The cruiser Aurora is permanently docked on the Neva River. It was built in St. Petersburg between 1897 and 1900, took an active part in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 and participated in the Tsusima battle, in which most of Russia's Pacific fleet was destroyed. After the war the ship was used for personnel training and during the October revolution of 1917 gave the signal (by firing a blank shot) to storm of the Winter Palace, which was being used as a residence by the Provisional Government. During World War II and the 900-day Siege of Leningrad the guns of the ship were taken down and used on the front line. After the war the ship was restored and is used as a free museum and training ship for cadets from the nearby Nakhimov Navy School.