Here is my photo gallery about some of the fortifications of Vladivostok Fortress. Mostly built just before World War I, it used to be one of the largest coastal fortresses in the world, designed to withstand massive attacks from both sea and land. It was built to protect Russian interests in Far East region, mostly to prevent Japan from invading that distant part of Russian Empire. Due to the interruption by World War I and subsequent October Revolution in Russia it was only completed to about 2/3 of its initial plan. However, even incomplete it was very well fortified. Taking over it would require enormous offensive power, long blockade, and simultaneous assault from both sea and land. Some historians speculate that the fortress was the main reason why Japan never invaded Far East of Russia during World War II, unwilling to take heavy losses which almost certainly would have resulting from such offensive campaign.

With the invention of nuclear weaponry, military fortress importance greatly diminished and nowadays it is partially conserved as historic site and partially abandoned.