The history of Saint Petersburg, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, began with the laying of a fortress on Hare Island in 1703. The founding of the future capital of Peter I is shrouded in legends and various versions explaining why this particular place was chosen, including the myth of the hares, the prophecies of a seer elder to the tsar, and other conjectures.
Most likely, the most important factor was the convenience of placing the fortress on the island, because at first the tsar feared Swedish attacks and was building an imposing fort so as not to let the enemy deeper into the country.
Initially, the fortress was surrounded by earthen ramparts, which were constantly washed away by the waters of the Neva, so the fortifications were soon rebuilt in stone and brick. The outline of the fortress walls forms an irregular hexagon, resembling a turtle in shape.
At each corner there is a bastion named after one of the tsar's close associates. They, in turn, are connected to one another by curtain walls - broad walls with service rooms inside and the infamous Peter and Paul casemates. Many well-known political prisoners were held in these dungeons.
The Peter and Paul Fortress is part of the Museum of the History of Saint Petersburg complex. Today, dozens of museums and exhibition halls operate on its grounds. Here you can also see unique historical monuments and interesting sights. To avoid missing anything worth seeing during your tour, use our guide to the Peter and Paul Fortress.
