Title: Peter and Paul Fortress in Petrogradskaya District - Tours and Activities | Expedia.ca [Peter and Paul Fortress Hotels](https://expedia.ca/Peter-And-Paul-Fortress-Hotels.0-l502926-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Peter and Paul Fortress Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Peter-And-Paul-Fortress.d502926.Car-Rental-Guide)[Petrogradskaya District Vacations](https://expedia.ca/Petrogradskaya-District.d6057698.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Peter and Paul Fortress Tours and Activities ![Peter and Paul Fortress featuring a square or plaza and heritage architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/502926/beadf0cc-30bc-4cb3-9e6a-381c6d8ec3f2.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Peter and Paul Fortress featuring a square or plaza and heritage architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/502926/beadf0cc-30bc-4cb3-9e6a-381c6d8ec3f2.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Peter and Paul Fortress showing a ferry and a river or creek](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/502926/49289d7f-0df3-4645-bd81-1a0e4dfe6f0c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Peter and Paul Fortress which includes a square or plaza and heritage architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/502926/50504f2a-9488-47a9-ad88-6b2415dfbb92.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Peter and Paul Fortress showing heritage architecture, a castle and a church or cathedral](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/502926/24133ed4-492f-45a1-bfdf-a2d959638bbd.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Peter and Paul Fortress Activities --- --- #### The fortress that founded St. Petersburg, this building is full of interesting and intriguing tales from the depths of history. The Peter and Paul fortress is immediately recognizable thanks to its needle-like spire rising up into the St. Petersburg sky. However, its distinctive story also attracts visitors. Enter into its interior and find out more about its various purposes over the years. It was originally intended to defend the city from the Swedes, but Peter the Great managed to defeat the Swedish opposition before the building was finished. Since then, the fortress has served as a military post and a prison for inmates convicted of political crimes. Venture inside the complex to see the glorious Peter and Paul Cathedral. An elegant Baroque building by Swiss-Italian architect Domenico Trezzini, its curves gracefully rise up into the sky. It is this building that provides the fortress with its famous spire. Visit the final resting place of many of the Romanov family, Russia’s last czars. Their graves are within the Peter and Paul Cathedral and can be located relatively easily thanks to their white marble sarcophagi. The graves of Nicholas II and his family, killed by revolutionaries in 1918, are in the St. Catherine’s Chapel on the site. Listen for the noonday gun, which is fired daily from Naryshkin Bastion or time your visit to witness the pomp of the changing of the guard, which happens every Saturday. Watch soldiers march as well as the trooping of the flag. The complex is also home to an on-site mint, one of only a couple of places in Russia that mint coins. Nearby is the Trubetskoy Bastion Prison, which has held famous prisoners including Leon Trotsky. Take the time to visit the long corridors prisoners would have trudged down and view recreations of the sparse rooms they were forced to inhabit, often in total isolation. Documents, images and museum installations are also available to give a flavour of what life in the prison was like. Ride the metro to Gorkovskaya station and from there, it’s just a short walk to the Peter and Paul Fortress. Admittance to the grounds is free of charge, although some exhibitions have an admission fee. ### Popular places to visit ![Neva river. Palace Bridge, Peter and Paul Cathedral. White night in St.-Petersburg, Russia](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621533020610/c7d051a4-ab2c-4470-beac-a27dae24a805.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Peter and Paul Cathedral You can study the exhibits at Peter and Paul Cathedral, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to St. Petersburg. Discover the area's churches, or seek out its local tours. [](https://expedia.ca/Peter-And-Paul-Cathedral-St-Petersburg.d553248621533020610.Vacation-Attraction) ![This place was under a renovation while I was in St. Petersburg. Its so beautiful from the outside, I can't imagine what it is like on the inside. #mosque #patterns](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/2042/5f8e3c1f-76ab-4dcc-bce8-5770272d8798.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Saint Petersburg Mosque After visiting Saint Petersburg Mosque, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in St. Petersburg. Discover the area's fascinating museums and churches. [](https://expedia.ca/Saint-Petersburg-Mosque-St-Petersburg.d6302340.Vacation-Attraction) ![Source: Wikipedia Aurora](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/2042/a52c0f04-f5c7-4cec-85eb-2a870de7a4e2.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Cruiser Aurora You can study the exhibits at Cruiser Aurora, a museum with a storied past, during your trip to St. Petersburg. Experience the area's fascinating museums and entertainment choices. [](https://expedia.ca/Cruiser-Aurora-St-Petersburg.d6066697.Vacation-Attraction) #### Gosudarev Bastion Find out about the history of St. Petersburg when you spend time at Gosudarev Bastion. Experience the area's fascinating museums and entertainment choices. [](https://expedia.ca/Gosudarev-Bastion-St-Petersburg.d6303706.Vacation-Attraction) #### Commandant's House You can browse the exhibits at Commandant's House, a museum with a storied past, during your travels to St. Petersburg. Discover the area's churches, or seek out its local tours. [](https://expedia.ca/Commandants-House-St-Petersburg.d6303690.Vacation-Attraction) #### Bell Tower You can learn about the history of St. Petersburg when you stop by Bell Tower. Experience the area's entertainment choices and fascinating museums. 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