History
In 1703, Peter I founded the Peter and Paul Fortress on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. Peter understood that the new Russia needed architecture capable of expressing the ideas of the time. In an effort to strengthen the dominant position of the young capital among the cities of Russia, the sovereign conceived a new building that would rise above the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and the Menshikov Tower. The new temple was supposed to be the most significant building in the capital and be located in the heart of the Peter and Paul Fortress.
The construction of the temple began on June 29 (July 10), 1703, on the day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (in the 21st century this holiday is celebrated on July 12) on the territory of the newly founded Peter and Paul Fortress. The consecration of the first wooden Peter and Paul Church took place on April 1 (12), 1704. On May 14 (25), 1704, a festive service was held here in honor of the victory of Field Marshal B.P. Sheremetev over the Swedish ships on Lake Peipus.
Peter and Paul Cathedral today
The cathedral is part of the wider Peter and Paul Fortress complex; you’ll need to buy a ticket to the whole site to enter the cathedral. which is open Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday. In the summer months, it is also possible to climb the narrow bell-tower for excellent views of the city.
It’s worth spending some time exploring the cathedral fully – try and spot the tombs of previous rulers.
Getting to Peter and Paul Cathedral
The cathedral is across the River Neva from the main body of the city: the nearest metro stop is Gor’kovskaya (line 2) although it’s only a 2km walk from the Hermitage. Tram routes 6 and 40 also stop close by.
Angel weather-vane on the spire of the Peter and Paul Cathedral
The cathedral's rectangular base stretches from southwest to northeast, and its walls are formed with decorative pilasters and ornate cherub heads on the windows. The multi-tiered cathedral bell tower is crowned with a landmark needle, upholstered with copper gilded sheets. The needle, built by Dutchman German von Bolis, is topped off by the figure of a flying angel bearing a cross. The clock for the bell tower was delivered in 1720 from Holland where it was purchased for 45,000 rubles - a huge sum for the time.
A clock and an image of a cherub at the Peter and Paul Cathedral
The inside of the cathedral holds a fantastic iconostasis, completed by a group of more than forty Moscow architects under Ivan Zarudny from 1722-1727. Whereas the architectural style of the cathedral is similar in style to the Lutheran church, the painting of the iconostasis is more in the spirit of Catholic Church icons. The walls of the cathedral are also embellished with paintings of various bible themes, including many paintings of gospel stories by artists of the early and mid 18th century.
The bell-tower has a colorful, often tragic history. As the tallest structure for many miles, it was often the victim of lightning, and in fact burned down on the night of April 29-30, 1756, in a particularly severe fire. Although the bells were destroyed, the iconostasis was removed from the cathedral in the nick of time. In 1766, Catherine the Great ordered the bell tower to be rebuilt exactly as it had been, and the new tower was unveiled in 1776.
Icon on the facade of the cathedral
New bells were brought from Holland by renowned Dutch craftsman Ort Krass. They played "Since the Glory" at the top of every hour until 1917, and at noon played the national anthem, "God Save the Tsar", to the accompaniment of a canon shot - a tradition which continues today. The clock was turned off, but in 1952 a new one was installed that chimed four times a day and played the hymn of the Soviet Union.
One major attraction is the graves of most of the Romanov rulers of Russia from Peter the Great onward. Peter's grave is at the front right, and people still leave fresh flowers on it. Also here are both Catherines, Elizabeth, all three Alexanders, Paul, Peter III, Anne - and now both Nicholases as well, as the remains of Nicholas II and his family were re-interred in the small Chapel of St. Catherine on July 17, 1998.
- Address: Peter & Paul Fortress
- Metro: Gorkovskaya, Sportivnaya
- Open: Daily, 10 am to 6 pm. Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm. Sunday, 10 am to 5:45 pm.
- Admission: RUB 350.00. This attractions is also included in the museum/s combined ticket.
- Photo and video: Free
- Accessibility note: Fully accessible (ramps).
