Between Baltiyskaya and Narvskaya metro stations, a cluster of red-brick buildings lines the Obvodny Canal. This is the Red Triangle — Russia's oldest rubber factory, founded in the 1860s. The plant closed in the 2000s and the site has been slowly transforming ever since: part ruin, part art quarter, part mystery.
What's there now
Several refurbished buildings host artist studios, ceramics workshops and rehearsal spaces. The tenant mix changes, so check ahead if you want to visit a particular studio. Pop-up exhibitions and markets happen occasionally.
Much of the complex remains abandoned. Floors have collapsed, roofs are open to the sky, and entering derelict buildings is both illegal and dangerous. The exterior views are dramatic enough without going inside.
How to get in
The easiest entrance is from the Obvodny Canal embankment, through an archway opposite Baltiysky railway station. Access to the grounds is free. Individual buildings are open only during events or by arrangement with tenants.
For photography, the exteriors deliver: brick arches, factory chimneys, and street art cover every wall. No special permission is needed to walk between the buildings and shoot.
Getting there
From Baltiyskaya metro, walk along the canal — the brick chimneys are hard to miss. By car, park on Staro-Petergofsky Prospekt or along the embankment.
Who should skip it
There is no signage, no seating, no toilets. Muddy after rain, icy in winter. Not suitable for pushchairs or heels. If you want a polished industrial space with cafés, try Sevcabel Port or New Holland instead.
What's nearby
Baltiysky station sends suburban trains to Peterhof and Oranienbaum. The Narva Triumphal Gate and Olympia garden are within walking distance. You can choose an excursion covering industrial St Petersburg to continue to the Kirov Works and Putilov Church.
Verified 23 October 2026
Plan your visit in advance and check the official website for updates and ticket availability before heading out.
Cover photo: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use my photos, but please me, CC BY-SA 3.0, Викисклад
