Aurora, Protected cruiser in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Aurora is a warship from 1900 permanently moored along the Neva River that now serves as a museum ship. The decks display guns, navigation instruments, and communication rooms that give insight into Russian naval architecture from the tsarist era.
The ship participated in the Battle of Tsushima in 1905 during the Russo-Japanese War and returned to Saint Petersburg heavily damaged. In October 1917 it fired a signal shot that became a symbol for the start of the October Revolution.
The name comes from the Roman goddess of dawn, reflecting the tradition of naming Russian warships after mythological figures. Visitors today see crew quarters and command bridges that show how life on board was organized in the early 20th century.
Access is via a gangway onto the main deck, from where stairs lead to the lower and upper areas. Most exhibits are well lit, but some narrow passageways may be difficult for people with limited mobility.
The ship survived World War II despite heavy bombing, with much of the crew remaining on board to protect it. After the war it was extensively restored while keeping many original elements from the prewar period.
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