"Moscow-Vyborg" Top 5 Page for this destination Vyborg by Kuznetsov_Sergey

Vyborg Travel Guide: 77 reviews and 264 photos

Vyborg Castle - Olaf's Tower

In 1293, during the III-th crusade organized by the marshal of Sweden Torgils Knuttson, regent of juvenile king Birger, the Swedish armies, having destroyed the strengthened Karelian forpost, established a fortress Vyborg on the island in the Finland gulf.

Vy - means "sacred", Borg - means "a fortress". So the translation from ancient Swedish Vyborg means "a sacred fortress". The first construction became a tower of Sacred Olaph - quadrangular in plan tower of the Vyborg castle.
Time passed… A settlement expanded under walls of the castle. In 1403 a fortress Vyborg received the status of a city. Appearance of the castle changed also. In XV century it by the right was considered as the most beautiful castle of Sweden.

Vyborg - panorama view

The future king Charles Kristersson Bunde wrote: " … the Master of Vyborg spent much money for construction of a fortress, he created the most beautiful chambers, roofed them, forced to construct around a wall with merlots. It cannot be found more beautiful castle. " (Charles's chronicle, XV century).

Being on crossing of the important trading ways the city always was an apple of discord. The fighting annals of this territory was created with the Novgorod, Russian and Swedish armies, subsequently regular Soviet and Finnish armies. More than 400 years Vyborg was in structure of the Swedish kingdom while during the Northern war it was departed to Russian empire. But only after signing of the Friderihsham treaty (1809) the short peace period on these grounds was established.

Last visit to Vyborg: Aug 2006
Intro Updated Sep 12, 2006
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Reviews (14)

Vyborg - Boltry Tower of the Old Cathedral - Vyborg

Boltry Tower of the Old Cathedral Off The Beaten Path (2)

Unfortunately the Boltry Tower of the Old Cathedral (Watchtower) has rather modest appearance. Local authorities while... more travel advice

The Salakkalahti gulf Off The Beaten Path (2)

The Salakkalahti gulf is one of the most picturesque places in Vyborg. Ancient ships on which local residents reached... more travel advice

European type hotel Hotels (1)

It's good to stay in this hotel before crossing Russian-Finnish border if you travel by car. You'll have an opportunity... more travel advice

Old city Things to Do (5)

A part of the old city is deep coming in a gulf in the form of cape. It is surrounded by the most beautiful streets: a... more travel advice

Favorites (6)
See All Vyborg Castle - History V

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Comments (24)

Elena77 Dec 30, 2008 at 2:43 PM Report Abuse

Great tips, thanks for sharing! Vyborg is such a fascinating place! I'd love to go there one day!
annase Aug 10, 2008 at 12:58 PM Report Abuse

Hi Sergey. Thanks for great Vyborg photos. I'm looking forward to seeing the castle and the city as a whole in a few week's time. It will be my first trip to Russia. Looking forward to some more trips in the future. Sanna
kokoryko Jun 30, 2008 at 12:42 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for this historical tour in Vyborg Serguei; I like a lot the general historical “tips” and of course the Paradise Tower! I heard about that place, now I know!! (virtually at least!).
LoriPori Nov 26, 2007 at 3:27 PM Report Abuse

Interesting and informative info on the history of the Vyborg castle.
lotharlerch Aug 3, 2007 at 5:56 AM Report Abuse

Great description of Vyborg castle. Unfortunately the bus Helsinki - Leningrad stopped only for an hour or so in Vyborg. I see the oblast is still called "Leningradskaya" - quite a superficial and incomplete cosmetics...
JLBG Apr 29, 2007 at 12:24 PM Report Abuse

The Vyborg castle is amazing. In the 70s, I naively (not completely!) tried to build a trip from Helsinki to Murmansk and back to Stalingrad. I received a nice answer from Inturist that did not answer really and sent a map with a blank space on that area!
icunme Mar 3, 2007 at 6:06 PM Report Abuse

Hi Sergey - BRAVO on these Russia pages - I will always return and they always bring to mind the excellence of your Russian writers. BRAVO!
matcrazy1 Feb 18, 2007 at 6:07 PM Report Abuse

Excellent job: great photographs, very usuful info. I hope to see Vyborg someday :-)
sihi Jan 20, 2007 at 3:34 PM Report Abuse

Very interesting page! Castle looks impressive. Spasibo za komentarij na mojej Chelmza page:)
sennaya Dec 8, 2006 at 10:41 AM Report Abuse

I like your unique information, I'll read more of your pages before I visit!