LIFE GOES ON
BY POLINA LESNIKOVA | March 29, 2019
“As soon as the Clock Tower is restored, the life of the city will improve,” says a folk’s belief. Well, the wait remains, it seems, not for long. The protective grid slowly begins to descend from the roof of the Clock Tower of the city of Vyborg. Urgent work on the preservation of the sights began at the end of 2014. Since that time, the medieval building was closed with wooden beams from the attentive eyes of residents and tourists, and then completely hidden behind a blue fence and tape.
The Clock Tower is one of the most famous landmarks of Vyborg. And it is not surprising, because it is a significant element of the history of our city. The lower tier was built in 1494! Initially, the tower was the bell tower of the Vyborg Cathedral. After installing the clock in 1660, it officially became a Clock Tower. However, not only the medieval building attracts tourists. Some people want to listen to the sound of the embattled bell with an inscription, which Catherine II presented to the city. After reconstruction it will be possible again.
At the moment, most of the restoration work has already been carried out: wood and masonry has been restored, the roof and spire have been repaired. According to Vladimir Tsoi, director of the Vyborg Museum-Reserve, the first tourists will not only be able to see the tower without scaffolding this year, but also climb it: “Upon completion of the restoration works, the Vyborg Museum-Reserve people plan to organize limited access to the observation deck of the Clock Tower «.
On March 12, an important event took place in the fate of the tower — the governor of the Leningrad Region set a clock repaired by Ivan Pershin, the student of the Institute of Culture.
Many people consider the Clock Tower a symbol of life for Vyborg. If it is true or not, and what will change after the complete liberation of the sights from the protective grid — we will know very soon.
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