Kronstadt marks 300th anniversary of its foundation

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Kronstadt residents on the 300th anniversary of the town's foundation, the Kremlin press service said.

"Being Russia's reliable shield on the north-western borders, Kronstadt was developing as a trade, industrial, scientific and cultural center. Our great compatriots lived and worked here at different times and made discoveries, which glorified Russia. Kronstadt boasts unique waterworks, counterworks and architectural monuments," reads the President's telegram of congratulation.

Vladimir Putin is convinced that Kronstadt residents will preserve glorious traditions of their native town and contribute to its harmonious development.

Some years ago Kronstadt, a port on the Island of Kotlin in the Gulf of Finland, was closed and now it hosts hundreds of foreign guests, who came to celebrate its anniversary.

Kronstadt was founded by Peter the Great to protect St. Petersburg from the sea. Since the 1720s it has been the main base of Russia's Baltic Fleet.

200,000 stamps and a gold 10-ruble coin were issued to mark Kronstadt's 300th anniversary.