Gosudarev Bastion became the first structure founded on the territory of Petropavlovskaya Fortress. Peter I personally supervised its construction, which is why this part of the citadel received this name.
This pentagon-shaped defensive structure was created for effective fire against the enemy. Fortunately, no one ever wanted to attack Petropavlovskaya Fortress, so all of its firepower and the efforts of the military engineers were never needed. The stone structure was erected in 1732 on the site of the first bastion, built in 1703.
The interior spaces of the fortification used to consist of two tiers of combat casemates, which 100 years later were converted into a single tier. Beneath them ran an underground tunnel through which one could reach other rooms.
As the Swedish attack that Peter I feared never took place, Gosudarev Bastion was soon put to peaceful use. At first, workshops, warehouses, and powder magazines were placed in the casemates. In the 19th century, an infirmary for military prisoners, soldiers' barracks, and a bathhouse were set up here. Today, the bastion's casemates and underground passages are open to visitors.
Films were also shot here :) Gosudarev Bastion played the role of the execution site of Anna Bestuzheva in the Gardemarines saga and turned into Bristol in the film "Treasure Island".
