The square takes its name from the large collection of historic ship anchors discovered during the area's original paving.
The central monument to Admiral Makarov was unveiled in 1913 in the presence of Tsar Nicholas II.
Underneath the square lies a complex of historic drainage channels and vaults connected to the adjacent dockyard.
The square's granite pavement includes historical engravings that mark the locations of various naval headquarters.
It is the site of the Eternal Flame, which commemorates the victims of the Kronstadt Rebellion and revolutionary conflicts.
The Naval Cathedral on the square was designed by Vasily Kosyakov in a Neo-Byzantine style inspired by Hagia Sophia.
Yakornaya Ploshchad, or Anchorage Square, serves as the historic and geographic center of Kronstadt, located on Kotlin Island. The site is anchored by the Naval Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, which dominates the surrounding urban landscape. Its surface is paved with granite blocks, housing a central monument to Admiral Makarov and various military memorials. The square historically functioned as the central hub for the Russian Imperial Navy's Baltic Fleet operations. It sits atop a historic canal system that separates the square from the former Peter the Great Dockyard. Several commemorative plaques and anchors are embedded directly into the paving, referencing the naval heritage of the island. The site is a protected cultural heritage area, acting as the primary venue for military parades and commemorative naval events. The layout remains largely unchanged from its 19th-century military design, preserving its role as a memorial center.
From the steps of the Naval Cathedral looking out across the square toward the Admiral Makarov monument.
Walk the full perimeter to see the inscribed memorial stones embedded in the ground.
Bring a windbreaker, as the square is exposed to strong Baltic winds from the Gulf of Finland.
Combine your visit with the neighboring Kronstadt dockyards to understand the site's engineering history.
Do not overlook the smaller plaques in the ground, as many tourists focus only on the large cathedral and the central statue.
Respectful behavior is expected as the site contains memorial markers and functions as a commemorative space.
