St Anna's Crown (Annenkron, Anna's fortress) is located in Vyborg, to the north of Vyborg castle. Abo Bridge connects it to the main part of town.

1731 The fortress is founded according to a project by military engineer de Coulon.

1740-41 The so-called War of the Hats leads to some strenghtening plans by baron von Luberas. They are carried out by 1743.

1752 The road leading to Abo Bridge is completed

1772 Catherine the Great orders for fortifications to be reinforced and modernized.

Late XVIII - early XIX century several different conflicts between Sweden and Russia take place. The fortress is kept ready for action but it never actually takes part in any campaign.

1854 The fortress is once again under work in connection to Crimean War.

1860s The fortress loses its military significance. Furthermore, a new road, splitting it into two open halves, makes its defence impossible.

The four stone-clad bastions form a crown-shaped line of defence, which reaches from Vyborg Bay's Tervaniemi to the Castle Bay (about one km). On the north side of the fortress there's a deep, dry moat in front of all the bastions. All defences are furnished with contre-escarps (slopes) and passages.

In front of bastions there are some ravelins and a contreguarde(?). Inside the fortress, some gunpowder cellars, a guardhouse and engineers' court are preserved.

Having led a peaceful life, the fortress is mostly in a good condition, except for the shoreline embankments. There is overall documentation available on the fortress and restoration works have been carried out since 1984.

Some historical societies' equestrian competitions and summer tennis games take place in the fortress. There have also been plans and proposals for festivals, exhibitions and market days.

Vyborg is conveniently accessible by road or railway from Finland and Russia. The museum is open from Tuesday till Sunday 11 - 7 p.m.