The name of this Russian city, located on the island of Kotlin, is derived from two German words that translate as "crown" and "city". The history of Kronstadt is inextricably linked with St. Petersburg, and even in the list of historical and cultural values under the close attention of UNESCO, they are part of one complex. It unites the historical centers of the Northern capital of Russia and small (in comparison with its neighbor) Kronstadt.
The emergence of the city
Like St. Petersburg, Kronstadt owes its foundation to Peter I, who in 1703, after the Swedes left for their own ice-free ports, began to build a fortress on the island. The fort was built in record time, it became an unpleasant discovery for the Swedes, who already in the next navigation discovered that the bay, which had previously belonged to them, was occupied by the Russians. Accordingly, the approaches to the Neva Bay were closed to the Swedish fleet.
This is how the history of Kronstadt, or rather, Kronshlot, began - this was the name of the fortress. Its architect was Domenico Trezzini, and the date of its foundation is considered the day of consecration - May 7, 1704 (according to the new style - May 18). The resettlement began to a new fortress, not only servicemen arrived here, Peter I demanded the relocation of merchants, noble families and, of course, working people.
Formation and development of Kronstadt
In 1723, the laying of the fortress began, which already had the name Kronstadt, its main task - the defense of the city and the port facilities located next to it. A little later, the city became not just a fortress, but a naval base for the entire Baltic fleet.
In the middle of the 18th century, the city suffered a terrible fire. On the one hand, it caused irreparable damage to many buildings. On the other hand, after the fire, systematic development of the city began, many stone buildings have survived to this day, they are the pride of local residents and are protected by UNESCO. This is a brief history of Kronstadt (up to the twentieth century).
Age of changes and events
The 1905 revolution was supported by the local population, October of that year was marked by a major uprising of soldiers and sailors who even managed to take the city into their own hands. True, the lack of a strong leadership and clear plans led the rebels to engage in robbery and robbery. Official troops quickly suppressed the riot, many of the participants went to prison and hard labor.
The second major rebellion was raised after the October Revolution - in 1921, or rather, this is how Moscow described the failure of the Bolshevik Party in holding elections to local councils. The inhabitants of the city - sailors, soldiers and civilians - were numbered among the rebels, all were in for a cruel reprisal. During the Great Patriotic War, the city was under blockade along with Leningrad.
