Leningrad Region in 3 Russian words

Gateway to Russia

Jul 28 2026

Collab Media/Getty Images

The region surrounds St. Petersburg on all sides, but they are two distinct administrative units. Unlike the city, it has retained its Soviet name – in memory of the heroic deeds of the people of Leningrad during World War II. Here are three of its main symbols.

1. БОЛЬШОЙ ГАТЧИНСКИЙ ДВОРЕЦ (Grand Gatchina Palace)

DeAgostini/Getty Images

Built in the second half of the 18th century, the palace was a gift from Catherine the Great to her favorite, Grigory Orlov. It later served as a country residence for Russian rulers and Emperor Paul I had a particular fondness for it. Today, it houses a museum and is often used as a movie set location.

2. КРЕПОСТЬ ОРЕШЕК (Oreshek Fortress)

NataliaNaberezhnaia/Getty Images

Located on Orekhovy Island at the source of the Neva River, the Oreshek Fortress is also known as the Shlisselburg Fortress. It was founded by the people of Novgorod in 1323; however, for most of the 17th century, it belonged to the Swedes, until Peter I recaptured it in 1702. For a long time, the fortress was used as a prison. In 1764, Tsar Ivan VI, who had been deposed in infancy, was murdered there.

3. ВЫБОРГСКИЙ ЗАМОК (Vyborg Castle)

Denis Yudin/Getty Image

This is the only fully preserved Western European-style fortress in Russia. The castle was founded by the Swedes in 1293. For centuries, it served as their main outpost in the Eastern Baltic and was a “thorn in the side” for the Russians. It was not until 1710, during the Great Northern War, that it was captured by Peter the Great's army.