Peter and Paul fortress

Why locals love it

Some love it for original exhibitions and awesome concerts, other for possibility to have a delightful picnic or sunbathing at the very heart of the city and I love this place for that incredible feeling of peace that I gain every time chilling on the beach and looking at all those people rushing somewhere on the other side of the Neva river.

Things to do in St Petersburg: Peter and Paul fortress. Photo by schlaeger.

Why you should visit it

Have a look at the most controversial statue of Peter the Great, peek at the all-season sun lovers (the strongest ones come for a sunbath even in February), try to hit the hare by Ioannovsky bridge with a coin for good luck and hear traditional cannon shot at midday (on summer Saturdays you can also observe change of guards right after that).

Special tip

The island is open from 6 am till 10 pm, all the museum parts close at approximately 5 pm, but you can still walk around the fortress.

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6 Comments

Location in center, incredible fortress and a very tall cathedral in its centre

Vladimir

Local

August 22, 2019 0 likes

Totally recommend!

Nikolai

Local

October 12, 2018 0 likes

Mind that the museum is also closed on Wednesdays. Another tip: in Commandant's house (a long red and white two-storied building nearby the cathedral) you can visit a huge exhibition concerning the history of St. Petersburg. The large, and the best in my opinion, part of it is dedicated to fin de siècle ("end of century", end of XIX - beginning of XX century, which was the period when Russian culture reached one of its greatest heights, also called "Silver Age"). It is very rich and organized using the latest ideas in museology (interactive exhibits, ambience-building elements, clever design, creative grouping of objects), which make it a very fresh and immersive experience. You might want to visit it on a second trip to the city, or if you're an Art Nouveau-era enthusiast.

Nikolai

Local

October 12, 2018 0 likes