Vyborg is an atmospheric town where eras and cultures blend together. At different times it was ruled by Sweden, Finland and Russia. It has a real medieval castle, and the streets of the old town breathe history. Vyborg is the place to go if you want an unforgettable weekend. This route was designed specially for the BelkaCar car-sharing service.
Lallukka House
🏟️ Architectural landmark
Bank of Finland Building
🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site
Market Square
⛲ Square
Round Tower
🏯 Fortress remains · 📜 Historic site
Burgher's Estate
🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site
Church of St. Hyacinth (Knights' House)
🏛️ Museum
Hackman House (Granite Palace)
🏟️ Architectural landmark
Old Town Hall Square
⛲ Square · 🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site
Vyborg Castle and St. Olaf's Tower
🏛️ Museum · 🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site · 🔭 Viewpoint
Clock Tower
🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site · 🔭 Viewpoint
Burgher's House: Russia's Oldest Residential Building
🕵️ Urban legend
Vyborg Tram
🎨 Art installations
Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul
🕍 Place of worship
Cathedral Square and Transfiguration Cathedral
🕍 Place of worship · ⛲ Square
Alvar Aalto Library
🏙 Modern architecture
Red Square
⛲ Square
Point 10
🏟️ Architectural landmark • 📜 Historic site • 🔭 Viewpoint
After seeing the castle, we recommend heading back into the old town, past Old Town Hall Square and along Krepostnaya Street. Over the centuries the street changed its name many times; today it is lined with cafés, restaurants, coffee shops and souvenir stores. In 2020 part of the street was made pedestrian. It's also a great spot to admire the next stop on our route — the Clock Tower, which can be called the architectural landmark of the old town.
The Clock Tower was built in the early 16th century as the bell tower of the Old Cathedral. Back in the 15th century the Pope had called for a church to be built in Vyborg, promising to absolve the sins of everyone who took an active part in building it. Locals took this up with enthusiasm, and the cathedral was built — of stone, no less, although at the time churches were mostly built of wood. Naturally, back then the tower had no clock: it was designed as the cathedral's bell tower.
The tower became a clock tower in 1600, when the first clock face and mechanism were installed. Over the years it suffered badly from fires and wars. Numerous fires and the repairs that followed changed its appearance again and again — so many times that today it's hard to tell what has survived unchanged. The clock suffered from fire too, so the mechanism was replaced several times, ordered from both Stockholm and Helsinki. The current clock has been running since the mid-19th century. During the Winter War with Finland in 1940, a bomb hit the Old Cathedral. The building was almost completely destroyed, but the Clock Tower miraculously survived.
In Soviet times the tower was fitted with a viewing platform offering a magnificent view of the town. Later the platform was closed for a long time, and tourists could only admire the tower from outside. In recent years the Clock Tower has reopened to visitors. Tickets are limited, so it's worth booking ahead. The tower is also closed in winter.
Point on route “Vyborg's Architectural Contrasts”
Point 10
🏟️ Architectural landmark • 📜 Historic site • 🔭 Viewpoint
After seeing the castle, we recommend heading back into the old town, past Old Town Hall Square and along Krepostnaya Street. Over the centuries the street changed its name many times; today it is lined with cafés, restaurants, coffee shops and souvenir stores. In 2020 part of the street was made pedestrian. It's also a great spot to admire the next stop on our route — the Clock Tower, which can be called the architectural landmark of the old town.
The Clock Tower was built in the early 16th century as the bell tower of the Old Cathedral. Back in the 15th century the Pope had called for a church to be built in Vyborg, promising to absolve the sins of everyone who took an active part in building it. Locals took this up with enthusiasm, and the cathedral was built — of stone, no less, although at the time churches were mostly built of wood. Naturally, back then the tower had no clock: it was designed as the cathedral's bell tower.
The tower became a clock tower in 1600, when the first clock face and mechanism were installed. Over the years it suffered badly from fires and wars. Numerous fires and the repairs that followed changed its appearance again and again — so many times that today it's hard to tell what has survived unchanged. The clock suffered from fire too, so the mechanism was replaced several times, ordered from both Stockholm and Helsinki. The current clock has been running since the mid-19th century. During the Winter War with Finland in 1940, a bomb hit the Old Cathedral. The building was almost completely destroyed, but the Clock Tower miraculously survived.
In Soviet times the tower was fitted with a viewing platform offering a magnificent view of the town. Later the platform was closed for a long time, and tourists could only admire the tower from outside. In recent years the Clock Tower has reopened to visitors. Tickets are limited, so it's worth booking ahead. The tower is also closed in winter.
16 points
4 km
4 hours
