Russian Tsar Peter I is known for his large-scale projects, including Saint Petersburg, the Kronshlot fortress on Kotlin Island, and the hydraulic structures of Peterhof. However, few remember the Staroladozhsky Canal, which became the third most complex and expensive construction in Russia. This structure saved many lives, although the exact number is unknown.

Lake Ladoga, often called a small sea, is the largest freshwater lake in Europe. Its depth varies from 20 to 230 meters, and its width reaches 125 kilometers. Due to the climate, storms often rage here, with wind speeds sometimes exceeding 30 m/s. Ladoga remains an important part of the Volga-Baltic route and the White Sea-Baltic Canal. In the era of Peter I, a third of the ships perished in this turbulent sea.

Saint Petersburg particularly suffered from the whims of Lake Ladoga: building materials and goods were lost, and trade with Europe was restricted. After calculating the losses, Peter I signed a decree to construct a bypass canal along the southern shore, connecting the Volkhov and Neva rivers. Narrow and shallow, it stretched over 100 kilometers and became one of the largest hydraulic structures of its time.

The construction was costly, and the tsar imposed a tax on peasants and merchants. Work began in 1719 under the leadership of Grigory Skornyakov-Pisarev. Peter I personally participated in the project, but in 1723 discovered numerous violations. Skornyakov and the contractors were arrested, and the new leader became General Field Marshal Minikh. Peasants, hired workers, and soldiers were involved in the construction.

By 1724, the first section of the canal was opened, but Peter I did not live to see its completion. Under Catherine I, in 1726, a section between the Volkhov and the village of Chernaya was opened, and the canal was fully operational by 1731 under Anna Ioannovna. Ships traveled through the canal by horse-drawn power, while barges were pulled by burlaks. The canal invigorated trade, but soon deficiencies were discovered, necessitating the construction of locks and a new mouth.

In the early 19th century, granite locks and a storage basin were built in Shlisselburg. The canal was equipped with technology, including steam pumps to maintain water levels. At the time of its construction, it was the largest hydraulic structure in Europe.

The canal provided a safe crossing of Lake Ladoga, increasing navigation to 200 days a year. It played an important role in the country's development, but over time the Staroladozhsky Canal could not cope with the flow of ships. In 1861, construction began on the Novoladozhsky Canal, which became wider and deeper.

Today, little remains of the canal, and its bed has almost dried up. In Shlisselburg and Novaya Ladoga, remnants of the canal can still be seen. It is under UNESCO protection, but funds for its maintenance are not allocated, and the canal is gradually deteriorating. The most impressive views are from the Annunciation Cathedral in Shlisselburg, where the old locks, recognized as a federal heritage site, have been preserved.