Vyborg is a small town situated in few dozens of kilometers from Russia-Finland border. And the only preserved in Russia monument of west-European military architecture can be found here is the famous Vyborg Castle, appearance of which was been forming during the long 7 centuries.
Vyborg is unique town – during its existence it belonged to different states and was influenced by Swedish, German, Finnish and Russian cultures.

   It is known, that in XI-XII centuries on the present town territory there was an ancient Karelian settlement that belonged to Novgorod Principality. Its location was very favourable: the rocky island at the confluence of Vuoksa River and Finnish Gulf. It was a convenient point on the trade route from Baltic Sea to Ladoga Lake.

   In 1293 during the 3rd Swedish Crusade Karelian settlement was ruined and on its place a new fortress, called Vyborg (which means Holy City), was founded. That Crusade was blessed by Rome. Its aim was to conquer territories of South Karelia and to turn Orthodox Karelians into Catholicism, thus to enlarge Rome’s influence to the East.
   Two years later Novgorod forces tried to return these territories and besieged the new fortress but failed and retreated. First Vyborg fortifications consisted of huge stone tower (donjon) and surrounding it fortress wall. The tower, named after St. Olaf, for the long time was main dwelling and defensive construction of the castle. King’s apartments were situated there as well as dungeon.

   Soon, under the protection of Vyborg castle, a new commercial and industrial settlement appeared. But Novgorod had not given up attempts to return lost territories, even in spite of the Noteburg Peace Treaty. Swedish settlement was ruined twice – in 1351 and 1411.

   The Vyborg parish was first mentioned in 1352. From the end of the XIVth century Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries were founded on this territory. German merchants began to transmigrate to Vyborg settlement. They got large benefits in trade and management. Since 1403 Vyborg was conferred with the status of the city.

   In the middle of the XV century Vyborg governor Karl Knutsson Bonde (future Swedish king) continued to strengthen the castle island and the castle itself. In 1457 Vyborg governor became Erik Axelsson Tott, who is one of the most famous Vyborg constructors. In 1470s he surrounded the city of Vyborg with high wall with 10 towers.

   In the end of the XV th century the Moscow tzar Ioann the 3rd began to unite Russian principalities in one state. After joining the Novgorod Princedom to Moscow, Russian tzar turned his eyes to the lost territories in South Karelia and Ingermanlandia. In 1495 Russian troops besieged Vyborg. The victory was not so far, when there occurred an explosion in of the towers. This accident saved Vyborg. Russians called off the siege and left Swedish territory.

   In the middle of the XVI th century, Swedish king Gustavus Vasa became anxious about the state of Vyborg, which still was frontier fortress. Citizens were exempted from taxes so they could be engaged in work for strengthening the city wall. At the same time two more towers, where cannons could be placed, were built. One of them, the Round Tower, finished in 1550, is still can be found on the central square of Vyborg. New walls and bastions were built around the Castle. In 1561 – 1564 some works were held in St. Olaf’s Tower – it’s upper levels were reconstructed into octahedron and embrasures for cannons appeared there. This appearance is preserved till nowadays.

   After Stolbovsky peace treaty of 1617, Russian-Swedish border was moved far to the east. Since then Vyborg went through a period of peaceful development for about a century. The city grew fast and many rich merchants built there their residences. It was then Vyborg got its rectangular city planning.

   In 1700 a new war was broken out. We used to call it the “Northern War”. Russian troops entered the South Karelia and in 1706 besieged Vyborg once again. And once again failed. And only in 1710 the army of Russian tzar Peter-the-Great with the help from the navy forces captured the city.

   As a result of this war all Karelian Isthmus, including Vyborg and Kegsholm became a part of Russian Empire. Reconstructions and fortifying works were held in Vyborg during next hundred years. Also new earthworks and bastions were built to protect the city from the north and west. These fortifications were called Annenskie, in honor of Russian empress Anna Ioannovna. And in the castle Russian garrison was billeted.
  After the last Russian-Swedish war entire Finland was added to Russian Empire and was named The Great Princedom of Finland. Vyborg lost its meaning of a border fortress.

   In the middle of the XIX th century Vyborg suffered from two conflagrations. The castle was badly damaged. Some of reserved buildings were used depots and prison. The next period of reconstruction began in 1888. The military tried to adjust the old castle to their needs.
   In 1911 the Military and historical museum, named after Peter-the-Great, was opened in Vyborg castle.

   After October Revolution The Great Princedom of Finland got sovereignty. Vyborg became an administrative center of large district of Eastern Finland. Big garrison was also located there. The railway St. Peterburg – Helsinki ran through this old city, and the port was one of the largest in Finland. All these brought economic development of Vyborg to high results.

   Everything came to the end in late in 1939 with the beginning of the Winter war. Nearly all inhabitants were evacuated far inland. The result of Soviet bombing was awful – the city of Vyborg was nearly destroyed.
   For a short period 1941-1944 Karelian Isthmus was returned to Finland but then was lost once again. Since then Vyborg became russian. The rebuilding of destroyed areas began in late forties.

   In seventies the old Vyborg castle was turned into museum. During the last few years this castle became the stage for concerts, theatrical and historical fancy-dress performances (like in Savonlinna in Finland).