see in 2 days. It was founded by the Swedes in 1293; for Russia it is an atypical monument of Western European military architecture. The defensive wall of the “lower courtyard” of the castle was built in the 15th century. After the capture of the city by Peter I c. In 1710, the castle was renovated, but over time it loses its military significance and a garrison is located in it. Fires of the 19th century caused damage to the castle buildings. The barracks were used as a prison; some Decembrists were kept here. A large-scale reconstruction of the castle took place at the end of the 19th century. Since the last century, a museum has been operating on the territory with exhibitions about the history of the city and the castle.

The most remarkable building of the castle, remaining from the Swedes, is St. Olaf's Tower . Since its construction at the end of the 13th century, the tower has been completed several times, and in the 16th century it became 8-sided. Now you can go up to the observation deck, which offers a beautiful view of the city and the bay. There are long queues for the tower, so you should take care of purchasing an online ticket in advance.

Details: Vyborg Castle

Old Cathedral and Clock Tower

After visiting the castle, return to the Old Town Hall Square . One of the oldest streets in the city, Krepostnaya, begins here. The cobbled street is lined with ancient houses, souvenir shops and cafes. Go through the arch at the intersection with the street. Water Outpost, where you will see the medieval Clock Tower . It was built as a bell tower at the old cathedral. Since then, the lower part of the tower has been preserved; the upper levels have been rebuilt and restored after several fires. The clock on the tower was installed in the 17th century. While the new Transfiguration Cathedral did not have its own bell tower, the Clock Tower performed this role.

From Krepostnaya Street you need to turn onto Podgornaya to explore the ruins of the old cathedral . It was built in the 15th century, belonged to the Catholic Church, and then to the Lutheran Church. After the troops of Peter I arrived here, the cathedral became Orthodox. When Finland gained independence at the beginning of the last century, the cathedral again became Lutheran. However, as a result of the war, the building was destroyed, only the walls remained. The forged lattice surrounding the cathedral was moved to the Church of St. Hyacinth .

Details: Clock Tower

Houses of the 18th–20th centuries

Across the road from the cathedral ruins, at the intersection of Podgornaya and Watchtower streets, see a 19th-century wooden manor house . Further on the street. Watchtower, 3 - one-story estate of the 18th century . Behind it is a beautiful and bright building of the pedagogical college . The construction of the neo-Gothic style appeared at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. It is adjacent to the former city pawnshop - the white building was built in the last century in the functionalist style. It’s worth going down below to look at the “flat house” (Vyborgskaya St., 1a). The building, of course, is not flat, but it appears so from the corner side due to the architectural technique. Because of this optical illusion, it is also called the “witch house.” This neo-Gothic building with triangular facades, erected at the end of the 19th century, is now residential.

Merchant Guild House

From st. South Val return to Vyborgskaya Street, to building No. 8 - the house of the merchant guild of the Holy Spirit . This small house made of boulders from the 14th century is called the oldest civil building in Vyborg. The Guild of the Holy Spirit began to own it in the 16th century; before that it was a residential estate. From here you can walk to the Guild House (Vyborgskaya St., 14), built in the 16th century.

Details: house of the merchant guild of the Holy Spirit

The oldest residential building in Russia

While exploring Vyborg on your own in 2 days, go up to the oldest residential building in Russia. You need to go out onto the street. Krasin and, without going through the central Krepostnaya Street, turn left. In front of you will be a townsman's house , presumably built in the 16th century. Much of it has been modernized for the convenience of people living in two apartments of the old house. For example, in the last century, ceilings were increased during renovations. The townsman's house, together with the house of the merchant guild of the Holy Spirit, the Guild house and the burgher's estate are four unique medieval buildings in Vyborg.

theatre square

Follow Krepostnaya Street to the Vyborg Tram Monument , which houses a coffee shop. Theater Square begins . The central place on the square is occupied by the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul - a Lutheran church from the late 18th century. In 1900, several bank buildings were built next to the temple - the Nordic Bank with a balcony and the Union Bank of Finland . The square is adjacent to Lenin Park , and there is a fountain in front of the cathedral.

The lost building of the Vyborg Theater was located next to the New Town Hall , in which the Vyborg Palace cinema was later opened (opened during the Window to Europe festival). Not far from the Town Hall, along Krepostnaya Street, you can see the Actors' Walk of Fame .

Cathedral Square

While visiting the New Town Hall, tourists end up at Cathedral Square . Together with the Teatralnaya and Rynochnaya squares located diagonally from it, they form a “cascade of squares.” On Cathedral Square, the attention of tourists is attracted by the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior in the classicist style. It began to be built in the 18th century, then it was completed and the original appearance was modified. On the square you can also see the former governor's palace from the 18th century and the former home of the president of the Vyborg Court . Behind the cathedral is the former Russian Real School and a primary school . Not far from Cathedral Square is the medieval tower of the Town Hall of the 15th century.

More details: Cathedral Square

In the evening it will be pleasant to sit in one of the cozy establishments of the Old Town . You can watch the sunset on the Big Bucket embankment or cross the Fortress Bridge to Petrovsky Park with a view of the Vyborg Castle from above.

Detailed advice on what to see in Vyborg in 1 day

How to get to Vyborg?

Vyborg is a city in the Leningrad region, located near the border with Finland. The most convenient way to get to Vyborg is from St. Petersburg: by car, bus, train or train. Travel time: from 1 hour to 2.5 hours.

Transport runs regularly in both directions, making it easy to make a one-day trip without additional expenses for overnight accommodation.

Vyborg railway station. Address: st. Zheleznodorozhnaya, 8

Where to eat in Vyborg

In the “Tavern” the waiters are dressed in medieval clothes / photo by the author
The gastrotour around Vyborg does not end with pretzels and gleg.

There are 3 main directions: continue to explore European cuisine in stylized restaurants in the Old Town, visit bars with local beer or have a snack in a canteen where Vyborg residents go.

"Tavern" . The first courses here are served on a bread plate, and the waiters are dressed in medieval outfits. There are always a lot of guests in the halls (you may have to wait in line at the entrance). The average bill varies from 900 to 1500 rubles. Address: Krepostnaya street, 3.

"Slavic meal" . In this place the prices are a little cheaper, but you can also have a delicious lunch. Large portions of the first and second are served. The average bill is 800 rubles. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of a historic building; vaults and low passages add to the ambiance. Address: South Val, building 4/2.

"Old carriage maker" . The cafe is hidden around one of the turns on Krepostnaya Street. I liked the beer here, but they don't have hot food. The average bill is 500 rubles. Address: Krepostnaya, 8A.

"Bon appetit". Locals who work in the Old Town go to this canteen for lunch. There is no medieval cuisine here, but the place has been tested by the residents themselves and the prices are reasonable. The average bill for a three-course lunch is 400 rubles. Address: Teatralnaya street, 1.

Coffee in Vyborg is more expensive compared to St. Petersburg, where there is a well-developed network of cheap coffee shops. The average price for a large cappuccino is 200 rubles. The closer to Krepostnaya Street, the more expensive it is.