Lappeenranta means "Laplanders' shore" in Finnish. Founded in 1649 by Queen Christina of Sweden to fortify the eastern frontiers, the city was first called Vilmanstrand ("wild man's shore"). After the end of the Great Northern War (1701-1721), earthen fortifications were built here, a shaft was sprinkle, and a southern gate was erected. Thus, a town with population of only 300 people and a hundred soldiers acquires an important status of a frontier fortress ("linnotus").
The war with Russia in 1741-43 led to the destruction of the fortress town and the destruction of its inhabitants, after which Vilmanstrand became a Russian provincial town. Suvorov lived there for a time, supervising the construction of garrison buildings in the fortress. Alexander I visited the town in 1803, and in 1885 and 1891 - Alexander III.
From 1819 to 1881, the fortress housed a prison for women convicted of infanticide. Here they had the opportunity to engage in weaving. Then the women's prison was moved to another location and until 1881 men were detained here, and after the Civil War, the "Red" Finns. In memory of those who were shot on northern fortress walls there is a memorial sign.
In the 50s of the twentieth century, the abandoned prison as a result of the reconstruction of the city was dismantled.
