Nyenschantz Swedish fortress seized by Russian troops

Nyenschantz fortress situated at the confluence of Okhta river with Neva river, was built by Swedes in 1611 to control Izhora lands and the waterways along Neva. With the lapse of time around the fortress walls had grown a trade town of two hundred houses, a shipyard and a moorage for big ships. Nyenschantz merchants hoping to keep this commercially advantageous territory, provided the Swedish king Karl XII with a significant sum of money to fight a war against Russia.

The Northern War began in 1700. In order for Peter I to reach Neva banks and the Golf of Finland he had to occupy two fortresses: Noteborg situated at the head of Neva river and Nyenschants that controlled its mouth. Having seized the fortress of Noteborg on October 14 (25), 1702 (the former Novgorod fortress Oreshek/Nutlet) which protected the access to Neva from the lake of Ladoga, Nyenschantz remained the single Swedish fortress blocking the access to the Gulf of Finland from Neva.

On 24-26 April (5-6 May), 1703 the Russian army commanded by Field Marshal General B. P. Sheremetev approached the fortress and started the siege. The fortress’ garrison included 600 men with 76 cannons and 3 mortars.

On 30 April (11 May), when the fortress commandant had refused to surrender, at 7:00 p.m. the artillery fire began: 20 cannons fired 9 volleys; 12 mortars had been firing the fortress during the whole night. After the explosion of powder magazine the fortress could not resist any more.

On 1 (12) May, 1703 the fortress capitulated. Having captured Nyenschantz, the Russians gained the control over the entire Neva, from source to mouth. The access to the Gulf of Finland was open. After its fall Nyenschantz was renamed to Slotburg (Lock town). Under the capitulation agreement the Swedish garrison was sent by ships to Vyborg. To mark the capture of Nyenschantz was established a memorable medal with emperor’s image engraved on it. A. Shkhonebek created a gravure picturing the assault of the fortress by the Russian troops.

On 16 (27) May, 1703 down the stream of Neva, was founded a new Russian fortress of Peter and Paul. Soon it was decided to demolish the Swedish fortifications.

On 15 June 2000 on the site of one of fortress’ bastions was opened a granite monument ‘Nyenschantz fortress’.

In the end of May 2003, on the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg was opened the museum named ‘700 years – Lands crown, Neva mouth, Nyenschantz’ (now ‘Nyenschantz’).

Lit.: Любимов А. И. Штурм шведской крепости Ниеншанц 25 апреля (6 мая) 1703 г. // Сборник докладов военно-исторической секции Ленинградского дома учёных им. А. М. Горького. М.;Л., 1960. № 3. С. 91-97; Сорокин П. Е. Предшественники Петербурга. Ландскрона — Невское устье — Ниеншанц // Санкт-Петербургские епархиальные ведомости 2003. № 30-31; Шарымов А. М. Предыстория Санкт-Петербурга. 1703 год. СПб., 2009.
 

Based on the Presidential Library's materials:

Great Northern War (1700–1721) // Peter I (1672—1725): [digital collection]