Ust-Izhora

Ust-Izhora ( _ru. Усть-Ижо́ра) is situated at the confluence of River Izhora into River Neva, approximately halfways between Saint Petersburg and Schlisselburg, Russia, some 30 km from both the Gulf of Finland in the west and Lake Ladoga in the north-east. Administratively, it is a municipal settlement under jurisdiction of Kolpinsky District of Saint Petersburg. Population: 1,152 (2002 Census).

The settlement is believed to mark the location of the Battle of the Neva (July 15, 1240), when weak forces led by Prince Alexander Yaroslavich of Novgorod defeated the Swedes here, and prevented them from advancing farther south into Ingria. The chronicles tell of a "great battle," in which Alexander's men stormed and sank three Swedish ships, and Alexander himself wounded Birger, the Swedish commander.

Following this victory on the Neva, the prince was renamed Alexander Nevsky. The Russian Orthodox Church eventually canonized him, and he is now the patron saint of Saint Petersburg. A church was built on the bank of the Neva in 1799 to commemorate the famous battle. Close by the church are two monuments honoring Alexander Nevsky, in whose memory the church is dedicated.

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