In March 2026, guided tours began on the grounds of the former ‘Crosses’ Prison (known in Russian as Kresty) pre-trial detention center on Arsenalnaya Embankment. This is a rare chance to see the historic prison complex in its original state before reconstruction starts in the fall. The organizers offer routes through the territory and key buildings of the former facility, focusing on its history and the stories of notable people connected with it.
Visit Before Reconstruction Begins
The tours are organized by the Lev Lurie Cultural Center in partnership with the KVS Group, the current owner of the site. Experienced guides lead the routes, drawing on accounts from writers, poets, and public figures from different eras.
The duration is about 1.5–2 hours, and groups are small. Tours run on weekends and select weekdays from March through September 2026 (exact dates are published in advance on the official website).
Tickets are priced above the usual range for tours in Russia: 4,300 rubles, available online through the Lev Lurie Cultural Center. However, all March dates have already sold out due to high demand. Visitors are encouraged to submit a request to be notified when new dates for April and later months become available. It’s recommended to check the website a day before ticket sales open.
The History of Kresty Prison
The complex was built between 1884 and 1892, designed by architect Antoni Tomishko in an eclectic brick style. It was named after the cross-shaped layout of its two main buildings. The prison opened in 1893 as a facility of single cells, with roughly one thousand cells for more than a thousand inmates.
In 1917–1918, it held ministers of the Russian Empire, followed by Bolshevik leaders such as Trotsky and Lunacharsky. In the 1930s, it became a place of detention for victims of political repression, including Zabolotsky, Gumilyov, Zhzhyonov, and Rokossovsky.
The prison survived the Siege of Leningrad and bombings during World War II. Several escapes are known as well, including the famous 1922 escape of Leonid Panteleev.
Kresty became a pre-trial detention center during the Soviet era and was officially closed in 2017, when operations moved to new facilities in Kolpino.
Preservation, Restoration, and Future Plans
After its closure in 2017, the former prison was transferred to DOM.RF company, and in 2025 to KVS-Arsenalnaya. The site received the status of a regional cultural heritage landmark on February 12, 2026, which protects its architecture, layout, and overall structure.
The restoration project by NIIiPI Spetsrestavratsiya was approved in December 2025. The first stage of expert review is scheduled for May 2026, with major construction work planned for fall 2026. The project is expected to take five years, with investments of around 15 billion rubles and the creation of approximately 1,200 jobs.
The future of one of St. Petersburg’s most somber historical sites is envisioned as a mixed-use cultural and hospitality space: 4‑ and 5‑star hotels created from combined former cells, a museum with preserved interiors and multimedia exhibits, a church dedicated to Alexander Nevsky, a gastronomic street, and a riverside promenade with art installations, an underground passage, and a pier. The area will become an open public space for walking and recreation.
