Peter and Paul Fortress Guided Tour

Peter and Paul Fortress Guided Tour

After meeting up at the Gorkovskaya Metro Station in Saint Petersburg, we'll set off on foot towards the nearby Zayachi Island, or Hare Island, a tiny piece of land in the Neva River where the imposing Peter and Paul Fortress is located.

Why did the legendary Tsar Peter the Great choose a small, swampy island to build a large defensive fortress? Our expert English-speaking guide will reveal the origins of the ramparts as we stroll through its impressive walls. You'll hear numerous fascinating stories including how this the bulwark was used as a notorious prison for many years.

Having enjoyed a journey through the 18th and 19th century history of the Peter and Paul Fortress, we'll learn about its role in one of the most significant episodes of the 1917 Russian Revolution. Do you know what historical events took place here?

We'll continue discovering Russian history as we pay a visit to the most important monument within the fortress and St Petersburg's oldest landmark, the Peter and Paul Cathedral. Inside the church, which is home to the tombs of many Russian emperors and empresses, we'll admire its majestic decoration, characterised by pastel tones and lavish gilt details.

To bring our tour to an end, we'll walk around the island, taking in the different buildings of the defensive complex, before returning to our original meeting point.