Peter and Paul Cathedral, Eastern Orthodox church in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Peter and Paul Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox church building in the Petrogradsky District of Saint Petersburg, recognizable by its gilded spire rising above the surrounding area. The brick structure displays Petrine Baroque characteristics and reaches a height of 122.5 meters (approximately 400 feet), making it the tallest Orthodox bell tower in the world.
Peter the Great commissioned the construction between 1712 and 1733, deliberately moving away from the traditional onion domes of Russian Orthodoxy. Its completion marked a turning point in Russian religious architecture and introduced Western European design principles to the capital.
The building serves as the resting place for nearly all Russian emperors and their family members, with white marble sarcophagi lining the side aisles. Visitors walk between the tombs and experience dynastic history in a space that feels more like a museum than an active place of worship.
The easiest approach is from Gorkovskaya metro station, a short walk leading to the fortress island. The interior is accessible, though climbing the tower requires a separate ticket and reasonable fitness for the many steps involved.
The carillon in the tower was crafted in the Netherlands and Belgium, performing daily noon melodies that ring across the entire fortress island. Each of the 51 bells carries its own tuning and enables a repertoire ranging from folk music to classical compositions.
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