Peter and Paul Fortress
Peter and Paul Fortress, Military fortress on Zayachy Island, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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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Peter and Paul Cathedral
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29 m
Grand Ducal Burial Vault
66 m
St. Catherine's Chapel
82 m
State Museum of the History of Saint Petersburg
65 m
Nevsky Gate in Peter & Paul Fortress
102 m
Boat House
117 m
Commandant's House
66 m
1988 Library of the USSR Academy of Sciences fire
79 mTo the Alpinists of sieged Leningrad
98 m
Carriage house (Peter & Paul Fortress)
126 m
Commandant Cemetery
48 m
Historic centre of Saint Petersburg
49 mНевская куртина
95 mНевская панорама
102 mWrought iron sundial
100 mTree of love
74 mЛев
85 mЛев
80 m12 chairs
74 mNaryshkin Bastion
144 mScenic viewpoint
98 mCannon
163 mCannon
163 mCannon
160 mCannon
158 mCannon
155 mАльпинистам - защитникам блокадного Ленинграда
89 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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