Vyborg Castle stands on a small island in the bay, connected to the town by a bridge, and is the most recognisable landmark in the city. The Swedish-built fortress dates from 1293, and the Tower of St. Olav — the main keep — was raised to its present height in the 16th century. The tower offers the best views over the town, the bay, and on clear days the surrounding archipelago.
The castle now houses a local history museum with exhibits covering the Swedish, Russian, Finnish, and Soviet periods of the city's past — a complicated story that is better told here than anywhere else in Vyborg. The courtyard holds summer concerts and events. The walk across the bridge from the market square takes five minutes.