Fort “Emperor Alexander I” (Plague Fort)
Plague Fort is one of the long-term structures that are part of the defense system of Kronstadt. Its second name is Fort “Emperor Alexander I”. The structure rises on a small artificial island south of Kotlin Island. Kotlin Island. The Plague Fort was erected from 1838 to 1845. It was a typical casemated sea fort of that time. It resembles the famous French Fort Boyarde, which was completed later than “Alexander I”. The fort was a three-storey oval building 90 by 60 meters, with a courtyard in the center. From 1899 to 1917 it was used as a laboratory for plague research. Today the Plague Fort shares the sad fate of other Kronstadt fortresses – it is gradually decaying and deteriorating. Although there is still something to see here: the cast-iron staircases, mechanisms and walls of the fort have been preserved, and an ancient furnace can be seen in the basement.
