Fort Peter I (Citadel)

This stronghold was conceived by the czar Peterv I to protect the Merchant Harbor of Kronstadt. Since the foundation of the fortress, the Kronstadt port has grown very much and the Kronshlot fort with the coastal batteries of Kotlin island no longer provided the required protection of ships in the harbors. Construction of the fort began in 1721, immediately after the end of the Northern War.
The picture shows a view of the stronghold from the west side from the ice of the Gulf of Finland. The picture was taken at the old time, when the fort was closed and guarded.