A Trip to Kronstadt on Kotlin Island in the Gulf of Finland

Some 30 km off the city of Saint Petersburg, on Kotlin island in the Gulf of Finland, there lies Kronstadt. There is the main port of Saint Petersburg and the traditional seat of the Russian Admiralty and the Russian Baltic Fleet’s base. The island was captured by Great Peter’s forces from the Swedes during the Great Northern War, in the year 1703. The island then served as the midpoint of the fortifications established across the Gulf of Finland to secure the newly inaugurated city of Saint Petersburg. It has ever since played a very significant role in the unfolding of the Russian Empire’s history. This was the place we set of to explore that freezing, sunny morning.

Alley in Kronstadt kotlin island saint petersburg — Alley in Kronstadt

Frozen canal in Kronstadt kotlin island — Frozen canal in Kronstadt

Old Soviet factory and playground in kronstadt kotlin island — Old Soviet factory and playground

After having quite an adventure with the city’s chaotic transportation system, we were setting foot in Kronstadt by noontime. There, at the bus stop, we met our local friend Nastya who was to be our guide for the day.

Our first stop was the town’s port, where a few old, metallic ships and cranes were standing, seeming as if abandoned for ages in the icy desolation of the winter landscape.

The port of Kronstadt kotlin island saint petersburg — The port of Kronstadt

We then went to a 19th-century shipyard, of which we managed to get a glimpse after jumping over a tall stone fence blockading access to it.

Slipway at the abandoned shipyard in kornstadt saint petersburg — Slipway at the abandoned shipyard

We walked back to the center where we paid a visit to the town’s Cathedral. Quite an impressive temple it was for such a small town. It is known as the ‘Naval Cathedral’, and inside of it, there is a record of all the ships of the Russian navy which ever sank, engraved with gilded letters on black marble plates.

naval cathedral kronstadt interior — The Cathedral’s interior

Next was the beach. Well… there was nothing reminding anything like a beach during this time. There was only a snow-covered piece of land, followed by an immense extension of ice. It was a thrilling experience walking on the frozen surface of the sea, leaving the island gradually behind, till the point it was only faintly visible at the verge of the horizon. We reached one of the old forts erected on top of the artificial islets constituting the former Russian capital’s defensive line. We walked into its ruins and climbed to its top, mentally traveling through history.

Walking on the frozen sea in kronstadt — Walking on the frozen sea

Old sea fortress off the coast of Kronstadt in the gulf of finland — Old sea fortress off the coast of Kronstadt

Getting ready to enter the ghost fortress on kotlin island — Getting ready to enter the ghost fortress

Inside an old fortress in kronstadt saint petersburg — Inside the fortress

Vast expanse of frozen sea off the fort in kronstadt gulf of finland — A vast expanse of frozen sea off the fort

Panoramic view from fort's top off the coast of kronstadt in the gulf of finland — Panoramic view from the fort’s top

By the beach, there was operating an ice rink. It was a long time since I last ice-skated. I shouldn’t leave the opportunity to fly by. We rented a pair of ice skates each, and got to enjoy for a while that nice feeling of briskly sliding over the smooth ice.

Back to the center of the town, we were hungry. One could imagine the day ending with some traditional Russian meal… but it was Sushi instead: very good Sushi though, for which my stomach was perfectly happy. The sun fell, darkness prevailed, and we boarded the bus back to Saint Petersburg, completely satisfied with yet another singular day to remember.