Fortezza di Pietro e Paolo

The Peter and Paul Fortress is the original citadel of St. Petersburg, Russia, founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and built to Domenico Trezzini’s designs from 1706-1740. In the early 20th century, it was still used as a prison by the tsarist government. The fortress was established by Peter the Great on May 16 (by the Julian Calendar, hereafter indicated using “(J)”, May 27 by the Gregorian Calendar) 1703 on small Hare Island by the north bank of the Neva River. The fortress contains several notable buildings clustered around the Peter and Paul Cathedral (1712–1733), which has a 122.5 m (402 ft) bell-tower (the tallest in the city centre) and a gilded angel-topped cupola. Other structures inside the fortress include the still functioning mint building (constructed to Antonio Porta’s designs under Emperor Paul), the Trubetskoy Bastion with its grim prison cells, and the city museum.