Castles and fortifications |
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Peter
and Paul Fortress
The Peter and Paul Fortress is a historical and architectural monument which has played the central role in the structure of the city for three centuries. The fortress was the closing link in a chain of forts on the Gulf of Finland and Neva, but hasn't ever been involved in military action. Its strategic significance had diminished before the construction was over. Peter the Great himself is supposed to at least in part have authored the fortress project himself.
1703 A fort of earth and wood is constructed on Hare Island and named after Peter the Great
1706 Peter the Great personally lays down the foundation stone on his birthday and the construction of a new stone fortress begins. Its form resembles an irregular hexagon, with six bastions. Barrack and arsenal casemates are inbuilt in walls.
1705 - 1732 The construction continues under Domenico Trezzini, both architect and military engineer.
1712 The Cathedral is drawn by Trezzini and its construction goes on for 20 years.
1718 Alexei Petrovich, the heir to the throne, is imprisoned in the fortress for alleged treason. From now on, the fortress becomes one of the most important incarceration places for political prisoners.
1725 Peter the Great dies in January, and his coffin is placed inside a temporary wooden chapel in Cathedral while it's still under construction. Peter is buried in 1731, and the Cathedral becomes the royal funerary church for about 200 years. Every ruling Romanov excluding Peter II and Ivan VI is interred here.
1731 - 1740 Ioannovsky and Alekseevsky ravelins are built.
Mid-XVIII century A wooden prison is built inside Alekseevsky Ravelin. In 1797 it is replaced with the stone building of the Secret House, whose 20 cells are to house the most dangerous political prisoners (Decembrists and members of different dissident movements of the XIX century).
1887 The prison is abolished, the cells demolished and replaced with archives of the Military Ministry. The new prison founded in 1870s in Trubetskoy bastion is to house about 1500 prisoners during 45 years.
1917 In February revolutionary soldiers set free the prisoners. Under Provisional Government Czarist ministers and officials are incarcerated in the fortress. After Bolsheviks seize the fortress, it is involved in the events of October 25th, when its canons are fired at The Winter Palace. The last prisoners included some ministers of Provisional Government.
1924 Large areas of the fortress are opened to the public. St. Peter and Paul Cathedral and the former prison in Trubetskoy bastion are converted into museums.
1941-44 Parts of the fortress are damaged during bombings.
1954 The restoration started after the war is at an end. Some buildings are passed to Leningrad Historical museum. The still are to this day, however, some buildings and constructions belonging to other parties.
The fortress has been protected by the government since 1993. The restoration works continue, but have slowed down due to insufficient funding.
The visitors can daily hear the famous midday canon shot. There are several permanent exhibitions organized by The Historical Museum. These deal with both Russian history in general and the development of the fortress. Guided tours are offered in different languages. In the summer there are also concerts, boat trips and even helicopter rides. Traditional Christmas and Easter Festivals take place annually. The Mint building is still in use.
1703 A fort of earth and wood is constructed on Hare Island and named after Peter the Great
1706 Peter the Great personally lays down the foundation stone on his birthday and the construction of a new stone fortress begins. Its form resembles an irregular hexagon, with six bastions. Barrack and arsenal casemates are inbuilt in walls.
1705 - 1732 The construction continues under Domenico Trezzini, both architect and military engineer.
1712 The Cathedral is drawn by Trezzini and its construction goes on for 20 years.
1718 Alexei Petrovich, the heir to the throne, is imprisoned in the fortress for alleged treason. From now on, the fortress becomes one of the most important incarceration places for political prisoners.
1725 Peter the Great dies in January, and his coffin is placed inside a temporary wooden chapel in Cathedral while it's still under construction. Peter is buried in 1731, and the Cathedral becomes the royal funerary church for about 200 years. Every ruling Romanov excluding Peter II and Ivan VI is interred here.
1731 - 1740 Ioannovsky and Alekseevsky ravelins are built.
Mid-XVIII century A wooden prison is built inside Alekseevsky Ravelin. In 1797 it is replaced with the stone building of the Secret House, whose 20 cells are to house the most dangerous political prisoners (Decembrists and members of different dissident movements of the XIX century).
1887 The prison is abolished, the cells demolished and replaced with archives of the Military Ministry. The new prison founded in 1870s in Trubetskoy bastion is to house about 1500 prisoners during 45 years.
1917 In February revolutionary soldiers set free the prisoners. Under Provisional Government Czarist ministers and officials are incarcerated in the fortress. After Bolsheviks seize the fortress, it is involved in the events of October 25th, when its canons are fired at The Winter Palace. The last prisoners included some ministers of Provisional Government.
1924 Large areas of the fortress are opened to the public. St. Peter and Paul Cathedral and the former prison in Trubetskoy bastion are converted into museums.
1941-44 Parts of the fortress are damaged during bombings.
1954 The restoration started after the war is at an end. Some buildings are passed to Leningrad Historical museum. The still are to this day, however, some buildings and constructions belonging to other parties.
The fortress has been protected by the government since 1993. The restoration works continue, but have slowed down due to insufficient funding.
The visitors can daily hear the famous midday canon shot. There are several permanent exhibitions organized by The Historical Museum. These deal with both Russian history in general and the development of the fortress. Guided tours are offered in different languages. In the summer there are also concerts, boat trips and even helicopter rides. Traditional Christmas and Easter Festivals take place annually. The Mint building is still in use.
