Музей
Address
Leningrad Oblast, Shlisselburg
Category
Historical MuseumsWeekdays
10:00 – 17:00
Weekend
10:00 – 18:00
Timetable
The museum is open from May 1 through October 31.
Entrance fee
Guided tours: ₽300 per adult; children under 7: free. Ferry to the island and back: ₽350; children under 7: ₽150
Photo gallery
Located on Orekhovy Island at the head of the Neva, the Oreshek Fortress was founded in 1323 by Grand Prince Yury of Moscow, Alexander Nevsky’s grandson, to defend Novgorod in conflicts with the Swedes.
It had repeatedly changed hands between Russia and Sweden until it was ultimately regained by Peter I during the Great Northern War.
Converted in the 18th century into jail, the fortress was one of Russia’s largest political prisons whose detainees included Decemberists and other rebels, and even members of the royal family. On February 28 and March 1, 1917, its inmates were all released.
Since 1928, the fortress has functioned as a museum, being presently a branch within the Museum of the History of St. Petersburg, with guided tours available in summer.