Dumping rocks into a hole in the ice sounds crazy. Yet, that is exactly how Kronshlot began. This starfort played a crucial role in Russia’s defense. Today, we stand before Kronshlot a testament to Russian resilience and strategic brilliance.
Kronshlot is located near Kotlin Island. Peter the Great ordered its construction. He wanted to protect St. Petersburg from the Swedes. Just six months after founding St. Petersburg, work began on this vital fortress. Peter himself designed the fort in Voronezh. He sent the plans in late 1703.
Domenico Trezzini, a Swiss-Italian architect, was a favorite of Peter the Great. Trezzini helped with several important St. Petersburg projects. He was tasked with creating an artificial island in Neva Bay. This island would support a fort to control deepwater channels. These channels were essential for ships reaching St. Petersburg.
The Gulf of Finland freezes in winter. Workers created the island by dumping rocks through a hole in the ice. Two thousand Russian soldiers and cavalrymen participated. They dragged timber boxes filled with stones across the ice. These boxes were tipped into the water. The splash created the foundation for Kronshlot.
The first Kronshlot was a 36-meter-tall wooden tower. It had three stories. Forty-six small guns protruded from it. Despite its seemingly insubstantial structure, it played a significant role. In June 1704, it defied a Swedish fleet. The Swedes, embarrassed by their lack of success, sailed away.
A larger Swedish fleet returned in June 1705. Kronshlot’s firepower had increased. Land batteries with naval guns were added. After a week of ineffective shooting, the Swedish Navy gave up again.
The guns were initially mounted in a way that made it hard to hit targets. However, Kronshlot and the Russian ships successfully deterred the Swedes. The fort underwent a facelift from 1717 to 1724. During this time, guns were placed in a more conventional manner. The mini-harbor was added. The wooden tower was dismantled in 1749.
By the end of the 18th century, Kronshlot transformed into a starfort. It had granite walls and pointy bastions. It mounted 120 large-caliber cannons. However, flooding in 1824 severely damaged them.
By this time, Kronstadt was a major fortification. Eight more fortlets sprouted up on man-made islands. Kronshlot was the first. From 1850 to 1863, Kronshlot was upgraded with a two-level casemated battery. It mounted 11-inch guns.
During the Crimean War, the British Navy threatened St. Petersburg. Russia pioneered modern minefields to defend against this threat. An Anglo-French fleet appeared off Kronstadt in June 1854. They left without firing a shot. In the spring of 1855, they returned. They sustained damage from mines and retreated again.
By the end of the 19th century, modern Krupp guns were mounted on Kronstadt. This made surrounding fortlets obsolete. In 1896, Kronshlot was removed from frontline service. It became an ammunition storage facility. Anti-aircraft guns were installed during World War II. Some troops defending Kronstadt were stationed there.
Today, Kronshlot is the best-maintained of Kronstadt’s fortlings. It houses a government demagnetization station. This historic site is a unique monument of Russian history and architecture.