Vyborg, Russia
After a few days in St. Petersburg, we hopped in the Land Rover for a day trip. I don't remember the name of the "highway" we traveled on, but again I was very nervous driving this route with cars constantly passing in head on traffic, etc. I think the road takes you all the way to Finland but I could be mistaken. When we arrived in Vyborg after a few hours, I was immediately delighted with the medieval town. The complex history of this place makes it a really interesting destination, particularly for a tourist from a very young country like America.
1. The city sits on the shores of the Gulf of Finland and has changed hands throughout history. It's home to many fortifications but the focal point of the city is Vyborg Castle, built in 1293 by the Swedes. Imagine - 1293! Almost 500 years before America's birthday. :) The city was first controlled by the Swedes, then Finland. The Soviets gained control of Vyborg in 1944 during World War II. I'm pretty sure that's the basic history, although I understand there were many battles in between these points (including a big one during Peter the Great's reign). My intelligent readers can correct me if I'm wrong. I think I also read somewhere that Vladimir Lenin lived here while planning the Bolshevik Revolution.
The cover photo was taken from the top of Olaf Tower. A lot of steps to the top and they're in serious disrepair. Caution is necessary when climbing, but the views are very cool! Here at the castle I also experienced a real horror - no toilet paper in a restroom I had to pay to use. There wasn't even a place for toilet paper rolls in the stall, so I guess it simply doesn't exist here. Maybe they want guests to live "medieval style" when it comes to sanitation. Unacceptable for a major tourist destination.
2. View of surrounding walls from the top of Olaf Tower. And very frozen water! It's difficult for me to imagine these sites in other seasons, when you can actually see water rather than ice. As an American tourist, it's sometimes difficult to tell where land ends and water begins. Visually, the landscapes often merge together. Interesting fact - as of January 2013 images of the castle and grounds can be viewed through Google Street View (though they aren't very good).
3. Vyborg is an important industrial producer of paper, but the city's main advantage is its close proximity to richer Finland. The city is a main transportation hub with a sea port and shipyard. However, the provincial city itself is very poor and rundown. This will be clear based on other photos.
4. Pathway down from the castle. Not entirely clear and very slippery.
5. I'll call these "baby" icicles because they're very small. During the trip I was always warned by my host to not walk close to buildings for fear of death by icicle. Some of them are quite stunning but of course dangerous. In DC it never gets cold enough for magnificent icicles to form, though on occasion we will have small ones which melt within a day or two.
6. Many interesting sites in the city, including the Clock Tower which is surrounded by ruins from a cathedral. The Clock Tower was built in the late 1400's. I'm not sure if it's possible to climb to the top?
7. A fortification known as the "Round Tower", built in the mid-1500's. It has been used as a warehouse, prison, drugstore and currently houses a restaurant. The restaurant, like most other things, was closed during our visit. I guess I'm the rare person who chooses to tour Russia in winter.
8. Old church. I cannot find the name of it?
9. Very colorful Town Hall. I assume it houses local government offices.
10. Local resident and blue truck!
11. Vyborg was almost completely empty during our visit, like a ghost town out of a movie. Almost all restaurants closed and no people on the streets.
12. Abandoned, dirty street with buildings in disrepair.
13. By mid-afternoon we were completely starving but few dining options available. Then we stumbled upon this place. Perfect I thought! They have pizza. How can pizza be bad? Well, it was in this restaurant I learned another life lesson. Pizza CAN be bad, and it was! Covered in some strange curry sauce and fatty chicken.
14. I don't know this Russian word OXPAHA? I think this is some type of security guard policing the area.
15. There are signs of modern times in the midst of this medieval town, including some nice murals. I don't know who created them or when, but I'd guess they're less than 20 years old because the colors are still very vibrant. To me this is an iconic Russian scene - old car buried in dirty winter snow. Perhaps some object to such a modern piece of art in an old historical region, but I like it. The murals add a lot of life to a somewhat grey, decrepit scene.
16. This one is really impressive! A flat surface but the illusion of dimension in walking down a path.
17. Some of you will recognize this man from my first post on Russia, the one that brought many of you to my journal. He has lived in Vyborg his whole life. His mother was Finnish, his father Russian. In Vyborg, traces of Finland everywhere. Many store names and signs appear in both Russian and Finnish. The old man approached us on the street, probably just looking for someone with whom to share an afternoon chat. He kissed my hand, gave me a book and posed for a photo. Very kind eyes and gentle spirit. I'll remember him always.
18. Here's the book he gave me. I don't think it's well known because I can't find any information about the author online. His name is Valery Musakhanov.
Tell me please other interesting facts about Vyborg and let me know if there are any factual errors in the report. There's not a lot of English language resources available for this city.
I hope you all enjoy the May holidays! In America, it's work as usual. However, I will travel to Dallas, Texas next week. If anyone knows interesting sites in this city, please let me know.
P.S.: For those on Instagram, you can follow me under the same username peacetraveler22 if you're interested in seeing photos from everyday American life and my travels.