Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral in St Petersburg
Sightseeing : Russian Federation : Saint Petersburg : Saint Petersburg : Historical & Heritage Tours
Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
Trip Type: Historical & Heritage Tours
Duration: 5 hours
This 5-hour tour is a perfect way to explore the historical side of St Petersburg and get more familiar with the Russian history and history of St Petersburg, the history of Russian royal family and the Peter and Paul Fortress which is known to be the first structure to be built in the city.
It has a rich history and was first intended to be a military base, but then became a government site, the burial place of the imperial family and ended up as a jail that held some of Russia's most prominent political prisoners. It is also a center of the city’s urban traditions, including daily firing of the cannon at noon. In Summer time the site turns into an ongoing party where everyone is invited.
You will certainly enjoy the local atmosphere, panoramic views and learn more about the history of Romanov Dynasty and the most artistic city of Russia.
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This 5-hour tour is a perfect way to explore the historical side of St Petersburg and get more familiar with the Russian history and history of St Petersburg, the history of Russian royal family and the Peter and Paul Fortress which is known to be the first structure to be built in the city.
It has a rich history and was first intended to be a military base, but then became a government site, the burial place of the imperial family and ended up as a jail that held some of Russia's most prominent political prisoners. It is also a center of the city’s urban traditions, including daily firing of the cannon at noon. In Summer time the site turns into an ongoing party where everyone is invited.
You will certainly enjoy the local atmosphere, panoramic views and learn more about the history of Romanov Dynasty and the most artistic city of Russia.
Highlights:
Then we will continue the tour to the Park of Miniatures. This is one of the first public parks in the city, opened in 1845.
The architectural complex is an open air exhibition and includes the most famous historical ensembles of St. Petersburg, made of bronze on a scale of 1:33: Kazan Cathedral and St. Isaac's Cathedral, Savior on Spilled Blood, Palace Square, and other iconic landmarks in miniature.
After that we'll be heading to Peter and Paul Fortress. You will see the traditional firing of the cannon and deepen your knowledge of the famous Romanov Dynasty and the city’s historical past.
The fortress was founded in May 1703 on a joint plan of Peter I and the French engineer Lambert. Since the 1730s there was a tradition to celebrate the noon by firing a cannon shot from the Naryshkin bastion. The shot also marked the beginning and end of the working day.
The bell tower of the Peter and Paul Cathedral features a unique set of bells - Dutch and Russian. 31 out of the 103 bells located on four levels are dated 1757 year and represent a preserved part of the second Dutch Carillon. Thanks to the Romanov Fund and the Belgian royal family, the carillon came out to be the heaviest bell weighing more than three tons.
Being the highest cathedral in Russia and is the tallest building in the historical part of the city, the Peter and Paul Cathedral is also the burial vault of the Romanovs. The height of the bell tower with its gilded spire, topped with the figure of a flying angel is 122.5 meters.
Our final destination would be Vasilievsky Island with its Strelka and Rastral Columns, which is an extremely popular site among locals and tourists. The Vasilievsky Island (Basil Island) was first mentioned in 1500 when it used to be a fishermen island.
You can change your itinerary up to your preferences and visit those sites that are most appealing to you – our local guide will be flexible to any modifications.
It has a rich history and was first intended to be a military base, but then became a government site, the burial place of the imperial family and ended up as a jail that held some of Russia's most prominent political prisoners. It is also a center of the city’s urban traditions, including daily firing of the cannon at noon. In Summer time the site turns into an ongoing party where everyone is invited.
You will certainly enjoy the local atmosphere, panoramic views and learn more about the history of Romanov Dynasty and the most artistic city of Russia.
Highlights:
- Explore the oldest building in St Petersburg;
- Enjoy the various thematic exhibitions on the tour;
- See the first triumphal monument of St. Petersburg and the main entrance to the fortress – Peter’s Gate;
- Be awed by the largest number of bells in one place the world;
- Take in the views of the highest cathedral in Russia and the tallest building in the historical part of the city;
- See the local gem – Strelka on Vasilievsky Island, first mentioned in 1500;
- Admire the symbol of St Petersburg – the 3.2-meter Angel of Peter and Paul Cathedral.
Then we will continue the tour to the Park of Miniatures. This is one of the first public parks in the city, opened in 1845.
The architectural complex is an open air exhibition and includes the most famous historical ensembles of St. Petersburg, made of bronze on a scale of 1:33: Kazan Cathedral and St. Isaac's Cathedral, Savior on Spilled Blood, Palace Square, and other iconic landmarks in miniature.
After that we'll be heading to Peter and Paul Fortress. You will see the traditional firing of the cannon and deepen your knowledge of the famous Romanov Dynasty and the city’s historical past.
The fortress was founded in May 1703 on a joint plan of Peter I and the French engineer Lambert. Since the 1730s there was a tradition to celebrate the noon by firing a cannon shot from the Naryshkin bastion. The shot also marked the beginning and end of the working day.
The bell tower of the Peter and Paul Cathedral features a unique set of bells - Dutch and Russian. 31 out of the 103 bells located on four levels are dated 1757 year and represent a preserved part of the second Dutch Carillon. Thanks to the Romanov Fund and the Belgian royal family, the carillon came out to be the heaviest bell weighing more than three tons.
Being the highest cathedral in Russia and is the tallest building in the historical part of the city, the Peter and Paul Cathedral is also the burial vault of the Romanovs. The height of the bell tower with its gilded spire, topped with the figure of a flying angel is 122.5 meters.
Our final destination would be Vasilievsky Island with its Strelka and Rastral Columns, which is an extremely popular site among locals and tourists. The Vasilievsky Island (Basil Island) was first mentioned in 1500 when it used to be a fishermen island.
You can change your itinerary up to your preferences and visit those sites that are most appealing to you – our local guide will be flexible to any modifications.
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