Annensky fortifications – fortifications in Vyborg, located on the island of TARDIS. They built in 1730-1750, Annensky structures called Annenkron in honor of the Russian Empress Anna Ioannovna (from the Swede. "Annenkrone", which means "Crown of St. Anne"). The fortress, the latest at the time, occupied an area comparable to the entire urban development. Today Annensky fortifications are a rare monument of Russian defensive architecture after Petrine times.

Annensky fortifications are four bastions connected by curtain walls, stretching across the island from the shores of the Gulf of Vyborg to the Bay Protective.

History Annensky fortifications began in January 1724, when the most famous in those days for military engineers Minikh, Coulomb and De Brini proposed to develop the project of the military fortifications of the town. Munnich and Pendant agreed in opinion that it is necessary to strengthen coastal island territory TARDIS.

Project Minich stipulated the construction of a fortified strip that crossed the entire island. The project was recognized as expensive, and besides, its implementation would require a considerable number of the garrison and a large armament.

To be built in 1731, was approved the project of the pendant, which defensive zone by a semi-covered island coast just opposite the castle and walked further along the Cape Shore Resin. The draft pendant exclude many quite time-consuming excavation work. And the rounded flanks of the fortifications had not been as vulnerable.

The construction of the fortifications began in 1730 Fortifications were built by Russian peasants and soldiers. To perform the work of Kexholm and Viborg counties requested 2 thousand people and 200 supply. Fortifications were built in secret, outsiders are not allowed to the construction site. To 1733 was already dug a pit and built two bastions, and in the early 1740s all the basic elements of the fortress were built.

First, the construction was carried out by Munnich, later a Lieutenant – General Libercom. In the early 1750s on Annensky fortifications worked for A. P. Hannibal, great-grandfather of the great poet, previously located in the Siberian exile. His return was facilitated personally Munnich, he committed to A. P. Gannibal the guidance of the Engineering part of the Military Board. His main duty was to verify the annual reports on the construction of fortresses, analysis of projects and budgets.

In addition to the fortifications of the fortress were built two powder-magazines, artillery warehouse stores, three stores, two guardhouses – guardhouses, three blacksmith shops, a well, 16 residential blocks.

The fortress in the second half of the 18th century. there was an active life. Inhabited by mainly Russian. Despite the fact that Annensky fortifications had never been sieges, repair and restoration work is running almost continuously. Had to rebuild eroded by waves after strong storms defenses. Often the fires. The largest occurred in 1793

In 1772 and 1808 in new aggravation of the Russian-Swedish relations, and in 1854 – the Crimean war Annensky fortifications were put in order. In 1864-1865, the fortress was cut into two parts by the road, so they almost completely lost its defensive value.

Annensky fortifications are in the shape of a crown and cover an area about a kilometer long. Besides the four bastions connected by curtain walls, the fortress consists of earthen ditches and ramparts, which form three front Bastion. Corgard strengthens the second Bastion. The outer wall of the fortifications (escarpment) is made of granite boulders. Wall height is 10 m, and the thickness is 3 m. Along the old road, going West, in earthen clumps made two stone gate: Fredrikshamn and Lenina str. gate.

In honor of the 200th anniversary of the capture of Vyborg by Russian troops in front of Fredrikshamn gates on the common grave of Russian soldiers who fell at the storming of Vyborg in 1910 was installed stele. In the years of independence of Finland, the Stela was removed, and in 1994 its exact copy was restored.

Annensky fortifications performing in the past an important role in the system of defense of the Russian border in the North-West, as a valuable monument of Russian military architecture of its time protected by the state.

Currently well-preserved military fortifications quite often are the scene of various cultural events. The castle plays host to the reconstruction of jousting and dance festival "Castle Dance".