Oreshek Fortress, Medieval fortress on Orekhovy Island in Schlyüsselburg, Russia
Oreshek Fortress stands on the small island of Orekhovy where the Neva River begins its flow from Lake Ladoga. Seven towers surround a central courtyard, and the thick stone walls still carry marks from past sieges and battles.
The Novgorod Republic built an initial wooden fortification here in 1323 to secure northern trade routes. Swedish forces later captured the site before Peter the Great retook it, ensuring Russia permanent access to the Baltic Sea.
The name Shlisselburg comes from the German word for key, reflecting how this site once controlled access to the Baltic Sea. Visitors today walk through the dark casemates where political prisoners lived under harsh conditions during the tsarist era.
A ferry brings visitors from the shore near Petrokrepost across to the island, since the fortress sits on the water. The walk takes you over uneven paths and sometimes steep stairs, so sturdy shoes are helpful.
During the Siege of Leningrad, Soviet soldiers held this strategic point for over 500 days while German artillery fire continuously pounded the walls. The defenders survived on minimal supplies and relied on the protection of the thick fortress walls.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
From the Baltic to the Black Sea, fortresses and castles define the landscape of Eastern Europe. These structures reflect military architecture from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, displaying different defensive techniques and regional traditions. Some were built as border strongholds,...
Ladoga Canal
1.3 km
Annunciation Cathedral in Shlisselburg
1.2 km
Steel Way (monument)
1 km
Crossing memorial
1 km
Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul des manufactures de poudre de Schlüsselbourg
2.2 km
Monument to Peter the Great in Shlisselburg
988 m
Gatehouse of Saints Peter and Paul church
2.2 km
Naumov House, Schlüsselburg
978 m
Chapel of the Theotokos of Kazan in Shlisselburg
1.1 km
NKVD 1st Division headquarters building (Imeni Morozova)
2.2 km
Presman House
896 m
Shlisselburg Boulevard
1.2 km
Gostiny Dvor, Schlüsselburg
988 m
Leontiev House, Schlüsselburg
980 m
Neva railway crossing memorial, Imeni Morozova
903 m
Potashev house (Shlisselburg)
856 m
Дом управляющего (Шлиссельбург)
1.9 km
Новое (Малоневское) русло канала (Шлиссельбург)
1.6 km
Gorbaty Bridge in Schlüsselburg
2 km
Shtelevsky House
913 m
St. Nicholas Church in Shlisselburg
1.2 km
Шлюз (Шлиссельбург)
1.1 km
Chain Bridge in Shlisselburg
1.2 km
Aznachevsky House
974 m
Petrovsky Bridge in Shlisselburg
1.1 km
Станция Императорского общества спасания на водах (Шлиссельбург)
559 m
Pontooners headquarter building (Imeni Morozova)
2.1 km
Mass grave of Soviet soldiers (Imeni Morozova)
1.9 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes