| The fortress "Oreshek" was built in the 14th century by Novgorod citizens. In the 17th century it was conquered by the Swedes after a long siege and was called by them Noteburg ("Nut-Fortress"). But it was returned to Russia by Peter the Great during the Great Northern War and renamed to Shlisselburg, meaning Key-Fortress - a key to future wins in the Great Northern War and on the way to the Baltic Sea.
Then the fortress became a political prison and a lot of famous terrorists and criminals were imprisoned here. Lenin's brother, terrorist Alexander Ulyanov, who attempted to assassinate Emperor Alexander III, was hanged here. During the Great Patriotic war Shlisselburg fortress was defending itself and heroically resisted for 500 days and did not let the ring of blockade around Leningrad close. The fortress garrison contributed to the city of Shlisselburg liberation, which in 1944 was renamed to Petrokrepost. Since 1966 Shlisselburg Fortress (Oreshek) has become a museum. |
