St olaf dining hall. St. Olaf Dining Hall: A Comprehensive Guide to Campus Food Options and Student Feedback

What are the main dining options at St. Olaf College. How does Bon Appetit manage food services on campus. What feedback have students provided about the dining experience. How is the college addressing dining concerns and improving food options.

The History and Management of St. Olaf’s Dining Services

St. Olaf College’s main dining facility, Stav Hall, is located in Buntrock Commons and managed by Bon Appetit, a nationwide food service provider. Bon Appetit has been St. Olaf’s food service partner since 1996, overseeing operations for both Stav Hall and the Cage café. As an on-site restaurant company, Bon Appetit manages food services for various institutions across 32 states, including universities, corporations, and museums.

The longevity of this partnership raises an important question: Has Bon Appetit’s long-term management led to complacency or continued innovation in campus dining? While the company’s extensive experience in institutional food service is valuable, it’s crucial to regularly assess whether their offerings continue to meet the evolving needs and preferences of the student body.

Student Feedback and the Formation of Stav Force One

In response to growing concerns about campus dining options, the Student Government Association (SGA) Senate initiated a group called Stav Force One in Spring 2022. This team of eight students, representing various campus organizations and perspectives, was tasked with evaluating Stav Hall and overall dining services at St. Olaf.

Stav Force One’s mission, as defined in the SGA bylaws, is to assess the dining needs of St. Olaf students and determine how well Stav Hall is meeting those needs. The group employs various methods to gather student input, including targeted outreach to specific student groups and larger events open to the general student population.

The Stav Town Hall: A Forum for Open Discussion

On April 26, 2022, Stav Force One organized a Town Hall meeting to facilitate direct communication between students and campus leadership regarding food-related concerns. The panel included key figures such as:

• Traci Quinnell, Bon Appetit General Manager
• Pamela McDowell, Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life
• Steve Lindley, Director of Financial Aid
• Hassel A Morrison, Vice President for Student Life

This diverse panel allowed for a comprehensive discussion of dining issues from various administrative perspectives. The Town Hall, which ran for approximately 90 minutes, provided students with the opportunity to voice their concerns, ask questions, and offer critiques about Stav Hall and other food options on campus.

Key Issues Raised at the Stav Town Hall

The Town Hall discussion covered a wide range of topics related to campus dining. Some of the primary issues addressed included:

1. The possibility of adding another dining option elsewhere on campus
2. Improving student wages for those working in food services
3. Enhancing allergy accommodation and food safety protocols
4. Addressing staffing shortages and their impact on food quality and service

These concerns highlight the complex nature of campus dining, which goes beyond just food quality to encompass issues of accessibility, affordability, and employment.

Staffing Challenges in the Wake of COVID-19

One of the recurring themes throughout the Town Hall was the impact of staffing shortages on dining services. Traci Quinnell, the Bon Appetit General Manager, candidly addressed this issue, stating, “I’m not gonna lie, COVID is killing us, it really is. My people are tired and you know they are tired. We are really looking forward to giving them a break this summer.”

This statement raises important questions about the long-term effects of the pandemic on campus dining services. How can St. Olaf and Bon Appetit work together to address these staffing challenges? What strategies can be implemented to ensure consistent quality and service despite these ongoing difficulties?

Student Satisfaction and Areas for Improvement

While the Town Hall provided a platform for students to voice their concerns, it’s important to note that overall satisfaction with campus dining can vary widely among the student body. Some students may find the current offerings satisfactory, while others may have specific dietary needs or preferences that are not being met.

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of student satisfaction, it would be beneficial to conduct regular surveys or focus groups. This could help identify trends in student preferences and pinpoint specific areas for improvement.

Potential Areas for Enhancement

Based on the issues raised during the Town Hall and common concerns in campus dining, some potential areas for improvement might include:

• Expanding menu variety to cater to diverse dietary needs and preferences
• Improving communication about daily menu offerings and nutritional information
• Enhancing sustainability efforts in food sourcing and waste management
• Increasing flexibility in meal plan options to better suit individual student needs
• Implementing more efficient systems to reduce wait times during peak hours

The Role of Bon Appetit in Campus Dining

As the primary food service provider for St. Olaf, Bon Appetit plays a crucial role in shaping the campus dining experience. The company’s philosophy emphasizes fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and made-from-scratch cooking. But how well does this translate to the daily reality of feeding a large student population?

It’s worth examining Bon Appetit’s performance in key areas such as:

1. Food quality and taste
2. Nutritional value and balance
3. Variety of options
4. Accommodation of dietary restrictions and allergies
5. Responsiveness to student feedback

By regularly assessing these aspects, St. Olaf can ensure that Bon Appetit continues to meet the college’s standards and student expectations.

Comparative Analysis: St. Olaf vs. Other Colleges

To put St. Olaf’s dining services in perspective, it’s useful to compare them with those of other similar institutions. For instance, Carleton College, which is also served by Bon Appetit, could provide an interesting point of comparison. How do the dining experiences at these two neighboring colleges differ, despite having the same food service provider?

A broader comparison with other liberal arts colleges could also yield valuable insights. Some questions to consider might include:

• How does the variety of dining options at St. Olaf compare to peer institutions?
• Are there innovative dining programs at other colleges that St. Olaf could learn from?
• How do meal plan costs and structures compare across similar colleges?

Such comparisons could help identify areas where St. Olaf excels and areas where there’s room for improvement.

The Future of Dining at St. Olaf: Stav Force One’s Ongoing Efforts

Following the Town Hall, Stav Force One is taking concrete steps to address the concerns raised by students. The group plans to present a comprehensive report to the leadership teams of the Finance Office and Bon Appetit. This report will include findings from their research throughout the semester and offer recommendations for improvements that could be implemented as soon as the summer of 2022.

Fenton Krupp ’24, the Chair of Stav Force One, expressed satisfaction with the Town Hall, stating, “I’m very happy with how the town hall went. There was great energy in that ballroom. I think it will be vital to continue to create spaces for those conversations to happen, and I will ensure that is a primary goal of Stav Force One as long as I remain its chair.”

Long-Term Goals and Strategies

Looking ahead, Stav Force One aims to establish more efficient channels of communication between students and staff regarding food-related issues on campus. Their goal is to move away from semesterly reports and develop an ongoing relationship where student comments and critiques can be addressed promptly by Bon Appetit.

This approach raises several important questions:

• How can St. Olaf ensure that student feedback is consistently collected and acted upon?
• What mechanisms can be put in place to track the implementation of suggested improvements?
• How can the college balance the need for responsive dining services with budgetary constraints?

Addressing these questions will be crucial for the long-term success of dining services at St. Olaf.

Nutritional Considerations and Healthy Eating on Campus

While discussions about campus dining often focus on taste preferences and variety, it’s equally important to consider the nutritional aspect of the food offered. College students are at a crucial stage in their lives where establishing healthy eating habits can have long-lasting effects on their overall well-being.

Some key nutritional considerations for campus dining include:

1. Offering a balance of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats) in meals
2. Providing ample fresh fruits and vegetables
3. Limiting the availability of overly processed foods and sugary beverages
4. Clearly labeling nutritional information to help students make informed choices
5. Offering nutrition education programs to promote healthy eating habits

How well is St. Olaf addressing these nutritional concerns in its current dining offerings? Are there opportunities to enhance the nutritional value of meals without compromising on taste or student satisfaction?

Addressing Special Dietary Needs

In today’s diverse campus environment, accommodating special dietary needs is more important than ever. This includes catering to various religious dietary restrictions, allergies, and lifestyle choices such as vegetarianism or veganism.

Some questions to consider in this area include:

• How effectively does Stav Hall cater to students with food allergies or intolerances?
• Are there sufficient options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets?
• How are religious dietary restrictions (such as kosher or halal requirements) accommodated?
• Is there clear communication about ingredients and potential allergens in all dishes?

Addressing these concerns not only ensures that all students have access to safe and satisfying meals but also promotes a more inclusive campus environment.

Sustainability Initiatives in Campus Dining

As environmental concerns become increasingly pressing, many colleges are focusing on sustainability in their dining operations. This can encompass a wide range of initiatives, from sourcing local ingredients to implementing waste reduction programs.

Some potential areas for sustainability efforts in campus dining include:

1. Partnering with local farms and suppliers to reduce food miles
2. Implementing composting programs for food waste
3. Reducing single-use plastics and promoting reusable containers
4. Offering more plant-based meal options to reduce the carbon footprint of dining services
5. Educating students about the environmental impact of their food choices

What sustainability initiatives are currently in place at St. Olaf’s dining facilities? Are there opportunities to expand these efforts and make them more visible to the student body?

The Role of Student Engagement in Sustainability Efforts

Engaging students in sustainability initiatives can not only help improve the effectiveness of these programs but also provide valuable educational opportunities. Some ways to increase student involvement might include:

• Creating student-led sustainability committees focused on dining services
• Organizing events or challenges to promote sustainable eating habits
• Offering internships or work-study positions related to sustainable dining practices
• Incorporating sustainability topics into relevant courses across various disciplines

By actively involving students in these efforts, St. Olaf can foster a culture of sustainability that extends beyond the dining hall and into students’ lives after college.

Technology and Innovation in Campus Dining

In an increasingly digital world, technology can play a significant role in enhancing the campus dining experience. From mobile ordering apps to digital menu boards, there are numerous ways that technology can streamline operations and improve student satisfaction.

Some potential technological innovations for campus dining might include:

1. Mobile apps for viewing menus, nutritional information, and real-time occupancy levels
2. Online ordering systems to reduce wait times during peak hours
3. Digital payment methods to speed up transactions
4. Smart vending machines offering healthy snacks and meals outside regular dining hours
5. AI-powered systems for predicting food demand and reducing waste

How is St. Olaf currently leveraging technology in its dining services? Are there opportunities to implement new technological solutions to address student concerns and improve overall efficiency?

Balancing Technology with Personal Touch

While technology can certainly enhance many aspects of campus dining, it’s important to strike a balance between efficiency and maintaining a welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere. Some considerations in this area might include:

• Ensuring that technological solutions don’t create barriers for students who may not have access to smartphones or other devices
• Maintaining opportunities for face-to-face interaction between students and dining staff
• Using technology to enhance, rather than replace, the social aspects of dining together
• Providing adequate training and support for both staff and students in using new technologies

By carefully considering these factors, St. Olaf can implement technological solutions that improve the dining experience while preserving the sense of community that is so important to campus life.

Stav Town Hall incites feedback regarding food options on campus – The Olaf Messenger

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By Caroline Peacore
News
May 9, 2022

Stav Force One — a Student Government Association (SGA) Senate initiative — held a Town Hall meeting on April 26 in which St. Olaf students provided feedback on campus dining options – specifically Stav Hall. 

The town hall consisted of a question and answer portion with a panel of individuals including Bon Appetit General Manager Traci Quinnell, Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life Pamela McDowell, Director of Financial Aid Steve Lindley, and Vice President for Student Life Hassel A Morrison. The panel worked to provide information from various parts of campus leadership relating to food concerns. The Chair of Stav Force One, Fenton Krupp ’24, led questions in the beginning before opening up the conversation so that audience members could ask questions and offer comments.  

Bon Appetit (Bon App) is the College’s food service provider, running operations for both the Cage and Stav Hall. Bon App is an on-site restaurant company that does full-food service management to various corporations, universities, and museums in 32 states across the country. Bon App is also the service provider for Carleton College. St. Olaf transitioned to Bon App in 1996 and has been using it ever since. 

Running approximately an hour and a half long, the Town Hall worked as a conversation between students and staff to share concerns, questions, and critiques relating to Stav’s food options. The event was run by Stav Force One in an effort to better understand student concerns as they work to present needed changes to the administration as well as Bon App leadership moving forward. 

Sponsored by the Senate, Stav Force One is a group of 8 students dedicated to evaluating Stav Hall and dining services for students. The group consists of an Interfaith Fellow, a member of the Taylor Center Executive Council, a Bon App employee, athletic representatives, Student Senators, and Board of Regents Student Committee (BORSC) representatives. Started in Spring 2022, the group plans to continue through the 2022-23 school year. The goals of Stav Force One consist of gathering student input and officially reporting it to the College. 

“Our mission, per the SGA bylaws, is to evaluate the dining needs of students at St. Olaf College, and the role of Stav Hall in satisfying the needs of students,” Krupp wrote in an email to the Messenger. “We’ve been gathering student input through targeted student group outreach and larger events aimed at the general student population.”

The Town Hall covered various topics like putting another dining option somewhere else on campus, bettering student wages, and issues of allergy accommodation and safety protocols. The majority of questions were pointed toward Quinnell as students mostly asked about their own experiences eating in Stav. One of the main issues that continued to come up was staffing shortages. 

“I’m not gonna lie, COVID is killing us, it really is. My people are tired and you know they are tired. We are really looking forward to giving them a break this summer,” Quinell who continuously expressed various challenges that have come up due to problems with staff shortages, said. 

“I’m very happy with how the town hall went. There was great energy in that ballroom,” Krupp wrote. “I think it will be vital to continue to create spaces for those conversations to happen, and I will ensure that is a primary goal of Stav Force One as long as I remain its chair.” 

Stav Force One will be presenting a report to the leadership teams of the Finance Office and Bon App based on the Town Hall’s findings. 

“This report will include our findings from research this semester and include recommendations that can be implemented beginning as soon as this summer,” Krupp wrote. 

Stav Force One is hoping to continue coming up with better ways to streamline communication between students and staff regarding food on campus. Their goal is to shift away from semesterly reports and have a more ongoing relationship where student comments and critiques can be taken straight to Bon App as they come up.  

“I thought the event went well.  As I stated that night – good lines of communication are very important for everyone and it was a good start to open up the conversations.” Quinnell wrote in an email to the Messenger. 

Interested students can email [email protected] for more information about the Town Hall or feedback regarding dining on campus. 

An archived live stream of the Town Hall can be viewed on Instagram, @theolafmessenger. 

[email protected]

Additional dining hall needed as cafeteria crowds – The Olaf Messenger

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By Alexa Johanningmeier
Opinions
October 11, 2018

Life at St. Olaf moves at the speed of light – at times, it’s downright frenetic. Between full course loads, demanding co-curricular activities, the ceaseless hunt for a full eight hours’ sleep and making time to hang out with friends, there is rarely a stress-free day for us as college students. Why, then, must grabbing a bite on campus be so chaotic as well? Whether it’s making it to the cafeteria before a particular meal-time ends, maneuvering through the buffet-style lines when Stav Hall is stuffed with people or trying to find a seat during the peak of the dinner rush, having a meal in our dining hall might just give us all grey hair.

Our comrades over at Carleton – a school with approximately one thousand fewer students – have two cafeteria-style dining halls and two cafés from which to choose when tummies start rumbling. Why is it that the smaller of the two colleges in Northfield has twice the on-campus dining options?

If I had to put myself in the administration’s shoes, I’d guess their primary argument against building another dining hall on the Hill – besides finding the space for one and the fiscal resources to allow for one – would be that spreading students out across two primary dining facilities would take a wrecking ball to the thoughtfully constructed, close-knit atmosphere our single communal dining hall has facilitated. If I’m being frank, I think the powers-that-be would resist the idea of another dining hall because they value the College’s image as having an intentionally, intensely residential campus more than they value the comfort of its students.

Carleton is significantly closer to downtown Northfield than St. Olaf, giving its students better access to grub within walking distance. Oles without cars face a long trek on foot or a ride on an inconsistent network of shuttles if they want to eat off campus. While this is nothing more than coincidence, it does, in my estimation, provide the College with another argument against giving Oles another cafeteria. When one’s Flex Dollars and Ole Dollars hit end-of-semester lows and transportation is limited, one is quite literally forced to face the caf no matter how overcrowded it may be.

Will there be a solution in the near future for students who, like me, are dissatisfied with the current state of cafeteria crowding? I’d venture to guess there will not be. If St. Olaf’s Strategic Resource Allocation Project (SRAP) initiative and other cost-cutting ventures are of any indication, the College simply won’t be able to afford to break ground on a second dining hall at the drop of a hat. And, even if our finances did turn around overnight, there are probably much bigger fish to fry than adding another cafeteria – musicians and vocalists have been calling for an auditorium for at least a decade. Until a wealthy donor gives St. Olaf a few million dollars with a dining hall in mind, Stav Hall will remain the place we love to hate during the 6:30 p.m. dinner rush.

Alexa Johanningmeier ’21 ([email protected]) is from Saint Louis, Mo. Her major is undecided.

editorspick

Moscow (NRT) – Valaam – Sortavala – Pellotsari – St. Petersburg (Utkina Zavod) – Kizhi – Moscow (NRT)

Meals
3 times a day

Excursions
Excursion package

Tariffs by category in rubles per person (except as otherwise indicated).

Category	Adult	Child	Free seat supplement
A two-room cabin with private facilities (shower, bathroom, air conditioning) is designed to accommodate from two to three people. Comfortable living room with a modern interior, upholstered furniture, coffee table, wardrobe, TV with DVD (satellite TV), refrigerator, radio, two viewing windows, electrical outlet for 220 V. In the bedroom: double bed, wardrobe, dressing table, two viewing windows. “>LUX	169,000	169,000	—
One-room cabin with private facilities (shower, bathroom, air conditioning), designed to accommodate from two to three people. Spacious cabin with a modern interior, upholstered furniture – a sofa, two armchairs, a double bed, a wardrobe, a TV with DVD (satellite TV), a refrigerator, a radio, three viewing windows, an electrical outlet for 220V “>Junior Suite A	143600	143600	–
One-room cabin with private facilities (shower, bathroom, air conditioning), designed to accommodate from two to four people. Spacious cabin with a modern interior, two separate beds, wardrobe, coffee table, TV with DVD (satellite TV), refrigerator, radio, two viewing windows, 220V electrical outlet. With three and four places – the third and fourth places are located in the second tier. “> Junior suite B	127 400	127 400	—
Single cabin on the boat deck. In the cabin: one bed, wardrobe, radio, TV (satellite TV), shower, toilet, refrigerator, air conditioning, observation window, 220V electrical outlet.	–
Double single-story cabin located on the boat deck. In the cabin: two berths, wardrobe, radio, TV (satellite TV), shower, bathroom, refrigerator, air conditioning, viewing window, 220V electrical outlet.”> 1A	86,700	73,695	—
Single cabin located on the middle deck. In the cabin: one bed, wardrobe, radio, TV (satellite TV), shower, bathroom, refrigerator, air conditioning, observation window, 220V electrical socket. “>1 sr	102 800	–	–
Double single-story cabin on the middle deck. In the cabin: two berths, wardrobe, radio, TV (satellite TV), shower, toilet, refrigerator, air conditioning, observation window, 220V electrical outlet.	–
Double single-story cabin on the main deck. In the cabin: two berths, a wardrobe, a radio, a TV set (satellite TV), a shower, a bathroom, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a viewing window, an electric socket for 220V.”>1С	80,700	68,595	—
Triple single-story cabin located on the lower deck. The cabin has three beds, a wardrobe, a radio, a TV (satellite TV), a shower, a bathroom, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, two windows, an electrical outlet for 220V “> 2A 4	—

Popular routes | Tourist Information Center of the Vyborgsky District

What must be seen in Vyborg and the Vyborgsky District?

This is the most popular question in the Tourist Information Center) And we always say that one day is not enough for you to see and feel our atmosphere, you must definitely come back to us again and again. Vyborg is a unique city located on the coast of the Vyborg Bay, located in the northeastern part of the Gulf of Finland. It is a major economic, industrial and cultural center of the Leningrad region, a port on the Baltic, an important junction of highways and railways. People often go to Vyborg for the weekend: the city is just an hour’s drive from St. Petersburg and 35 km from the Finnish border. A “stone” city with a European face – Vyborg is unlike any other city in Russia. On the territory of a small historical part of the city there are more than three hundred monuments (including medieval ones), which makes Vyborg especially attractive for tourists.

Vyborg Castle. Of course, the visiting card of the city is the Vyborg Castle, from which the history began. The Tower of St. Olaf, which in the Middle Ages was the highest donjon in Scandinavia, rises 75 meters above the waters of the bay (the height of the building itself is 50 meters). The walls of the castle and its towers were repeatedly rebuilt due to changing fortification requirements. On the territory of the castle there are permanent and temporary exhibitions dedicated to the rich history of this region. Theatrical performances held here and the interactive exhibition “Knight’s Hall” will help tourists to plunge into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Here they try on armor, participate in jousting tournaments, shoot from a crossbow. In summer, the courtyard gathers participants of the annual jazz festival.

Clock tower. The history of one of the most beautiful buildings in Vyborg is very interesting. On the site of the tower, in 1498, the construction of a Catholic church in honor of the saints Virgin Mary and Olaf was completed, the natural foundation of which was a granite platform protruding from the ground. In the middle of the 16th century, the temple was expanded and partially reconstructed, and a bell specially cast for this purpose was installed on the attached bell tower. In the second half of the 17th century, after a fire, the building was repaired and completed in the style of Olaf’s tower: an octagonal superstructure was erected on a tetrahedral base. The tower received its current name after the clock was installed on it in 1660.

At the end of the 18th century another fire engulfed the whole of Vyborg. Empress Catherine II allocated money from the state treasury for the restoration of damaged buildings and presented the city with an alarm bell, which was subsequently installed on the tower along with a new clock. Its ringing is still heard over Vyborg today. In 1848, the clock was replaced by adding two more dials.

During the Soviet-Finnish war, the building of the cathedral was destroyed, but the Clock Tower itself miraculously survived. It is located at the address: Krepostnaya Street, 5. Nearby, you can still see the ruined walls of the old Cathedral.

Church of St. Guy atsi nta. Walking from the Clock Tower about a hundred meters along Water Gate Street towards Salakka-Lahti Bay, you can see an interesting building located at an angle, which is surrounded by a low forged lattice. Partially exposed ancient stonework at the base of the building suggests the historical period of its origin. This is the Church of St. Hyacinth, built at the beginning of the 16th century. Initially, the building housed the school of the Franciscan monastery. In the 17th century, after a partial reconstruction, it was used by the noble assembly of Vyborg, having received the name of the Knight’s House. From the beginning of the 19th century, the Catholic Church of St. Hyacinth was located here, which existed until 1940 years old. As a result of the restoration work, the exterior of the Knight’s House was returned to the building, removing all religious superstructures. It currently houses an art gallery. The Church of St. Hyacinth is located at the address: Vodnaya Zastava Street, 3. The fifth house along the same street is a building with a remarkable foundation, which is a granite block rising almost three meters above the ground. It is called that – the House on the rock, built five centuries ago. Most likely, it once belonged to a wealthy merchant.

Market Square. One of the most beautiful squares in Vyborg appeared as a result of the demolition of fortifications at the end of the 19th century. On one side, it is washed by the waters of the Salakka-Lahti bay. The entrance to the building of the Vyborg Market, decorated with a small clock tower, opens on the square. Being built in 1906, it was at that time the largest in Scandinavia.

On the opposite side of the market, a red brick building in the Gothic style attracts attention. It was built just over a century ago. The Vyborg branch of the Bank of Finland was located here. The building is currently occupied by the Education Committee.

Round tower. Of course, the central object of the Market Square is the Round Tower. Built in the middle of the 16th century at a short distance from the main wall, it was intended to strengthen the defense capability of the fortress. Its powerful walls, reaching four meters thick, reliably covered the cannons located on three tiers. After the fall of the fortress in 1710, the tower was renamed Petersburg. Later, it was used both as an armory and as a prison facility.

Due to the unwieldiness of the structure, at the beginning of the 20th century they wanted to demolish the tower, but the Finnish architect Uno Ullberg came up with a way to save this medieval monument by offering to open a restaurant in it. By the way, tourists stop in it if they suddenly get hungry while traveling around the city: the institution is still open.

Town Hall Tower – is another surviving tower that was built in 1470 along with the ramparts and the other nine towers. The building, about ten meters high (excluding the pyramidal roof), consisted of three tiers, the lower of which was equipped with a passage gate, and the walls of the upper two had loopholes. To conduct flanking fire on the enemy storming the fortress wall, the tower stood out from its line. For about two centuries, it reliably hid the defenders of the city, fulfilling its role as a defensive structure. In the middle of the 17th century, after the addition of two tiers, the tower began to play the role of a bell tower.

Bastion Panzerlax . At the end of the 16th century, the fortress was completed on the eastern side, where, moreover, two additional bastions were erected. After that, the fortress was often called Horned: the very new structures located in the corners looked like the horns of a fantastic animal. One of the bastions survived – Panzerlax, which can be reached by moving from the Town Hall tower along Vyborgskaya Street (towards the mainland) to its intersection with P.F. Ladanov Street. After the restoration of the premises of the bastion, which lasted three years, they housed the exhibition center “Hermitage-Vyborg” and the Museum of Archeology – branches of the State Hermitage.

Old Town Hall Square . Main, City, Town Hall, Thorgils Knutsson Square – no matter how they called the cozy and picturesque Vyborg Square. We are talking about the Old Town Hall Square, which is located on the embankment at the beginning of the Fortress Bridge and is the oldest in the city. It has not changed much since its foundation in the 17th century.

A bronze sculpture of Marshal Thorgils Knutsson rises on a pedestal in the center of the square. In one hand, the commander clutches a sword, and in the other he holds a shield on which a lion is depicted. The monument was erected at 1908, and forty years later it was dismantled after long disputes. Found in the basement and restored, the monument “returned” on the seven hundredth anniversary of the founding of Vyborg. As before, the marshal looks across the strait, admiring the castle.

Behind the monument, decorating the square, there is a four-storey building of the former City Hall. Initially, it was a two-story building, erected in 1963 on the site of a burned-out wooden building. Burgomasters and members of the city council (magistrate) met here. During the siege of 1710, the building suffered significant damage, and the magistrate moved to a new building. For two centuries, the former town hall was used for various purposes, and at the end of the 19th century, having received two floors in the Neo-Renaissance style as a result of reconstruction, it was used as the Vyborg Museum of History and Ethnography.

There are two more historic buildings on both sides of the square. One of them is the home of Johan Vekrut, a wealthy mid-18th-century Vyborg businessman, owner of real estate, sawmills, and a small flotilla of merchant ships. The second is the building where the guardhouse of the Vyborg fortress was located in the 18th-19th centuries.

Monument to Peter I . Leading the siege of Vyborg in 1710, Peter I watched the battle from the highest point of the neighborhood – a mountain located on the island of Tverdysh, where the headquarters of the Russian troops was located during the battle. Having decided to perpetuate the centenary of this event, Nicholas II ordered a monument to the great tsar and emperor to be erected here. Standing on a pedestal, Peter I looks towards the Vyborg Castle, meeting the eyes of the Swedish Marshal Knutsson.

In 2010, at the foot of the mountain on Petrovsky Square near the Fortress Bridge leading from the mainland to the island, a monument was erected to Admiral General F. M. Apraksin, who commanded the Russian army that stormed the city. Walking from the monument for about two hundred meters along Petrovsky Street, tourists get to the perfectly preserved Annensky fortifications.

Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral. On Cathedral Square stands a snow-white handsome man with roofs matching the color of the sky – the Transfiguration Cathedral. This is the main Orthodox church of Vyborg and the cathedral, one of the best architectural monuments of the Renaissance, built by order of Catherine II. The famous Russian artist and architect N.A. Lvov was the author of the sketch of the cathedral. Originally a temple, the construction of which ended in 1793, did not have a bell tower, and its role was played by the Clock Tower standing five hundred meters away. And only a century later, a three-tiered bell tower was built, connected to the main building of the cathedral. Almost every tourist who comes to see the sights of Old Vyborg visits the temple, where services are regularly held.

Mon Repos Park. Undoubtedly, the most famous is the only natural rock park Monrepos in Russia. It will enchant you with its unique landscapes that delighted the emperors of Russia and the kings of European states. On the territory of the park there are many architectural monuments, acquaintance with which begins right from the entrance, from the main gate, made in the Gothic style. Special viewing platforms offer stunning views of the Monrepos estate, Zashchitnaya Bay and the majestic rocky island of Ludwigstein reflected in its waters – the necropolis of the barons Nikolai, who founded this wonderful park at the end of the 18th century.

Esplanade Park. Another picturesque park where citizens and tourists love to stroll is the Esplanade Park. It owes its appearance to the expansion of the territory of the growing city, for which in the middle of the 19th century the ramparts were demolished and the ditches of the Horned Fortress were filled up. A park was laid out on the vacant site and more than two hundred trees were planted. Later, fountains appeared here, and the paths of the park were decorated with sculptures, the most famous of which are “Elk” and “Forest Boy”. In the center of one of the alleys you can see the wooden sculpture “Holy Family” – a dried tree trunk with faces carved on it. The Peter and Paul Cathedral is located in the park, and next to it, a bust of Mikael Agricola, a Lutheran bishop and the creator of Finnish writing, is installed on a pedestal.

Lenin’s House Museum is located in a wooden Finnish house of the late 19th century. It was here, in the former working-class suburb of Vyborg – Talikkala, that Lenin hid for two weeks on the eve of the October Revolution of 1917. In the museum you can see the memorial room where Lenin lived, learn about the events of the revolution and the civil war in Vyborg, understand why and how Finland gained state independence. The exposition tells about the life of the “Red Finns” in Soviet Russia after the defeat in the civil war on the example of the fate of the owners of the house, the Haikonen-Latukka family, who not only provided refuge to Lenin, but found themselves in the thick of the revolutionary events of the 20th century. Interactive museum programs introduce the life and culture of the inhabitants of Vyborg in the first half of the 20th century.

Chocolate Museum is a unique place that combines a museum with exhibits of Vyborg sights and a chocolate shop of its own production. You will plunge into the atmosphere of magic and joy, you will be able to look at sculptures, taste the highest quality Belgian chocolate, drink a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate, take part in chocolate art workshops, tasting evenings and themed events! And, of course, to purchase chocolate products made with love by the chocolatier within the walls of the museum!

A. Aalto Library – the central city library of Vyborg, built in 1933-1935 according to the project of the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. The construction of the library began in 1927 with funds bequeathed by the widow of the Vyborg philanthropist Juho Lallukka, a wealthy city dweller Maria Lallukka. On October 13, 1935, its grand opening took place. The library soon became known throughout the world as a reference library building. Here Alvar Aalto was able to take into account all the features important for this field of activity: modes of book storage, features of the work of librarians, and of course the needs of readers. The undulating ceiling of the reading room is unique, which is a distinctive feature of Alvar Aalto’s architectural style. A system of shadow-free lighting of the library, independently developed by him, with the help of funnel-shaped lamps.

The library existed in its original form until 1939. A war broke out between the Soviet Union and Finland, and in 1940 Vyborg was occupied by Soviet troops. In those years, the library was equipped with Swedish, Finnish, German literature, but after the war it turned out to be empty and changed its status, becoming a branch of the State Public Library. Saltykov-Shchedrin. Her collections were replenished with books in Russian, which are still preserved in the funds. In 1944, Vyborg again became part of the Soviet Union, and the library was abandoned for a long time. In order for local residents to be able to use the services of the library again, its reconstruction was required, the money for which appeared only in 19In 1954[2], restoration work was carried out in the library. But the lack of original drawings and necessary materials from the restorers did not allow to restore this building in its original form. In 1961, the library reopened to visitors, but changed its name to the Central City Library. N. K. Krupskaya. During the years of perestroika, the financing of the library practically ceased. But thanks to the opening of several branches of St. Petersburg universities, the circle of readers has expanded significantly. To maintain the existence of the library, a paid subscription had to be introduced, but over time, the need for it disappeared, and the library became free to visit again. At 19In 1998, the library acquired its modern name — Alvar Aalto Central City Library in Vyborg. In addition to architectural features, the library has a unique book collection: for example, the collection of the department of local history literature, which was formed – and continues to be formed – on the basis of a fund donated by the library of the Finnish city of Lappeenranta. These are books about Vyborg and Karelia in Finnish, Swedish, German and other languages. During the years of restoration of the library building, this collection has been replenished with, perhaps, the most complete collection of books in Russia about the work of Alvar Aalto and about the library building itself. Among them, for example, a three-volume book by the biographer Alvar Aalto Goran Schildt with the author’s autograph [3]. Currently, the building of the Alvar Aalto Library has been put under state protection.

Exhibition Center “Hermitage – Vyborg” opened on June 16, 2010 at the initiative of the municipal formation “Vyborgsky District” of the Leningrad Region, the Government of the Leningrad Region and the State Hermitage Museum. As a result of their agreement, the center was created, housed in the historic building of the former Museum of Fine Arts and School of Painting – the creation of the Finnish architect Uno Werner Ulberg. (1930). Thus, this charmingly light, concise and reasonable monument of the era of constructivism has rightly returned the purpose lost in the Soviet period. Once again, the unique complex houses an art museum with collections from the funds of the State Hermitage and a children’s art school under one roof.

The House of the Merchants’ Guild of the Holy Spirit is an old building in the center of Vyborg at the corner of Vyborgskaya Street (house 8) and Novaya Zastava Street, a medieval architectural monument.

The exact date of construction of the house is unknown, but the researchers presumably attribute it to the XIV century. The house was part of a medieval merchant’s estate, which included housing and outbuildings. This stone building, one of the few built before the urban redevelopment carried out in the 1640s, is considered the oldest surviving civil building in Vyborg. Both before and after the redevelopment, it was located in the depths of the site, surrounded by other buildings. A low cube-shaped house with thick walls made of granite boulders, along with a similar burgher’s estate, a townsman’s house and another guild house, is one of the four medieval burgher houses – small private “fortresses” of the XIV-XVII centuries, which can only be seen on the territory of Russia in Vyborg. Initially, the house was two-story: a warehouse of goods was located on the first floor, and the second floor with narrow windows was residential; an external stone staircase led up to it. In the 16th century, the merchant guild of the Holy Spirit acquired the house, and the second floor was used for trade negotiations.

Burger’s Manor – a complex of ancient buildings in the center of Vyborg at the corner of Progonnaya Street (house 7a) and Vodnaya Zastava Street (house 5), a medieval monument of architecture. The estate consists of a three-story townsman’s house and a two-story carriage house. Foundations have been preserved from other buildings. The exact date of construction of the estate is unknown; presumably it belongs to the XVI-XVII centuries. The former home of a wealthy citizen is one of the rare examples of the oldest urban development that took shape before the redevelopment of Vyborg, carried out in the 1640s. Therefore, it is located in the depths of the site, away from the red line of Progonnaya Street. The walls of the tower-type building are made of boulders. The estate was owned by wealthy merchants or artisans. Despite the fact that the building looks impressive, its interior spaces are small in size. The first floor of the fortress house was occupied by a warehouse and a workshop, the second was a meeting room and a small kitchen, and the third was occupied by bedrooms. The windows were originally small in size, but expanded during later reconstructions. At 19In 79, according to the project of the architect M.A. Dementieva, the estate was restored with the aim of stylization in the medieval spirit. The vaulted and wooden ceilings have been recreated in the interiors, the fireplace has been repaired. In addition, the peaked roof was reconstructed, on which a weather vane with the year of restoration was installed. The medieval house of the merchant guild of the Holy Spirit was reconstructed in a similar way. Stables and carts were located in the carriage house located next to the townsman’s house, as evidenced by the gate with forged details. The second floor was occupied by utility rooms for storing hay and equipment; a wide balcony with access to the hillside was used to load inventory and hay. Currently, the estate houses a tourist information center with a museum exposition and a restaurant. A similar house of a city dweller on Krepostnaya Street is still residential.

Tram-monument is a recreated tram car installed as a monument in the center of Vyborg in the park on Teatralnaya Square in memory of the tram traffic that existed from 1912 to 1957. The idea of ​​installing a tram in Vyborg as a landmark was discussed for a long time time.