Vyborg is one of those rare places where you can step into the atmosphere of medieval Europe without ever leaving Russia.
Swedish accent
Vyborg was founded in 1293, when the Swedish knights of Marshal Torkel Knutsson built a formidable fortress here — an impregnable citadel by the standards of the time, designed to control the Karelian Isthmus. For over four centuries, Vyborg — which means “holy fortress” in Swedish — remained under Scandinavian influence, something any seasoned traveler will immediately sense while strolling through its Old Town.
Take, for example, the House of the Holy Spirit Merchant Guild, built in the 14th century — it is considered one of the oldest stone buildings in northwestern Russia. Today, it houses the Information and Tourist Center. Not far from there stands the oldest residential building in Russia. Dating back to the 16th century, it is a remarkable monument to the rare, everyday side of the medieval era. Its thick stone walls, tiny windows, and low ceilings recall the time when Vyborg was an important trading hub of the Hanseatic League. The Gothic Church of St. Hyacinth is another intriguing echo from the Middle Ages. This “sacred place” has served many roles over the centuries — home to merchants and priests, a noble assembly hall, a Catholic parish, a furniture factory, a children’s art school, and the headquarters of the Windows On Europe Film Festival. Eventually incorporated into the Vyborg United Museum-Reserve, the former church still serves as that very “window” — for instance, the Knight’s Hall exhibition lets visitors not only admire replicas of ancient armor but try them on, while the small Dungeon display highlights the eerie tools of medieval justice.
Fortress + pretzel
Vyborg Castle is the city’s calling card and the central anchor around which all other attractions are arranged. It is a true gem of medieval architecture and the only fortress in Russia with a complete circular defensive system. Its snow-white donjon tower, soaring nearly 50 m into the sky (or 75 if you count the rocky base), is visible from many points throughout Vyborg. The tower, named after Saint Olaf — the patron saint of Norway and one of Scandinavia’s most revered holy figures — holds within its walls countless secrets and legends best discovered on a guided tour. All the more reason to visit now, as the donjon has just reopened after restoration. Make the effort to climb up to the viewing platform at the 50-meter mark — from there, the entire city unfolds like a miniature in the palm of your hand! In the ancient halls where knights once feasted, you’ll now find exhibitions from the Vyborg Museum-Reserve featuring medieval weaponry, jewelry, and a wide array of everyday objects from different eras. The collection of archaeological finds is also worth exploring. During the warmer months, the castle island hosts concerts and medieval reenactments.
One can’t forget the city’s gastronomic symbol — the famous Vyborg pretzel. The recipe was brought by German bakers centuries ago and has been carefully passed down from generation to generation ever since. A true Vyborg pretzel boasts a golden, crispy crust and a soft, slightly sweet interior with delicate notes of cardamom, anise, and other spices.
The era of Peter the Great and Northern Art Nouveau
Vyborg became a Russian city only in 1710 (officially confirmed 11 years later) after Russia’s victory over Sweden in the Great Northern War, which secured the country access to the Baltic Sea. Peter the Great personally led the siege, and on the second attempt, his troops finally managed to storm the mighty fortress. In memory of this event, a monument to Russia’s first emperor stands in the small Petrovsky Park, offering a magnificent view of the castle. It was also under Peter that the Annen fortifications were built — a system of low-lying bastions designed to protect the city from Swedish attacks by land. Today, their ruins have become a popular venue for historical festivals and cultural events.
No less significant is Vyborg’s Northern Art Nouveau heritage: the Central Market building with its clock tower, ornate residential and tenement houses with bay windows and decorative details, and the Granite Palace — the former headquarters of Hackman and Co. For many travelers, the main attraction is the famous Alvar Aalto Library — a recognized masterpiece of functionalist architecture. The interior is designed with maximum ergonomic efficiency to ensure that the reading person feels as comfortable as possible, while natural light is evenly distributed throughout the entire space. The wave-shaped ceiling of the reading room, the custom lighting system, and the acoustical innovations of its time — all of this makes the library a true work of art.
Vacation plans
Vyborg is also renowned for the rocky landscape of the Monrepos Park. Created in the 18th–19th centuries in the spirit of Romanticism, it stands as a vivid example of how the wild northern landscape — with its ancient granite boulders and centuries-old pines — can be harmoniously blended with a human vision of beauty. By the way, the park’s name translates from French as “my repose.” The name Mon Repos was given by Baron Ludwig Heinrich Nicolay — a poet, philosopher, and mentor to Paul I — who purchased the land from the commandant of Vyborg Fortress, Pyotr Stupishin, and established a manor estate on the grounds of the existing landscape park of Charlottenthal.
The park’s modern appearance is credited to Italian architect Giuseppe Antonio Martinelli, who harmoniously integrated Gothic bridges, granite grottos, statues, and pavilions into the landscape. It’s no coincidence that the park inspired figures such as Emperor Alexander I and Romantic poets Vasily Zhukovsky, Anton Delvig, and Fyodor Tyutchev. Modern-day tourists are no exception — the Mon Repos Museum-Reserve offers a five-kilometer eco-trail through its most scenic spots and viewpoints, while the main manor house features an exhibition on the estate’s history and the Nicolay baronial family.
Photo: IstockPhoto.com, Vostock Photo
