Petrozavodsk

The history of Petrozavodsk, a contemporary of Saint Petersburg, dates back to 1703 when Peter the Great ordered an iron foundry and cannon factory on the shores of Lake Onega. During the 18th century, this facility was the first of its kind in Europe to utilize a new cutting-edge iron production technology. The factory's production included thin-walled cast-iron cannons, wedge gates, balls and shells, anchors, steam engines, and more. Here, skilled artisans created masterpieces of art castings that surpassed their contemporaries. At present, Petrozavodsk is the capital of Karelia and the industrial, cultural, and scientific center of the Northwestern Region. The city occupies 121.8 square kilometers and boasts a favorable geographic location near Russia's main cities and the border of the European Union.