IT and Culture: Multifunctional information center to be set up in “Oreshek” Fortress

In 2011 within the framework of the “Castle to Castle” project the State Museum of the History of St. Petersburg received a grant for foundation of a multifunctional information center in “Oreshek” Fortress of Shlisselburg – the branch of the State Museum of the History of St. Petersburg. The opening of the center is due in 2014.

“Castle to Castle” project is running as a part of the Russian-Finnish Cultural Forum. The purpose of the project is to bring together castles and fortresses of the Northwest of Russia and Southeast of Finland in a common international cultural and tourism network. In Russia and in Finland the project has involved museum workers, representatives of tourism industry, members of historical clubs and societies. The State Museum of the History of St. Petersburg, which includes two fortresses – Peter and Paul Fortress and Shlisselburg “Oreshek” Fortress, joined the “Castle to Castle” project in 2000.

One of the highlights of work is establishment of the electronic database of castles and fortresses that will give access to materials on history, culture and tourism and other information resources. Staff members of museums-fortresses, museums-castles, representatives of travel agencies, and individual entrepreneurs will be free to make use of the database in order to create new products and services in tourism industry. Available on the Internet, the information database will promote the development of individual tourism.

One of the elements of the cultural and tourism information network will become a center in “Oreshek” Fortress.

Today “Oreshek” Fortress is one of the most attractive sites of cultural tourism of the Northwest of Russia. Foundation of the multifunctional information center at the facility of the fortress will contribute to popularization of this unique historical and architectural complex, and provide greater comfort to museum’s visitors.

Apart from the information on “Oreshek” Fortress the information center will offer access to virtual expositions, electronic publications, programs of cultural events and tourism services provided at fortresses and castles of the Northwest of Russia and the Southeast of Finland, participants of “Castle to Castle” project.

The Multifunctional information center of “Oreshek” Fortress will be opened in its Head and Royal Towers.

All information available in “Oreshek” Fortress information center will be also offered on Internet and in other such information centers in Russia and Finland.