The town’s Oreshek Fortress, was originally built from wood in 1323, destroyed by Swedish king Magnus IV and rebuilt as the mightily impressive stone fortress that Shlisselburg is known for today in 1352.

The town itself, whose name in German means “key fortress”, located on the River Neva’s bank opposite Oreshek, was founded in 1702 by Peter the Great. The town centre itself is a stunning old town with a handful of 18th century churches to explore.