Russian sailing ship Kruzenshtern heads for native harbor

12.04.2010 Russian bark Kruzenshtern has completed friendly visit to the port of Havana and Saturday evening headed home, informs RIA Novosti.

The legendary ship sailed off Havana harbor to the accompaniment of "nine o'clock cannon-shot" which is the ritual originated in colonial epoch; at that time fire of a gun meant closing of town gate and Havana harbor.

Gunfire is carried out daily at 9 pm in the fort named San Carlos de la Cabana and located nearby Havana harbor entrance. In such moments the fort is always crowded, since young and old locals, numerous tourists and foreigners working in Cuba come to watch the ceremony.

In Saturday much more crowded was Malecon esplanade which opens up a picturesque scene of the fort and harbor. Many residents of the capital city including Russian people living in Havana came at the port to see off the Russian bark.

"It is a very beautiful ship. Hope some day this sailer will show here again", said elderly Cuban woman came with her granddaughter to watch Kruzenshtern.