Envision Peter the Great selecting this very spot. He chose Hare Island to build the Peter and Paul Fortress. Why this island? It sits at the Neva River’s widest point.
The Peter and Paul Fortress became St. Petersburg’s first structure. Its construction began in May 1703. This date marks the city’s birth. The fortress was built to defend against Swedish attacks. Russia and Sweden were at war. It is interesting that the Peter and Paul Fortress never saw battle. The Swedes were defeated before reaching St. Petersburg.
Later, the Peter and Paul Fortress was rebuilt in stone. It became a garrison and a prison. High-ranking prisoners were held here. Prince Peter Kropotkin, Dostoevsky, and Trotsky were among them. The most military action occurred during the October Revolution. In 1917, the Bolsheviks took the Peter and Paul Fortress. By 1924, it was converted into a museum.
Look up at the Peter and Paul Cathedral. It stands tall within the fortress. Peter the Great and other Russian leaders are buried here. The cathedral’s bell tower reaches 122.5 meters. That is about 402 feet. A gilded angel sits on top. Peter I wanted this church taller than the Kremlin bell tower. For many years, it was the tallest building in Russia.
Notice the iconostasis. It is designed like a triumphal arch. The Peter and Paul Cathedral is a monument to Russia’s military glory. Banners and keys from conquered cities were kept here.
Before Peter, monarchs were buried in Moscow. But Peter and Paul Cathedral became the new burial place. The first burial was Peter’s daughter Natalia. In 1998, Nicholas II and his family were reburied here. The Grand Duke’s Mausoleum is also nearby.
Consider the Peter and Paul Fortress as a prison. It held political prisoners for centuries. Peter the Great’s son, Alexei, was imprisoned here. The Decembrists were also held here. Lenin’s brother, Alexander Ulyanov, was among them. Despite its grim history, the Peter and Paul Fortress wasn’t as brutal as legends suggest. Prisoners had access to luxuries like tobacco and books.
Pay attention to the cannon shot. Every day at noon, a cannon fires from Naryshkin Bastion. This tradition dates back to Peter the Great. It once signaled the start and end of the workday. Now, it marks midday. During floods, a volley would warn residents. In 1917, a shot signaled the start of the Winter Palace storming.
Walk along the sandy beach. It sits under the fortress walls. Sunbathers enjoy views of Vasilyevsky Island and the Hermitage. Sand and ice sculpture festivals are often held here.
Listen for the carillon music. The Peter and Paul Fortress is known for its bell organ. The first carillon had 35 bells. Peter the Great brought it from Holland. The current one has 51 bells. Carillon music festivals and concerts are held here.
Today, the Peter and Paul Fortress is a UNESCO monument. It is part of the Museum of the History of St. Petersburg. You can also find museums of artillery and cosmonautics here. This fortress encapsulates St. Petersburg’s turbulent history. A visit here is a must for any history enthusiast.