THE BALTIC PEOVINCES. 



237 



capital of Esthonia, and one of the oldest places in Russia, for it already existed 

 when Waldemar II. of Denmark erected a stronghold here in 1219. It stands 

 on a deep bay sheltered by islands near the north-west corner of Esthonia, 

 between the Baltic and Gulf of Finland, thanks to which position it has become 

 the natural centre of several trade routes. It was one of the first Ilanseatic 

 towns in the Baltic, and during the Swedish rule was at once the chief naval, 

 military, and trading station. At present it is the most convenient of the 

 advanced outlets of St. Petersburg in these waters. By means of the railway 



Fig. 113. — Eevel and Neighbourhood. 

 Scale 1 : 550,000. 



10 Miles. 



skirting the Gulf of Finland the capital is enabled to continue its import traflSc 

 in winter longer than would be possible at Kronstadt. To its custom-house 

 system belongs the still more westerly Baltisch Port, now also connected with 

 it by rail, and thanks to these advantages, as well as to its position over against 

 Helsingfors, capital of Finland, Revel has become the fourth largest seaport in 

 the empire. It is a picturesque place, still partly surrounded by its old walls, 

 defended southwards by lakes and swamps, and adorned by some monuments of 

 the Hanseatic period, notably the halls of the old working guilds. It is over- 

 looked by a castle and a cathedral containing the tombs of several illustrious 



