The Peter-Paul Cathedral is also the pantheon of the royal family.
A few tombs (I think it numbered 32) covered by white Carrara marble of the royal family are found here. 2 of them are different... in green jasper & pink rodonite. They belongs to those of Alexander II & his wife Alexandrovna.
As for the remains of the last Emperor, in this case, Nicholas II, & those of his family, they lie in a separate chapel. The family was shot on July 16, 1918.
Updated Jan 6, 2004
Btw, it may look new... but really, it's 283 year old! Much older than any of us!
Very different from the iconostasis of the Russian Orthodox church.
It looks more like something you'd find in the Versailles, isn't it?
Updated Jan 6, 2004
Repainted with cherubim in 1870, the ceiling of the central nave bears attributes of martyrdom.
The cathedral also has large windows, a pulpit & large gilded iconostasis.
It also has the look of a German or Dutch church due to the "lengthy" nave.
Updated Jan 6, 2004
PETER-PAUL CATHEDRAL was built between 1712 & 1733. As with most buildings in St. Petersburg, it was styled after European architectural design rather than Russian's.
This cathedral has an Italian Baroque + Northern Baroque blend.
It's also richly decorated with frescoes & oil paintings.
Lots of pillars & marbles.
The "greenish" undertone is something different & unique.
Updated Jan 6, 2004
The original nucleus of St.Petersburg, the site chosen specifically for its strategic location; protected by the Neva on the south & west while impassible from all other sides (marshes everywhere!).
This is the Fort of Peter I. Although it was never used for defensive purposes.
"THE City" until 1740.
It was once a prison though... Decembrist rebels, writer Alexander Radiscev & Maxim Gorky, Alexander Ulyanov (Lenin's brother).
The complex of Saints Peter & Paul Cathedral with its gilded spire can be seen all the way from Hermitage.
It IS the TALLEST building in St. Petersburg.
Height = 402 ft.
Architect - Domenico Trezzini.
Built - 1712-33.
Updated Jan 6, 2004
This is the road leading towards the entrance of the fortress. The fortress rest on the little Zaychy Island on Petrograd side.
At noon every day, a cannon is fired from Naryshkin Bastion.
Entrance to the fortress is free but you need to pay if you want to enter the cathedral.
Updated Jan 3, 2004
This is the oldest building in St Petersburg.
Peter planned it as a defense against the Swedes but defeated them before it was finished.
It was never utilised in the city's defense. Its main use up to 1917 was as a prison.
One of the first inmates was Peter's own son Alexy. Peter is said to have overseen personally Alexy's tortures inside this prison. Other famous resident includes Alexander, Lenin's older brother.
The needle-thin spire is a landmark in SP and can be seen from most places in SP.
The cathedral, though plain on the outside, houses magnificent interior.
Tombs of russian Tzars, namely Peter the Great, can be found inside the cathedral.
Updated Jan 3, 2004
In the middle of the fortress complex is Peter and Paul Cathedral. Its spire is the highest point in the city. The design is very unusual for a Russian Orthodox church. The Tsars who ruled while the capital was in St. Petersburg are all buried here.
Updated Nov 19, 2003
Every day at noon they fire off a canon from the side of the fortress. It is unbelievably loud. Even though I knew it was coming, the immense blast made me jump straight up in the air and scream. All the Russian schoolkids surrounding me seemed to think it was pretty awesome, too.
Written Nov 19, 2003
I believe this was the first structure in St. Petersburg. Peter the Great built the fort in 1703 to protect the area from possible attack by the Swedes.
The Swedes were defeated before the fortress was even completed, so its purpose was shifted to that of a high-security political jail. The list of famous residents included Dostoyevsky, Gorky, Trotsky and Lenin's older brother.
Written Nov 19, 2003
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I believe this was the first structure in St. Petersburg. Peter the Great built the fort in 1703 to protect the area from possible attack by the Swedes. The...
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