Sestroretsk

Sestroretsk sits on the Gulf of Finland shore in the Kurortny District of Saint Petersburg, spreading for several kilometers along the coastline between pine forests and sandy beaches. The Sestra River divides the town into two parts and flows through residential neighborhoods before reaching the sea.

Peter the Great founded the town in 1714 by establishing an arms factory near the mouth of the river, which produced muskets and swords for the Russian army. The Sestroretsk Tool Factory later emerged on the same site and continued industrial production into the 20th century.

The town takes its name from the Sestra River, whose Finnish name means sister, and locals still refer to neighborhoods by their pre-revolutionary names in daily conversation. Walking paths through the pine forests connect residential areas, where people gather for weekend picnics near the riverbanks.

The town is easy to explore on foot, with residential areas, parks, and beaches connected by a network of paths that run through the coastal forests. During winter, most facilities remain open, though some beach activities are available only in the warmer months.

The Vodoslivnyy Canal from the 18th century still connects Lake Sestroretskiy to the Gulf of Finland and regulates water levels through a system of wooden locks. Locals often fish along its banks and use the old towpaths for walking.