The Peter and Paul Fortress is the historical center of Saint Petersburg. It occupies the central place in the panorama of the city: located on the territory of the fortress the Peter and Paul Cathedral with its long belfry is one of the main features of Petersburg. The silhouette of the Peter and Paul Fortress is a remarkable landmark of the city.
The fortress, the first building of the new city, was founded in order to protect the area regained during the Northern War from possible attacks by Swedish troops. Peter I himself chose Zayachii (Hare) Island as a site for the fortress construction. Located near the Neva River's fork, the place was perfect for founding the defensive constructions. The fortress, called Saint Petersburg in honor of Saint Peter, was founded on the 16th of May (27, New Style), 1703 on Zayachii Island. This date is recognized as the birthday of the city, which was rapidly developing under protection of the fortress.
The fortress was constructed according to the plan, developed by Peter I. The shape of the island defined the shape of the fortress, which was designed as an elongated hexagon with six projecting bastions, connected by curtain walls. The first defensive constructions were made of timber and earth, but in 1706 the construction works of stone buildings started. The building of the new fortress was done under supervision of architect Tresini. He designed majority of the fortress constructions, including the gala gates for the entrance to the fortress territory shaped as the triumphal arch. The gates are decorated with sculptural relief by Osner called the Precipitation of Simon the Magos by Apostle Peter, symbolizing the victory of Russia over Sweden. The niches are decorated with statues of the goddess of war Belona and goddess of wisdom Minerva.
Majority of the buildings of the Peter and Paul Fortress were put up in several stages. The composition of the fortress contains many constructions that were designed by a few generations of architects, but still it strikes as a single whole.
The Peter and Paul Fortress was put up for fortification purposes; however, it had never been used as such. Beginning from 1718, it was turned into a prison for political convicts. One of them was Tsarevitch Alexey, the son of Peter I, who was against the politics of his father. In the prison of the Peter and Paul Fortress was confined the famous princess Tarakanova, who claimed to be the daughter of Empress Elizabeth and hoped to ascend the Russian throne. At the end of the 19th - the beginning of the 20th centuries the Trubezkoi bastion was turned into prison for revolutionists, who criticized the absolute monarchy of Russian Empire. It was impossible to escape the prison: during the whole period of the prison existence nobody managed to escape it. In the prison, there were 69 solitary cells of identical size and interior. The total area of each cell equaled 22 square meters. The scanty furniture included a metal table, chair, bed, fixed to the floor, and an oil lamp. In 1904, the prison was electrified. It happened after suicide of one of the female prisoners, who poured herself with oil and set on fire. Among the prisoners of the Peter and Paul Fortress was the elder brother of Vladimir Ulianov-Lenin - Alexander, Maxim Gorky, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Nikolay Chernishevsky and others. In 1925, the prison was turned into museum.
The special place in the fortress ensemble belongs to the Cathedral of Peter and Paul. It was built in 1713-1733 by Tresini design on the place of wooden church, founded in honor of apostles Peter and Paul. The cathedral is decorated with gilded spire 122,5 meters high, topped with the weather vane shaped as an Angel, who is said to watch over and protect the city. The interior of the cathedral reminds the royal gala halls. The marble painted pylons divide the space of the cathedral into three naves. The wall paintings are made by Matveev, Gzel and other well-known artists. The delicate iconstand, decorated with gold, is the masterpiece of baroque art. It was designed by architect Zarydniy in 1722-1729.
The Peter and Paul Cathedral served as the burial place for the Russian Emperors and the closest members of their families. The founder of Saint Petersburg, Peter the Great, is buried near the south wall of the cathedral. The tomb-stones of Alexander II and his wife attract the attention, as they differ from the other tomb-stones of the cathedral. They are made of jasper and rhodonite, while all the tomb-stones of other Emperors are made of white Carrara marble. The tombs of the ruling tsars are marked with double-headed eagles. The last burial ceremony took place in the cathedral in summer of 1998, 80 years after assassination of the last Russian Tsar Nicolas II, his wife Alexandra Fedorovna, their children and servants. They are buried in the Catherine chapel of the Peter and Paul Cathedral.
Among other constructions of the Peter and Paul Cathedral are the Boat House, intended for preserving the small boat that Peter I used to play with as a boy. The boat is known as a grandfather of Russian navy. Nowadays in the house there is a model of the boat. The unique monument of industrial architecture is the Mint, founded in 1724. It was the place where coins and many stamping works of art were produced. Today the mint still functions. The Boat House and some of the other buildings of the Peter and Paul Fortress contain rich collections of the museum of Saint Petersburg history.