Vyborg Rathaus, Leningrad Oblast, Vyborg, Russia
Vyborg is a town in Leningrad Oblast, Russia, situated on the Karelian Isthmus near the head of the Bay of Vyborg, 130 km to the northwest of St. Petersburg, 38 km south from Russia’s border with Finland, where the Saimaa Canal enters the Gulf of Finland.
The area where Vyborg is located used to be a trading center on the River Vuoksi’s western branch, which has dried up.
The area was inhabited by the Karelians, a Finnic tribe which gradually came under the domination of Novgorod and Sweden.
The first castle of Vyborg was founded during the so-called “Third Swedish Crusade” in 1293 by marshal Torkel Knutsson.
The castle was fought over for decades between Sweden and the Republic of Novgorod.
Vyborg’s most prominent landmark is the Swedish built castle, started in the 13th century and extensively reconstructed in 1891-1894.
The Round Tower and the Rathaus Tower date from the mid-16th century.
The Viipuri Library by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto is a reference point in the history of modern architecture.
Epic Russia Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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