The Final Resting Place of the Tsars
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Our first stop on our organized tour was Peter and Paul Fortress and Peter and Paul Church, with its 400 foot spire, where so many of the Tsars/Emperors are buried. Here we saw the place where the remains of the last Tsar, Nicolas II and his wife Alexandra and their children (the son, Alexei, and the 4th daughter whose remains have recently been discovered are soon to be interred here) are buried. The bright green interior is startling and is highlighted by the sumptuous gold of the altars.
From journal Cruise to the Baltic States and St. Petersburg
Best of IgoUgoPeter and Paul Fortress
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Sitting on its own island, the Peter and Paul Fortress has come a long way since its inception by Peter the Great in 1703. On one particularly warm and sunny April day we found that the fortress had become a place of self-expression and recreation, a far cry from its roots as city garrison and political jail.It’s free to walk around the grounds, which aren’t particularly extensive but definitely pleasant to stroll around considering its proximity to the city centre. The centrepiece of the fortress is the Cathedral. The brilliance of its golden spire stands out not only against the bare skyline of the north bank, but also within the Neva as it reflects the soaring needle in its waters. At 404 feet, the cathedral is also the highest building...
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From journal St. Petersburg in all its Faded Glory
Best of IgoUgoA visit to the final Resting Place of the Tsars
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The Peter and Paul fortress on Hare Island marks the birthplace of St. Petersburg in 1703 and is one of the most interesting places to visit as so much history is packed on that small island.
It was here that Peter I decided to build the military fortification that would protect his new “Window to the West” and prevent the Swedish Navy from carrying out further raids on the interior of Russia. The fortress walls are well maintained and the Sword Gate entrance to the inside of the fortress is well worth examination. Be aware that on the appointed hour of noon everyday the salute cannon is fired, and if you are anywhere near the gun the boom is over whelming.
Attractions inside include the statue of Peter I presented by the Russian...
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From journal St. Petersburg revisited 2003
Best of IgoUgoPeter and Paul Fortress
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Peter and Paul Fortress is the place in which most of St. Petersburg is centered. The Fortress was built originally to protect land from the Swedes. However, the Swedes were beaten before the fortress was completed. There were so many things to do and see here! In the center of the fortress stands the SS Peter and Paul Cathedral. It is here that every Tzar from Peter the Great to Alexander III are buried except for Nicholas II. The interior of the Cathedral is absolutely amazing. One of the first you see when you walk in the front are the tombs of Peter the Great and Catherine I. Everything in this Cathedral resembles royalty in the highest form. As you move through the Cathedral you will approach something like a coin museum of some type....
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From journal The Mysterious Land of Russia: St. Petersburg
Best of IgoUgoPeter and Paul Fortress
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We arrived at the Peter & Paul Fortress shortly before the daily cannon shot was fired. Interestingly, the 1703 Fortress was never tested in battle. Its first prisoner was Peter the Great's own son, Alexis, who became a tool of opposition to his father. He died in the fortress.
The main feature of the Fortress is the Cathedral of S/S Peter & Paul, dominated by its tall spire, a landmark of St. Petersburg. The original wooden spire was damaged in a storm. A volunteer was sought to repair it at the risk of his life, using only a rope. A roofer offered his services. He was rewarded w/ a "golden goblet", along w/ free drinks @ any inn in the country. As a result, legend has it, he soon drank himself to death.
My favorite...
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From journal St. Petersburg--A Window on Europe
Peter and Paul Fortress
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This is where St. Petersburg was born. As the story goes...on 16 May 2025 Peter the Great tore up two pieces of sod, laid them in a cross and proclaimed, "The city will lie here." And so it did. In actual fact, Peter wasn't even there, but it makes for a good story.
This place takes a long time to get through--I think it'd take a good day to get through. The maps are really confusing and it's hard to find your way around.
The absolute coolest part was that Nicolas II's tomb is located there, but at the time I was there, it was "closed for renovations" (you'll hear that a lot in Russia). But I was told it would be open by August 2000. Many of the other Romanoff's have been laid to rest there.
I would recommend taking the Metro and...
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From journal Studying Abroad in Peter
Peter and Paul Fortress
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This fortress was the first building built in St. Petersburg. It is situated on the Sayachiy (Hare) island and the top of the main Cathedral of the fortress can be seen from the city centre. All Russian emperors are buried here.
From journal The city of marvelous nights
Best of IgoUgoPeter and Paul Fortress
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Open: 11 am - 5 pm, closed Wednesday and last Tuesday of the month.
This fortress is located right on the bank of the Neva river and you can still see on the wall facing the river the marks of the water levels in the city when the city was flooded in the 19th century. Now the river is taken into channels and its level does not increase as significantly as it did back then. The fortress used to be a political prison during the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. This was the place of imprisonment of the Decembrists (dekabrists - in Russian). Decembrists were Russian nobles who in December of 1825 organized a revolt against the tzar Nicolas I. They basically didn't want anybody to be poor. The revolt was overturned, 5 leaders...
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From journal Travels to Russia - St Petersburg
Best of IgoUgoThe Peter and Paul Fortress
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Peter I began the construction of his new capital on Hare Island in order to deny Swedish ships access to his envisioned new city. There are several gates that are remarkable for their military construction and Peter's Gate is the first you will see on your way into the fortress. Once inside you have many things to look forward to seeing. You can walk out one gate and see the city across the Neva in all its glory. On a clear day with the sun shining brightly, this is a sight that is hard to beat.
The Peter and Paul Cathederal is the burial place for the Romanovs. Even the son of Peter I, the Tsarevich Alexei, who was executed in his prison cell, is buried there. The chapel is beautiful and worth a trip all by itself. ...
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From journal Culture and Art tour of St. Petersburg
Peter and Paul Fortress
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The fortress was built in 1703 as a fortress against attack from the Swedes by orders of Peter the Great. It's history as a prison is what makes it interesting with prisoners such as Gorky and Trotsky. The Peter and Paul Cathedral is the oldest stone building in the town. The Cathedral is the burial place of all Russian emperors and empresses including Peter I.
From journal Sites of St. Petersburg, Russia