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Dutch frigates bring Peter The Great's replica home to Russia's northern capital

ST.PETERSBURG, September 24 (Itar-Tass) - Two Dutch Navy frigates docked in St. Petersburgh on Tuesday, bringing a full-size replica of the house Russian Tsar Peter the Great stayed in at Zaandam when learning shipbuilding in Holland in 1697.

The Seven Provinces and the Friesland brought a contingent of marines under the colours of Dutch Navy Commander Vice-Admiral Mattieu Borsboom in a programme of military cooperation between Russia and The Netherlands, spokesman for the Russian Western Military District Oleg Kochetkov told Itar-Tass. The replica is a gift to Russia from the Dutch defence ministry.

A ceremony to present the house, made by Dutch craftsmen, takes place in St. Petersburg on Tuesday night. Packed in five containers, it will be brought to the Kolomenskoye museum park in the south of Moscow, already home to other exhibits dating back to Peter the Great's time.

During their four-day unofficial visit to St. Petersburg, the Dutch marines will take part in an international exhibition and attend other events within the programme of a Year of The Netherlands in Russia, the spokesman said.

On September 25, both vessels will be open for St. Petersburg residents to visit from noon until 6.00pm, the spokesman added.

This is the second visit of Dutch naval ships to Russia this year. In June, the Evertsen frigate and the Dolphin submarine took part in a navy show in St. Petersburg.

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