Kolpino can be explored through its history as the site of the Izhora Works and the Izhora Land. Monuments, museums and historic buildings offer different perspectives: they commemorate military units and the history of the works, shed light on the city’s development and point to notable buildings. For a culturally focused stay, this offers a choice of memorial sites, local history and architecture.

Memorial Sites and Their Dedications

A monument honouring the service of the 72nd Izhora Battalion stands on Svobody Boulevard. The “Alley of Glory” is on Oboronnaya Street, near No. 2. A memorial to the tank builders of the Izhora Works stands at the intersection of Proletarskaya and Tankistov Streets. A monument to the “Normandie-Niemen” squadron is in the garden on Uritskogo Street.

Their dedications bring together a battalion, the works’ tank builders and a squadron. Military units and the work of the Izhora Works thus emerge as distinct points of reference in Kolpino’s culture of remembrance. Each memorial has its own thematic emphasis, reflected in its location and dedication.

Museums Between the History of the Works and the City

The museums broaden this perspective with their different areas of focus. The Izhora Works Joint-Stock Company Museum is located at 29 Sovetsky Boulevard and includes a military hall. The Museum of the History of the Izhora Land and the City of Kolpino features an interactive museum space dedicated to the history of Kolpino and the Izhora Land. It opened on 15 May 2007. The history of the works and the shared history of the city and region can therefore be explored as distinct themes.

Historic Buildings and Local Landmarks

The “Church of the Ascension of the Lord” was built from 1897 to 1901 to a design by technician M. A. Andreyev. It was funded primarily by the merchant A. I. Polotnov. The administrative building of the Izhora Works, with its tower and clock, is considered one of Kolpino’s best-known and most popular landmarks. The comparison spans a documented building history and an administrative building whose tower and clock give it its distinctive appearance.

Dam No. 1 adds another historic structure, dating from 1805, to the architectural history. It is no longer in operation and is considered a place for walks in Kolpino. A route devised by Valentina Lelina passes through the historic part of Kolpino and leads to the Admiralty Izhora Works. Together, these two points of interest offer different ways to explore the area: the dam as a place for a walk and the route as a link between the historic district and the works.

Saint Petersburg: Cityscape and Architecture

Saint Petersburg’s cityscape rises from the Neva estuary, where the Neva meets the Gulf of Finland; it is considered the greatest urban-planning achievement of the 18th century. The city’s architectural heritage combines Baroque and Neoclassical styles, seen in buildings such as the Admiralty, the Winter Palace, the Marble Palace and the Hermitage. Urban planning began in 1703 under Peter the Great. The many canals and more than 400 bridges are also part of Saint Petersburg’s cityscape.

Discover more destinations: Strelna, Komarovo, Pargolovo, Olgino, Pavlovsk, Repino, Molodyozhnoye, Levashovo

For the main travel overview: Saint Petersburg.