The Pallada-class cruiser bearing the name of Goddess of the dawn Aurora is well-known as a symbol of the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, although it is just a page in the history of a renowned warship. The cruiser Aurora was built between 1897 and 1900 by the “New Admiralty” in St. Petersburg and joined Russia’s Baltic fleet in 1903.
During the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 the cruiser took part in the Battle of Tsusima. Among the ship’s exhibits visitors can see a portrait of the ship’s captain, who was killed during the battle. The crew used part of the Aurora’s penetrated armor to frame Captain Yegoryev’s photograph.
In 1917, as the main training ship of the Baltic fleet, the Aurora took an active part in the Revolution. On the night of October 25-26 1917, it fired a blank shot at the Winter Palace (then the residence of the Provisional Government), giving the signal to the rebellious workers, soldiers and sailors of the city to storm the palace. That moment triggered a dramatic episode in Russia’s history and was the start of over 70 years of Communist leadership.
The Aurora is now maintained by cadets from the nearby Nakhimov Navy School, and was restored on Kronstadt military shipyard.
Open hours
Open daily 11:00 – 18:00.
Days-off: Monday and Tuesday.
Recommendations
We recommend this museum for cruise passengers.
