COVER N. 765 - RUSSIA

Postmark: ? 16.07.2026 (?)

Posted on 16th July (?);  Received on the 7th September 2026

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Alex sends me a nice 2023 First Day Cover. большое спасибо, Alex.

Integrated in the Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments UNESCO World Heritage Site, Oreshek Fortress is located in Orekhovy Island, where the River Neva meets Ladoga lake, right in front of the town of Shlisselburg, a mere 40 km, as the bird flies from the centre of Saint Petersburg.

The fortress was built in 1323 and on several occasions was disputed and occupied by Sweden until it was finally taken by Peter the Great in 1702.

During World War II, the fortress was heavily damaged by German shelling, and according to Wikipedia, reconstruction is still taken place today.

Celebrating the 700 anniversary of the fortress, Russmarka issued on 24AUG2023 the beautiful single 100 ruble stamp souvenir sheet on the cover, illustrated with an image of the fortification at the golden hour. What I presume to be a tourist ferry can also be seen docked in a pier adjacent to the entrance to the complex. On a ribbon on top of the image there's a legend which I believe reads "Oreshek Fortress 700 Years."

Unfortunately the first day postmark is almost illegible due to lack of contrast with the surface unto which it was applied, by I believe it features the same legend.

The logo for the celebration of the anniversary is also printed on the left of the FDC.

To post the FDC, Alex used a 25 ruble stamp part of a set of  three of identical face value issued on 04JUN1993. The set is dedicated to the Novgorod Kremlin, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and this particular stamp features an illustration of the St. Sophia's Cathedral Bebelfry.