Peter and Paul Cathedral

The historical core of St. Petersburg is the Peter and Paul Fortress, a monument of military and engineering excellence. Located on Zayachy Island, the Fortress forms an irregular hexagon that stretches east to west with six bastions at the corners. The walls of the Fortress that face the Neva River were lined with granite blocks with fortifications built on the southern bank of the Petrogradsky Island for added protection. Inside are the former Royal Mint and the Peter and Paul Cathedral. The present Peter and Paul Cathedral are made of stone and replaced the old wooden church of St. Peter and St. Paul. This cathedral was St. Petersburg’s first monumental building and is also the burial vault of many Russian emperors.