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The Vladivostok fortress, the city’s collection of military batteries, fortifications and bunkers constructed at the turn of the 20th century, and Russia’s unique architectural monument of historical and cultural value, has made it to the finals of the national contest: ‘Russia’s Seven Wonders’.

The fortress was built by Russian military engineers, led by architect Dmitry Karbyshev, to guard the city and the region against Japanese and Chinese intrusions. By 1914, the fortress was comprised of about 50 coast and 21 land batteries, 16 forts, 18 outposts and 18 stations and 23 fortifications. The fortress’ garrison numbered 90,000 people and 1,400 weapons.

Today, the Vladivostok fortress is the only Russian maritime fortress left from the 19th century and included on the UNESCO list of historical sites.

“Our fortress deserves to become one of the country’s seven wonders. It defined the role of Vladivostok and the region as Russia’s military outpost in the Pacific Rim,” Primorye Governor Sergei Darkin was quoted by a press statement from the regional administration as saying.

At the site www.ruschudo.ru visitors can cast their votes to select Russia’s most significant historical, cultural and natural objects.

Meanwhile, according to Darkin, the fortress’ reconstruction is to be included on the list of renovation plans for the 2012 APEC summit in Vladivostok.

“The fortress needs reconstruction, and it is necessary to renovate it in order to make it more attractive for tourists and to preserve its historical importance,” Darkin was quoted by the statement as saying.

Over the years, some of the fortress’ buildings have been vandalized, scrapped for their metal and have suffered other damage. In mid February, unidentified vandals destroyed metal structures at Fort No. 2. In July 2005, the military blew up Fort No.5, detonating old explosive shells inside the historic construction. According to Darkin, much attention will be paid to restoring cultural objects in Vladivostok and Primorye this year.

Along with the Vladivostok fortress, the other finalists from Russia’s Far East include the Valley of Geysers, Kluchevskaya Sopka volcano and Avachinsky Bay on the Kamchatka peninsula, and the diamond mine in Mirny, Yakutia.

The final results of the voting will be announced on June 12, 2008 by the national RTR television channel when Russia celebrates its Independence Day.