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 to 1740 as a star fortress Today it has been adapted as the central and most important part of the State Museum of Saint Petersburg History. The museum has gradually become virtually the sole owner of the fortress building, except the structure occupied by the Saint Petersburg Mint. #peter #great #domenico #trezzini's #museum #saint #petersburg

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The fortress contains several notable buildings clustered around the Peter and Paul Cathedral and can be found on many most beautiful photos of Saint Petersburg. The cathedral is the burial place of all Russian tsars from Peter I to Alexander III, except for Peter II and Ivan VI. The remains of Nicholas II and his family and entourage were re-interred there, in the side chapel of St. Catherine, on July 17, 1998, the 80th anniversary of their deaths. #fortress #cathedral #saint #petersburg

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Toward the end of 2006, the remains of Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna were brought from Roskilde Cathedral outside Copenhagen and reinterred next to her husband, Alexander III. The fortress walls overlook sandy beaches that have become among the most popular in St. Petersburg. In summer, the beach is often overcrowded, especially when a major sand festival takes place on the shore. #cathedral #fortress #st.petersburg #summer #beach #festival

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