Kronstadt (from the German “Krone” — a crown and Stadt — a town) is a port town in the Leningrad Region. It is located on the Kotlin Island and adjoining smaller islands of the Gulf of Finland and a dam. Kronstadt is situated at the distance of 30 km to the west of St. Petersburg.

The population of Kronstadt makes 43 005 people (as of 2010).

The town of Kronstadt is one of the most well-known small and average historical towns of Russia and boasts outstanding historical and cultural heritage. Throughout the last three centuries the town played a significant role in the history of Russia.

Unique is the value of Kronstadt as a sea outpost constructed for protection of the new capital – St. Petersburg – almost right after its foundation. The town history is inseparably linked with Peter I, formation and strengthening of the Russian navy, great inventions and discoveries by Russian scientists, and heroic events of the Great Patriotic War. The historical part of Kronstadt and the Kronstadt fortress are included into the UNESCO World Heritage List as a part of the Historical Center of St. Petersburg and the related range of monuments.

Till 1983 it was possible to get to the island only by waterway. Now Kotlin Island is connected with St. Petersburg by a ring highway.