The Peter and Paul Fortress
This fortress that gave a birth to the future capital of the Russian Empire is situated in the historical center of the city. It was founded in 1703 in the strategic place, where the Neva divides into 2 spill-streams, so invaders could not show up without being noticed.
During this tour you will have an opportunity to stroll around the cobble-stoned square of the XIX century, right there the founder of the city and the first Russian emperor, Peter the Great, was walking himself. You will visit the Peter and Paul Cathedral – the highest building in the city, even nowadays. This cathedral was built in the style of Peter Baroque and houses the remains of almost all the Russian tsars, starting with Peter the Great and ending with Nicholas II and his family.
There are many interesting erections at the territory of the Peter and Paul Fortress, we will show you Saint-Petersburg Mint, that has been functioning for over 3 centuries; how and where the fortress’s superintendent lived; we will tell you the reason why the Nevsky Gates used to be called “The Gates of Death”, and we will acquaint you with the “grandfather of the Russian Navy”.
If you wish, you can also visit the prison of the fortress, the first person incarcerated there was the son of Peter I — Alexei, charged in the betrayal, and later there were imprisoned ‘progressive minds’ of Russia, including a famous novelist – Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and other remarkable history-makers.
In conclusion we will demonstrate you one unusual monument that keep on being debatable by guides.
