Alekseevskiĭ ravelin, Military fortification in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Alekseevskii ravelin is a triangular fortification of the Peter and Paul Fortress with thick stone walls and strategic positions overlooking the Neva River. The structure contains visible casemates, three ramps for artillery movement, and granite-faced walls on the river side.
Built between 1733 and 1740 under military engineer Burkhard Christoph von Münnich, the fortification was designed to protect the Vasilievsky Gates and two bastions. It was later converted to serve as a prison facility during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The fortification takes its name from a Russian saint and still conveys its former use as a detention facility through visible casemates and stone chambers. Visitors can sense this history through the preserved architectural elements and layout designed for confinement.
The site is best reached on foot as it sits within the fortress complex and is accessible to visitors during regular visiting hours. The steps and ramps require moderate physical activity, especially when conditions are wet or snowy.
Two stone dams with towers and palisades blocked ships from entering the moat through underwater arches that controlled water flow. This defense design cleverly combined water management with fortification in a single structure.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
