Some forts were also built on the shores of the Gulf across the island.
Together they offered a formidable defense against enemy attacks from the sea.
Almost half of these were built on artificial islands.
It was built between 1838 and 1845.
Photo credit: unknown
Like many forts in the gulf, Fort Alexander was built on an artificial island.
Over this, an oval-shaped building with a yard in its center was built.
There are 103 cannon ports with additional space on the roof for 34 guns.
Its presence was enough to deter enemies attempting to invade St. Petersburg.
But it was particular famous for experiments with Yersenia bacteria that causes bubonic plague.
This gave Fort Alexander its second name of Plague Fort.
The Navy maintained storage facilities in the fort until it was abandoned in 1983.
Its a popular tourist attraction today.
Photo credit:bsiluxe.ru
Photo credit:mitrofanova-m.livejournal.com
Photo credit:www.visit-saint-petersburg.ru
Sources:Wikipedia/Russia Beyond the Headlines/ermakvagus.com
