Shlisselburg’s island fortress of Oreshek is one of the most famous sights in the Leningrad Region and for this reason alone it is worth visiting.  For centuries the Oreshek Fortress has served as a Russian forepost, although it also spent just under a century under Swedish control.  The fortress even saw action during the Second World War.  In addition to its defensive function the fortress also served as a prison and many famous figures of Russian history have a connection with the fortress including Peter the Great’s wife Yevdokia Lopukhina, Emperor Ivan VI, several Decembrists and Vladimir Lenin’s brother Aleksandr.  It makes an easy day trip from St Petersburg although best only visited in summer months as the fortress is closed from November to May.

Overview

Getting There and Back

There is no railway station in Shlisselburg and so the best way to get to the city is to by bus.  Bus No. 575 to Shlisselburg leave from St Petersburg’s Ulitsa Dybenko metro station around every 15 minutes and take around 40 minutes in good traffic.  Shlisselburg Bus Station is located on Krasnaya Ploschad (Red Square)  a few metres from the quay to where boats to the island-fortress leave.  Normally between 10:00 and 17:00 there will be private boat owners here who will take people on the short trip for around RUB 200 return.  Boats tend to leave around every 20-30 minutes.  However bear in mind that in bad weather all crossings may be cancelled and that the fortress is only open from 1 May to 1 November.

Another way of getting to the fortress is to get an elektrichka (suburban) train to the station Petrokrepost which is located on the other side of the water.  Trains for Nevskaya Dubrovka stop at Petrokrepost and leave from St Petersburg’s Finlyandky Railway Station around every hour.  They take around an hour to get to Petrokrepost.  From the station you need to walk 400 metres to the coast where there will be boats to the island, although from this side they run less frequently than from the Shlisselburg side.

Orientation

The Oreshek Fortress is located on an island in Lake Ladoga and so your visit to Shlisselburg will be divided into two parts: the island and the city.  Once on the island you need to buy a ticket to visit the fortress.  The ticket price includes a guided tour which are held several times a day, but you can just walk around by yourself if you prefer.  It is quite windy in places on the island so dress appropriately.  The fortress is only open from 1 May to 1 November.

The main reason for visiting Shlisselburg is to visit Oreshek Fortress and there is not much else to see in the city itself, although it is a pleasant city with its canals and parks.  Next to the bus station on Krasnaya Ploschad is a church ensemble comprising the Annunciation Cathedral, St Nicholas’ Church and the Our Lady of Kazan Chapel.  The city also has a statue of Peter the Great which has become quite a symbol of the city.

Restaurants

There is nowhere to buy food on the island at all.  In the city there are several cafes and shops which sell food, so it is not a problem to find something to eat.  One nice cafe is the Kin Grust Bakery which sells a wide range of pies and Caucasian food.