The Peter and Paul Fortress
Saint Petersburg - Zayatchy Island (Hare Island)-central
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Walk - About 2 hours - 3€
(ex. suppl.2€)
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A Must |
In about the year 1700, Peter the Great was attempting to gain control of the commercial route between the Black Sea to the south and the Baltic Sea to the north. His victory over Sweden in 1703 gave him a foothold in the Neva estuary. He proceeded to build a capital city in the midst of the marshes, which was to be Saint Petersburg. He immediately needed to protect his position and consequently built the Peter and Paul Fortress on the tiny Zayatchy Island. This fortress therefore represents the very foundation of the city and under its protection, Saint Petersburg grew to fulfil the Tsar’s dream as the window to the West. The history of this citadel is central to the history of the city itself and will help us understand the persistence of its founder, Peter the Great. With this audio guide, we’ll explore its fortified walls and gates, the prison, the mint and of course, the Peter and Paul cathedral which is the burial place of the Romanov dynasty
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Places and topics covered
1 : History of the city and the fortress, 2 : Fortifications, 3 : Statue of Peter the First, 4 : Mint, 5 : Peter and Paul Cathedral (Petrovian Baroque, Tombs of the Romanovs, Iconostasis), 6 : Neva Gate, 7 : Prison
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Informations
Author: Marie Edith
Departure point: St. John Bridge that links Plotchad Troïskaïa or Trinity Square to the fortress
Access: the easiest way is probably to take the metro to Gorkovskaïa station. Its also possible to go by bus numbers 25, 46, and134 will get you there or by tram in which case you need number 2, 6, 26, 31, 34, 53, 54, or 63.
Times: The fortress is open from 11am to 6pm.
Entrance fee: Entry is free, but we will also be visiting the Cathedral and to gain admission to this you’ll need to buy a ticket which also covers entry to the prison and the fortress museums.
Comments: If you go there by the metro, when you come out, you’ll find yourself at the point where Kamennostrovski Prospect meets Konverski Prospect. Turn right into Kamennostrovski Prospect (in the direction of the Neva), and walk for about 5 minutes until you come to Trinity Square. On your right, you should see a wooden bridge leading to the fortress. You can't miss it: the red walls of the fortress are quite visible.
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