KRONSTADT. A strong sea fortress and port of Russia, situated on the island of Kotlin, in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland. 31 miles west of Saint Petersburg (Map: Russia, C 2). It is regularly built and very strongly fortified by walls, earthworks, forts, and batteries. It has three harbors, including a commercial har bor, accommodating 1000. vessels. Prior to the construction of the sea canal from Kronstadt to Saint Petersburg. sea-going vessels usually un loaded at Kronstadt, and the freight was car ried to Saint Petersburg in small steamers. The completion of the canal made the port of Saint Petersburg accessible to large vessels, with the result that Kronstadt greatly declined in com mercial importance. The town has numerous public buildings. being the seat of the Admiralty and an important naval station. The house which Peter the Great oeettpied in 1710 is one of the sights of the town, and some interesting specimens of the workmanship of the Czar car penter are found in the churches. The educa
tional institutions comprise two gymnasia. a naval school, and a school for sailors. The industries of the town are chiefly in con nection with the Government navy-yards, but there are also machine-works. saw-mills, etc. The sea commerce of Kronstadt is still very important, and the port is connected by steam with Riga. Stockholm. Stettin. Lubeck, and Hull. During a part of the winter the transportation of freight from Kronstadt to Saint Petersburg is effected by means of a railway line built on the ice. Kronstadt was founded by Peter the Great in 1710. It forms a separate administrative division. and is under the administration of a military governor, who is also the commander of the port. Population, in 1897. 59.539.