Shlotburg
Peter the Great's name for the captured Swedish fortress Nyenschantz.
Shlotburg—also recorded as Slotburg, Schlotburg, or Шлотбург—was Peter the Great’s new name for the 17th-century Swedish fortress Nyenschantz. At times, the term covered all the downstream settlements and villages on the Neva River, including Saint Petersburg and the Peter and Paul Fortress. The earliest known mention of Shlotburg comes from 1703, in the first printed newspaper *Vedomosti*, a paper Peter himself had founded. The Dutch word “slot” means “castle,” and the fortress was often called a Castle Town; some historians trace the name instead to the German “schlot,” meaning “flue pass” or “neck,” a likely reference to the Neva’s narrows. In the spring of 1703, the Russian army besieged and captured the Swedish fort on the Neva’s right bank, renaming the settlement Shlotburg. The fort had been in Russian hands only a few weeks when Peter I decided to build a new fortification nearby and to found the city of St. Petersburg. Soon after, the Shlotburg fortress was leveled.
- Also known as
- Slotburg, Schlotburg, Шлотбург
- Named by
- Peter the Great
- Original name
- Nyenschantz
- First written reference
- 1703
- Location
- Right bank of the Neva River
- Field
- Fortification / settlement
- Known for
- Being the name given to the captured Swedish fortress Nyenschantz
Lore & Background
The term "slot" is Dutch for "castle," and the fortress was often referred to as a Castle Town. Some historians believe the name has German origin, derived from "schlot," meaning "flue pass" or "neck," which undoubtedly refers to the neck of the Neva. In the spring of 1703, the Russian army besieged and captured the Swedish fortress Nyenschantz, situated on the right bank of the Neva, and the settlement was renamed Shlotburg.
Reader's Guide
Shlotburg represents a brief but pivotal moment in the early history of Saint Petersburg. After the Russian army captured the Swedish fortress Nyenschantz in the spring of 1703, Peter the Great renamed it Shlotburg. However, the fort had been in Russian hands for just a few weeks when Peter I decided to build a new fortification near the site and to found the new city of St. Petersburg. Shortly afterward, the Shlotburg fortress was razed to the ground. The name Shlotburg also sometimes referred to all downstream settlements along the Neva, including Saint Petersburg and the Peter and Paul fortress, indicating its symbolic importance as a precursor to the new capital. Its legacy is tied to the founding of St. Petersburg and the expansion of Russian control over the Neva region.
Did You Know?
- The first written reference to Shlotburg dates to 1703 in the newspaper Vedomosti.
- Some historians believe the name derives from the German 'schlot,' meaning 'flue pass' or 'neck,' referring to the neck of the Neva.
- The Shlotburg fortress was razed shortly after Peter I decided to build a new fortification and found St. Petersburg.
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