Feel free to close this page if you are interested not in a medieval castle, but in opening locks. Vyborg is an amazing city and a much more interesting topic. There are many attractions here, including an ancient fortress. That's what we'll talk about today.
This cozy city is located in the Leningrad region, keeping legends and secrets. Vyborg Castle can be called the heart of the city. It has existed since its inception. After reading this article, you will definitely want to visit Vyborg.
The Castle Museum, like the city itself, is imbued with the spirit of the Middle Ages. We will talk about its history, as well as the current state of the museum and the festivals that are held here. Organizational issues are also important for those who decide to visit Vyborg (castle). The opening hours of the museum, its address and options for how to get to it will also be considered. And the photos presented in this article will help you feel the spirit of the Middle Ages.
How to get to the city
The first question that arises for those planning a trip is the following: "Where is the Vyborg Castle (Vyborg), how to get to it?" There are several options, each of which we will describe separately.
The first option to get to the city and visit Vyborg Castle is to take a tour. In this case, you will not need to think about how to plan a route. A one-day bus tour from St. Petersburg costs about 1300-1500 rubles (for pensioners, schoolchildren and students - 1150-1350). Buses often depart from Dumskaya Street (Nevsky Prospekt metro station). Excursions usually include a visit to Mon Repos Park and the castle, as well as a walk through the old town.
The second option is to go here by private car. From St. Petersburg, the road will take approximately 1.5 hours, but there is a chance of getting into traffic jams.
Another option is the bus. From the metro station "Parnassus" they leave about once every half an hour (route No. 850), and from "Devyatkino" - once every 1.5 hours. Travel time is several hours. A ticket will cost you a little more than 200 rubles.
You can use the rail transport. The departure interval of suburban trains is about two hours, and the ticket price is about 300 rubles. There are also fast trains, the journey on which is reduced to an hour ("Swallow" and "Allegro"). All of them depart from the Finland Station.
In addition, you can sail on a boat or yacht directly to the castle. Of course,not everyone has their own ship, but it can be rented. There are various offers for cost, route and number of people both in Vyborg and St. Petersburg.
Road to the castle
Now let's talk about how to get to the castle in Vyborg from the railway station (by the way, the bus station is located near it, so this route is also suitable for those who came by bus). First you need to go to Leningradsky Prospekt (from the railway station to the right). Go straight and you will find yourself on the embankment with a beautiful view. In summer, a fountain spouts right out of the water. After walking a little more, you will see a large square on the left. Various souvenirs are often sold here (in fact, its name speaks for itself - the Market Square). Here is the famous round tower, which is one of the oldest buildings in Vyborg. However, we will not stay here long. The first thing to do is visit the castle.
Soon you will notice its high tower, which will guide you. Note that we need not the first, but the second bridge (Fortress), so the first one needs to be passed. Most of the newlyweds pass through the Fortress Bridge, so you will see a lot of locks here.
From here we finally get to the Castle Island, where a completely different world opens up to us. If you do not get distracted by taking pictures and admiring the city, a 1.5 km long path will take about 20 minutes.
History of the castle
It must be said right away that Vyborg Castle is the only monument of European architecture of the Middle Ages in our country that has survived to this day. History of itconstruction begins in 1293. It is believed that it was then that Vyborg itself was founded.
Castle in Vyborg: history
The city was founded during the Third Crusade, which the Swedes organized to get the Karelian land that belonged to Novgorod at that time. During the campaign, Marshal Thorgils Knutsson, the then ruler of Sweden, captured Western Karelia. On the occupied territory, he ordered the construction of a powerful fortress, which Vyborg is proud of to this day. The medieval castle arose on the site where the Karelian-Novgorod fortified point used to be. The marshal defeated it, after which the Swedes began building a fortress.
Since then, Thorgils Knutsson is considered the founder of the city of Vyborg, as well as the Vyborg Castle. Not without reason, not far from the latter, on the square of the Old Town Hall, a monument was erected to him. However, it must be said that some historians question the fact of the personal participation of this marshal in the campaign, although it was he who organized the expedition to Karelia.
The Swedes have chosen a place for the fortress very well: an island hill, a granite rock. The island position also ensured the presence of a water barrier, so that it was possible not to dig a moat. For the next 400 years, Vyborg Castle became the stronghold of the Swedes on the Karelian Isthmus. It was inferior in strategic and military importance only to Stockholm and was on a par with Kalmar Castle.
Etymology of the name "Vyborg"
It is not known exactly about the etymology of the name of the city and the fortress. "Vyborg",according to the main versions, it is a "fortress by the bay" or "holy fortress". It is the latter version that is the most common, since the letter of King Birger speaks of the construction of a temple in honor of the Most High and the Blessed Virgin.
First stage of construction
At the first stage of construction, the Vyborg castle consisted of a fortress wall that covered the entire perimeter of the island's high ground. In the center of the wall was a massive crenellated quadrangular tower of St. Olaf (pictured above). It was named so in honor of Olaf II - one of the most revered saints in Scandinavia, the Norwegian king, baptist and fighter against paganism. This tower was in no way connected with the walls of the fortress. She was a donjon, standing separately in the center. By the way, this donjon at that time was the highest in all of Scandinavia. In the basement of the tower of St. Olaf, prisoners were kept and supplies were stored, and on the second tier were the chambers of the governor with his retinue. It was here that the Swedish king stayed during his visits to the city.
Archaeological excavations have shown that the thickness of the walls of the tower of St. Olaf was 4 meters, and the Vyborg fortress - 1.5-2 meters. A wooden hinged gallery ran along the perimeter of the fortress wall (the so-called combat passage, or sentinel path). On the hill of the island, protected by these walls, the first buildings of Vyborg were formed. The city's population soon grew, and Castle Island was no longer enough. Vyborg stepped over to the mainland, to a cape located on the eastern shore of the strait.
Attemptsreturn the city
Novgorodians tried to capture the castle and return the lost lands in 1294 and 1322, but these attempts were unsuccessful, despite the fact that in 1322 the assault was carried out by a progressive method (stone-throwing machines were used). The border between Sweden and Novgorod land, according to the Peace of Orekhov, concluded in 1323, passed along the Sestra River. The Swedish kingdom received the western part of the Karelian Isthmus.
Castle under Karl Knutsson and his successors
On the territory of the castle in the 15th century (when Karl Knutsson was governor) residential buildings appeared several floors high. They ended with a combat vaulted passage on the sides facing the city and the bridge. Around the same time, the Shoemaker's tower was erected. During the reign of Karl Knutsson, the castle acquired a special splendor and gloss. New chambers were built, state rooms for balls and festivities were updated, knights' halls, the 3rd floor of the main building, which was previously intended only for defense, was rebuilt.
The construction didn't end there. After Karl Knutsson left the castle, work continued to be carried out by his successors - Eric Tott and Sten Sture. At that time, the castle remained the residence of the governor, as well as the center of the administrative and political life of Vyborg. In the southeast corner, the Paradise Tower was built - the first round tower in the castle (pictured above). Tiled stoves appeared in its premises. The walls of St. Olaf's tower were paneled from the inside, and the upper courtyard of the castle was paved with stone.
Contribution by Eric Tott
Eric Tott became the head of the fortress in the middle of the 15th century, and then the 4th floor of the main building was turned into a residential building. There was also a fifth floor designed for defense. Tott during the reconstruction of the castle used the traditions of defensive architecture adopted in Northern Europe. Until the frequent fires that destroyed the splendor of the castle, its layout and appearance were in the style of the early Renaissance. Tott surrounded Vyborg with a stone wall with towers (on the peninsula in front of the fortress). Thus, the Vyborg Castle gradually occupied the rear position of the fortress. The Town Hall Tower, as well as the later Round Tower, are the only parts of it that have survived to this day.
Vyborg Thunder
Vyborg in September 1495 was shocked by an event that went down in history as the "Vyborg thunder". The Russo-Swedish war began just that year, and Ivan III decided to send his troops to storm the Vyborg Castle. For the first time, large-caliber guns were used to destroy walls. Two towers collapsed, unable to withstand the attack, and a breach was made in another. The Swedes, under the leadership of the commander Knut Posse, withstood the siege, despite the use of the latest technology by the Russians and their numerical superiority. According to one version, the commander ordered his men to set fire to a powder mixture (perhaps barrels of tar), and then blow up one of the fortress towers. Smoke and a deafening roar confused the besiegers, and they retreated.
The siege of the city was lifted, military operations were soon suspended. And about the "Vyborg explosion"legends began to circulate. Whip Posse was even credited with magical abilities. For example, it was alleged that during the siege he brewed a "hellish potion" in a huge cauldron. There was also a version that when the Swedish troops were about to lay down their arms, the St. Andrew's Cross suddenly appeared in the sky. The Russians were frightened at the sight of him and fled. Another fantastic version says that there was a cave "Smellen" in the city, which made a terrible roar when the enemy approached.
Construction continues
The main tower in 1564 became a seven-story (previously there was only the lower square part). The upper part has now received an octagonal shape with cannon loopholes cut into the walls. Thanks to the loopholes, it was possible to conduct a circular fire. It should be noted that brick was first used in the masonry of the donjon at that time.
According to the Peace of Stolbov, concluded in 1617, the border of the possessions of the Swedes has significantly advanced deep into the Novgorod lands. The border and military importance of the city of Vyborg decreased, so the castle began to be used as a prison. The territory of the city until the 18th century belonged to the Swedes. At this time, the castle was strengthened and completed.
Vyborg after the capture of the city by Peter I
Peter I, after a long siege and bombardment, took Vyborg on June 3, 1710. But the Swedes were in no hurry to leave the city. The Swedish language dominated Vyborg until the 19th century.
The city and the Vyborg castle were destroyed after being captured by Russian troops. Their condition was deplorable. Only after the Peace of Nystadt signed in 1721,finally securing the borders, peaceful life began to improve in Vyborg. Intensive restoration work began to be carried out in the castle. But in the second half of the 18th century, it found itself between the Annensky fortifications and the Horned Fortress, reliable defensive structures, therefore it lost its former military significance. The castle began to be used to house the Russian garrison.
The further history of the city was also difficult. It went to the Finns in 1918, but during the Russian-Finnish war (1939-1940) it was taken by Soviet troops. But a few years later, at the beginning of World War II, Vyborg again passed to Finland.
Then, from 1944, it belonged first to the USSR and then to Russia. Currently, the State Museum "Vyborg Castle" is located on the island with the fortress. It was founded on July 13, 1960. At the end of the 20th century, museum workers had to face difficulties. The fact is that the tower, located on the edge of the cliff, began to subside. One reason for this is seismic effects, and the other is heavy vehicles. The issue has now been resolved.
Now let's talk about what interesting things can be seen in the castle.
St. Olaf's Tower
Tourists get a lot of emotions from climbing this tower. In order to climb up, it is necessary to overcome 239 steps of a fairly steep staircase. This requires some physical preparation, but the reward will not keep you waiting, so go ahead! Rising, you can admire the views from the windows. At the top, you will enjoy stunning views of the bay and the city.
You can go around the tower from all sides. You will see the city with its interesting architecture, unusual for Russia. Multi-colored roofs of various shapes create the flavor of Vyborg. You can see the Transfiguration Cathedral, the clock tower and other sights from here.
Vyborg Castle Museum
By visiting the expositions of this museum, you will delve into the peaceful and military history of the region, into the life of the inhabitants, and also learn details about the construction of the castle. Here you will also find a collection of customs confiscated goods, as the city has been a border crossing point for a long time. The nature of the Karelian Isthmus, where Vyborg is located, is dedicated to a separate exposition. The most valuable collections of the museum are paintings and sculptures by V. V. Kozlov and L. A. Dietrich, ceramics and a numismatic collection.
Temporary exhibitions and festivals
There are not only permanent exhibitions here - temporary exhibitions are also held. For example, once a torture room was set up in the museum. Of course, the surroundings are creepy, but this exhibition was a huge success with tourists.
Excursions and interactive programs are often held on the castle grounds. For example, the annual military-historical festivals, including jousting tournaments, are very popular. On this day, the spirit of the Middle Ages is especially felt in the castle, as well as throughout the city. In addition to knightly battles, at festivals you can listen to medieval music, see scenes from the life of people of that time, as well astake part in master classes and learn some craft. There is also the opportunity to shoot a bow and attend a medieval feast.
Many tourists come to festivals in Vyborg. "Knight's Castle", for example, is held annually. By the way, it took place quite recently, on July 30-31, and has already become the 21st in a row. Massive battles of foot soldiers clad in armor, foot and equestrian jousting tournaments awaited the visitors. Only for this you can visit Vyborg. Tournament "Knight's Castle" gathered a lot of guests. They were entertained by medieval minstrels, and after the battles, the knights and their ladies taught everyone to medieval dances.
At night, tourists who decided to visit the festival "Knight's Castle" (Vyborg) were waiting for the Fire Performance with the Dragon and the Court of the Inquisition with execution. During the breaks, children's battles, amusements and games, as well as competitions for participants and spectators took place. You could also visit the craft yards and the fair if you came to the "Knight's Castle" festival. Vyborg, as visitors note, at the end of July seemed to have moved into the past. The atmosphere was supported by the heroes of the Middle Ages (Russian knights and European knights), who placed their camps on the territory of the festival.
Vyborg comes alive during the festivals. "Knight's Castle" is one of the most interesting events in the city.
Museum opening hours, address
Are you interested in Vyborg and its old castle? You can visit it at any time of the year. HoweverVyborg Castle receives visitors only at certain hours. Its working hours are from 11:00 to 19:00 on all days of the week except Friday. On Friday it closes earlier at 18:00.
So, now you know when you can visit Vyborg Castle. Its mode of operation allows you to plan a trip for any day of the week. Many of you will probably want to know his address. Just in case, we will provide it, although, most likely, you can easily find a castle in Vyborg. Its address is simple: Castle Island, 1.
Worth visiting this place? Of course, not only the museum is interesting, but also the city of Vyborg itself. The castle, the reviews of which are the most positive, will especially appeal to lovers of the Middle Ages.
