Vyborg is situated on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, in the North-West of the Karelian Isthmus, which is one of the most picturesque corners of the Leningrad Region.

The city stands nearby the border of Russia, on the busy highway Helsinki – Petersburg – Moscow. There are regular bus and local train connections with Petersburg, which is 140 km away from Vyborg (about 2.5 hours distance).

The location of the city was determined by the geographical and military situation on the shore of the Karelian Isthmus: it emerged by the falling into the gulf and later dried up Western horn of the Vuoksi River. During seven centuries of its existence the city was underwent several shattering fires and participated in wars.

The population of Vyborg counts around 82 thousand people. It occupies the area of 6,236 Ha, with 2,125 of them taken by water spaces.

The old city of Vyborg attracts numerous tourists with its picturesque landscapes, remarkable architecture monuments, among them preserved ancient fortification defensive installations, closely related to its many-centuries-old history.

The medieval part of Vyborg lies on a rather small peninsula stretching from the South-West to the North-West between the Southern and the Northern harbours. The two bays are connected with a little Castle Island, boasting the city’s major attraction, Vyborg Castle.

History outline

Vyborg sprang up as a small Russian and Karelian settlement founded in the 11th -12th centuries. In 1293 it was seized by the Swedish ruler Torkel Knutsson who raised a massive castle on the Castle Island. It was called Vyborg, meaning “a holy town” (from the Swedish vi translated as holy, sacred and borg as fortress, town). The Castle was gradually surrounded with a town (from 1493), encircled by a fortified wall with towers, an earth mound, and a moat.

During the Northern War of 1700-1721 it was recaptured by the forces of Peter the Great and admiral general F.M. Apraksin and assigned to Russia according to the Treaty of Nystadt of 1721. Old fortifications were restored and later, in the 1730-40s new ones, the so-called Anninskie, were raised.

In 1811 Vyborg together with the province was annexed to Great Principality of Finland. From 1918 to 1940 it was part of Finland and called Viipuri, which is a Finnish distortion of the Swedish Vyborg.

In 1940 the city under its initial name of Vyborg became part of the USSR.

During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45 it was occupied by Finnish and German troops until its release by forced of Leningrad frontline in the course pf Vyborg-Petrozavodsk campaign in June 1944.

Points of Interest

Vyborg Castle dating back to the 13th century is the only monument of West-European medieval military architecture preserved in Russia.

St. Peter and Paul Cathedral built in 1793—1799.

Horologium built in 1494 as belfry of Vyborg Cathedral.

Our Lord’s Transfiguration Cathedral built in 1787.

A wonderful nature reserve Monrepo (from the French Mon Repos meaning my peace, my repose) is a national historical and architectural nature museum, a unique rock landscape park on the shore of the Bay of Vyborg.