Peter and Paul Fortress, Military fortress on Zayachy Island, Saint Petersburg, Russia
The Peter and Paul Fortress is a military fortification on Hare Island in central Saint Petersburg, formed by six bastions connected by thick stone walls. A cathedral with a gilded spire rises from the center of the complex, visible across much of the city.
Peter the Great founded the fortress in 1703 to protect the mouth of the Neva River and secure what would become the imperial capital. Over the centuries, it transformed from a military defense into a prison for political prisoners.
The cathedral inside the walls has served as the final resting place for Russian rulers and their families for more than three centuries. Visitors today walk among the graves and witness the golden spire that dominates the island skyline.
Access is via the Ioannovsky Bridge from the mainland, and visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the paths between bastions can be uneven. The site covers a large area, so plan enough time to walk through the main sections.
A cannon fires at noon each day from the Naryshkin Bastion, a tradition begun in 1873 to help ships set their clocks. Locals and visitors still gather to witness the moment of the blast.
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