On July 27, 2018, the largest museum ship in Russia, the "Bespokoyny," was opened in Kronstadt. This destroyer-class ship was launched in June 1990 and, after nearly 20 years of service, was decommissioned and eventually converted into a museum.
How to Get There
You can reach Kronstadt from Saint Petersburg by taking bus No. 101 from the "Staraya Derevnya" metro station or minibuses 407 from "Prospekt Prosveshcheniya" metro station, and 405 from "Chernaya Rechka" metro station. The fare ranges from 35 to 40 rubles.
The ship is located on one of the banks of the Petrovsky Canal. You can walk to it from the bus stops arriving from Saint Petersburg ("Grazhdanskaya Street" or "Roshchal Square").
Entry to the ship is free, but we were unable to find out the operating hours. After the ship's grand opening, it was noted that visitors could board the ship on Saturdays from 12:00 to 19:00 and on Sundays from 10:00 to 19:00. The "Bespokoyny" will be part of the "Patriot" park being built in Kronstadt. After the park opens, official information on the ship museum's schedule will likely be available.
The opposite bank of the canal is the mooring area for the Russian Navy's ships. Access is restricted, but the pier is open to visitors during holidays. Admission is free, but only Russian citizens with passports are allowed.
History of the "Bespokoyny" Destroyer
The ship was laid down at the Northern Shipyard in Saint Petersburg (A. A. Zhdanov Plant) in 1987. Initially, the destroyer was assigned to the Black Sea Fleet and later to the Baltic Fleet.
In 1992, a fire broke out on the ship, damaging radar equipment and several compartments. In 1994, the "Bespokoyny" supported the visit of the Queen of the United Kingdom to Russia. Throughout its service, the ship participated in more than 30 exercises and rescue operations.
In 2004, during a sea voyage, the ship was unable to return under its own power. A few years later, the "Bespokoyny" was completely immobilized, and its engines were transferred to another vessel. Preparations to convert the ship into a museum began in 2016.
With the opening of the museum ship, the tradition of the noon cannon shot returned to Kronstadt, a practice that had existed until 1996.
Currently, various samples of modern weaponry are installed on the ship. In the future, the authorities plan to equip the museum with a multimedia system.
If you don't have time to visit Kronstadt, you can explore other legendary museum ships in Saint Petersburg, such as the "Krasin" and "Aurora."
In summary:
- An unusual open-air museum with free admission;
- The ship offers excellent views of the seascape;
- A chance to learn more about the history of Kronstadt and Saint Petersburg.
