Narva Putin Has Sights On It

A visit to where Russia have NATO in their sights making Narva A Putin Target.
This small Baltic city could well find it centre stage in President Putin’s plans to provide a pre-planned prick in the NATO’s defensive arm.
With just a fast flowing river as dividing line between Estonia and Russia, Narva which has a 90% Russian speaking population makes it a candidate for social and general media manipulation.

Narva A Putin Target

Having visited this border city fairly recently. It is complete with razor wire, warning signs and a multiplicity of metal fences you certainly know you are at a meeting of different mindsets.

Friendship Bridge crossing. The town of Narva in Estonia is a border crossing point directly into Russia

News that Russia is pushing a social media message that there is mass support within the area for the ‘Russian Bear’ state.
Narva residents do see clues day to day that standards of life in the Estonian sector are better than those across the river to the East.
Calling it the ‘Narva Republic’ the Russians hope to create a narrative that would give them a reason to make an incursion in support of their Russian brothers and sisters?

But what of the city itself and people?
A pair of hands waving from behind coils of razor wire was a sign of friendship that greeted me at the Russian border.
The young family who had caught sight of me on the Estonian side seemed even more delighted when I waved back from the other side of the river in the border town of Narva.
The city is split by the River Narva.

Two Castles Of Narva

Its two castles one on each side.
Certainly in terms of height the Estonian or Hermann Castle does tower over the other. And I can support that with the sheer number of stair cases I climbed in order to test that claim!

Hermann Castle Narva …A Putin Target too?

On the Russian side is the Ivangorod Castle.  And not to be outdone they had a solution to help reduce any Estonian advantage.

On the Russian side is the Ivangorod Castle.

They did this by building a huge curtain wall across the centre of theirs. This then reduced the visibility from the Estonian side so in sporting terms perhaps it is a draw?
Today the Hermann Castle is a very popular tourist destination in the town. It provides as it did in the past magnificent views over to its almost twin yet rival castle.

Statue of Lenin looking towards Russian border from Estonia City of Narva in Estonia.

This unique view with two castles almost side by side. Is a real treat.
Hermann Castle houses an informative series of historical displays and general information about it and Narva. The castle also often features seasonal displays, as well as excellent permanent ones.
Narva was once a producer and weaver of cotton probably one of the largest such factories in the world.
Touring the extensive site where once the diverted waters of the Narva flowed in order to power the huge sheds of looms that were once its name to fame.
The cotton mills at Narva were all part of a huge textile community factory for workers. Housing schools and hospital.

Narva King Cotton 

Kreenholm district was almost a town within a city. However, Kreenholm Island is located in a restricted area and can only be accessed as part of a tour.

Tour Guide to Kreenholm island. It sits in the Narva River. Once home to the world’s largest cotton spinning mill.

Pointing out key areas as the the giant buildings come into close up inspection.

On an island in the Narva River, and between two waterfalls it was once largest textile factory in Europe.  And whose red brick buildings built in the English-style of architecture.

Water flow control on River Narva.

During levels of high river water it is released through the mill turbines, and then the Narva Waterfalls come to life.

Workers there produced cotton fabrics of high quality which were awarded a Grand Prix at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900.

A complex of water channels and canals were used to power to this former whole industrial area from the water falls built in the river.

Kreenholm Water Powered Factory

Today tour guides on Sundays can show you around this unique area.

However, Kreenholm Island is located in a restricted area and can only be accessed as part of a tour.

Kreenholm Islandformer cotton mill.

Pointing out key areas as the the giant buildings come into close up inspection.
As Narva is only 84 miles from one of Russia’s key cities and port St Petersburg.  That overall potential pressure does seem to feel omni-present!

The river as well as separating two countries does somehow unite people living on the different banks.

Fishing on the River Narva with Russian supervision.

Fishermen and it did seem to be all men who were on both sides of the river fishing and often in it too.
One angling situation was three boats anchored in the river on the Estonian side.

Fishing under the Friendship Bridge from the Russian side

As a small Russian coastguard patrol boat was also anchored on the Russian side. And was no doubt keeping an eye of fellow anglers.
One plucky Russian was standing in the river directly beneath the Friendship Bridge concentrating on his fishing line, but very firmly remaining on the Russian side.

Road Border. The town of Narva in Estonia is a border crossing point directly into Russia.

One question I pondered to myself. What happens if a Russian catches a fish from the Estonian side and vice versa. Do they have to put it back?
Narva can be reached by modern new trains in two hours from the capital Tallinn and about the same time by road too.

Narva A Frontline NATO Target

Friendship Bridge crossing when it was open for traffic.

It appears that pedestrians can still cross the friendship bridge but vehicles have to divert well south to Koidula and Luhamaa for some 3 to 4 hours and where vehicle crossing are down some 20%.

When there is thawing of relations with the Russian State then there would certainly be another and second good reason to take a tour to Narva.
And perhaps those waving hands could be turned into shaking hands?