Anyone who appreciates delicious cuisine and is interested in historical places should visit the Round Tower restaurant, the location of which is Vyborg. It exists for no less than 460 years, and in its entire history has seen (literally) everything, including a variety of personalities. Once upon a time there were Swedish kings in this building; he did not fall in ruins during the changing eras and during the war years. He survived many reconstructions - and still survived. The final architectural appearance took shape only at the beginning of the 20th century. The Finnish architect Ulberg was engaged in this. And the tower became the restaurant for the first time in 1923.
The Round Tower (Vyborg): history
This architectural structure was built as a monument of fortification. The construction was completed on August 15, 1550 - it was part of a complex consisting of two towers: Round and Skotoprogonnaya (in a stone city wall). They were connected by a seventeen-meter battle gallery. The complex was a fortification of the gateway of the medieval type, simply put - a barbican.
If you look at the tower from the technical side, it has almost the correct shape, but more like a circle, but an oval. The diameter is a little more than 20 m, and the wall thickness is 4 m. It has three floors in height. Given the tower, the length is the same as the diameter.
Construction was carried out by the Bergen fortifier on the orders of the Swiss king Gustav Waz. His goal was to improve the defensive ability of the city from the southeast. And already after 6 years from the date of completion of the construction, the tower received a baptism of fire - the next Russian-Swedish war began, which this time lasted 2 years.
Ivan the Terrible ordered the army to besiege Vyborg, and perhaps this order was given due to the fact that the signing of an agreement on the transfer of part of the Karelian Isthmus to Sweden was to take place in the fortress. Now this act is considered a huge mistake on the part of the Russian Tsar, since it caused the beginning of problems in the country and, of course, entailed the territorial loss of the Empire.
The fortress (Vyborg) “The Round Tower” was not called as soon as the city became part of Russia (1710): Petersburg and Petrovskaya, Tolstaya Katerina and the ram prison ... If during the wars it played the role of a defensive structure, then in peacetime it was and the prison, and the arsenal, and the flour warehouse.
Several times the tower was threatened with demolition, when due to uselessness, when due to its dilapidation. And sometimes it’s not at all clear why they wanted to demolish it. For example, in the year of the beginning of the 20th century, an architect who built a bank nearby insisted on the destruction of the fortress, because it supposedly spoiled the beautiful view of its architectural masterpiece.
In 1922, a restaurant was opened here. At the same time, the building becomes the meeting place of the Technical Club. In the 40-41 years of the last century, a museum was equipped there. From 1944 to 1972 stored pharmacological agents. And from 1976 to the present day, the historic restaurant is again working in the tower.
Exterior and interior of the Round Tower
The fortress structure was repeatedly modified, both outside and inside. What you can see today is the work of the Finnish architect Uno Ulberg. He was engaged in reconstruction in the XX century. The fortress (Vyborg) “Round Tower” inside is decorated with an original fresco made based on the coats of arms of ancient noble families. Here, a bewitching painted ceiling, stairs and lamps corresponding in the design plan, and even the oldest fireplace, which was restored by the skillful hands of craftsmen.
Outside, the fortress is plastered, but red stones are visible through the layer - elements of the old masonry. The roof, which is today, was not always. The "Round Tower" was often subjected to arson, so every time they restored it with some changes. Perhaps the only thing left from antiquity is the walls. The rest was redone and reconstructed.
So, in the XVII century the tower was crowned with a dome, which had a conical shape. At the top was equipped with an observation deck that allows you to observe the surroundings. A century later, the dome already had a spire and a weather vane. Closer to the XIX century, the spire became sharp, and the weather vane took the form of an eagle.
Menus and culinary traditions spanning centuries
A restaurant in a city like Vyborg (“Round Tower”) specializes in dishes of ancient Russian and European cuisine. In addition, other food options are offered here, which are maximally adapted to the requirements of the guests. For example, for tourists who need to eat during the tour, there is a special menu that takes into account different tastes (tour menu). You can order a business lunch or rent a bar located on the second floor for business negotiations. In general, there are many food options.
The Round Tower these days
The institution is located on the third floor and is divided into two rooms: the main (“Vassa”) and banquet (“Renaissance”). The first is designed for 120 people, the second is perfect for conferences and important negotiations.
Today the restaurant (Vyborg) "Round Tower" is the center for stylized "medieval" events. For example, catering is possible in the courtyard of the fortress. Musical evenings, discos, playing folk instruments, wine tasting and interactive medieval programs are regularly held. This is a chance to spend an interesting and tasty meal.
"Round Tower" (Vyborg): address, phone and mode of operation
It is located in Vyborg, Market Square, 1. You can contact the organization by calling 8 813 782 36 48 and 8 813 783 17 29. On Fridays and Saturdays, it is open from 10 am to 2 am, and on other days from 10:00 until 00:00.
Reviews of the Round Tower restaurant in Vyborg
What really does not please is the available, in addition to positive, negative reviews about this restaurant. Some visitors write that the service here is at the “0” level, and not high-class specialists work in the institution, as indicated in the certificate, but, to put it mildly, incompetent people who have nothing to do with the restaurant business. Poor menu, lack of doorman, carelessness to visitors and poor-quality dining furniture - that's what disappointed tourists write about. However, there are many who like the Round Tower restaurant in Vyborg, and they are ready to visit it again, not only with a view to seeing medieval sights.