Peter and Paul Fortress is the place where the city started when Tsar Peter the Great ordered to protect the delta of the Neva River from the Swedes by constructing a Fortress on the Hare Island. The basic date of the Fortress, May 27, 1703, is considered to be the birthday of St.Petrsburg. The main cathedral of the Fortress — the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul — is the sepulchre of the Russian Tsars. The tsars of the Romanov dynasty starting with Peter the Great and up to Nicholas II are buried there.

Peter and Paul Fortress is one of those places which is better to visit with a guide. It is a witness of all the stages of history of St.Petersburg. You will hear stories about the Romanovs and the guide will tell you about all the intrigues around their ascending the Russian Throne and all the palace coup d’état. You will hear the tragic story about the murder of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II and his family. We will show you the Political Prison where the revolutionaries were kept under trial. Inside visit to the Cathedral is included into the tour.

Optionally you can also:

• Visit the Grand Ducal Sepulchre to see the tombs of the Grand Dukes, including the last possible heir to the Throne of Russia.
• Go to the Secret Passage inside the Fortress wall and walk on the rampart of the Fortress with the marvelous view of the Neva River and the Palace embankment.
• Climb the bell-tour of Peter and Paul Cathedral.
• Have an inside visit to the Political Prison of Trubetskoy Bastion