Peter and Paul Fortress: mode of operation, prices and history

An important historical, architectural and engineering monument of St. Petersburg is the Peter and Paul Fortress. The mode of operation of the museum makes it possible to visit this unique facility for everyone at any time. Let's talk about it in more detail in this article.

About the fortress: history and modernity

The most beautiful city in Europe, no doubt, is St. Petersburg. But in the city first of all you should visit the so-called Hare Island. It is here that the historical nucleus of St. Petersburg, the Peter and Paul Fortress, is located. The museum operates daily, which is very convenient for Russian and foreign tourists.

In 1703, Peter the Great began building powerful fortifications on the Hare Island, which gave impetus to the development of the city, the first port of the Russian Empire on the Baltic Sea. There is a version that the approximate plan-drawing of the future fortress was sketched by the king himself. The famous French architect Lambert was engaged in mathematical and engineering calculations.

At first the fortress was wooden and earthen, but it was badly damaged after the first severe flood. Therefore, by the middle of the century, it was "clothed" in stone. In the center of the fortress area grew the Cathedral of Peter and Paul, which gave the name of the entire fortification system on the island.

The Peter and Paul Fortress today is a grand open-air museum, within which historical buildings - monuments of architecture are preserved: the cathedral, the Grand Ducal Tomb, the Bottle House, the Mint, the bastion and gate system, and a number of other buildings. On the territory of the fortress, various exhibitions are regularly held, and the richest collections of the history museum of St. Petersburg are also kept here. Annually on May 27, the Day of the City is celebrated in the fortress walls.

Peter and Paul Fortress: mode of operation and location

The fortress is located on the Hare Island, in the historical part of St. Petersburg. It will not be difficult to get to it. The easiest way to get to the metro station "Gorkovskaya" and walk a little bit along the Alexandrovsky park in a southerly direction. You can also get here by tram (route No. 6) or trolleybus (No. 7).

Before each tourist and guest of the city the Peter and Paul Fortress will open its powerful doors with joy. The operating mode of the complex is from 9.00 to 21.00. Most museums and exhibitions accept visitors every day, except Wednesday.

Peter and Paul Fortress: ticket prices

The entrance to the fortress today is free. To visit museums or exhibitions, go to separate buildings, you will have to pay a certain amount.

So, the entrance to the Peter and Paul Cathedral costs 250 rubles (130 rubles - for schoolchildren and students). To visit the Turkish bastion with the prison or the bell tower of the temple, you have to pay 150 rubles for the ticket.

The entrance to the permanent museum exhibitions of the complex (History of the Fortress, History of Petersburg-Petrograd) is still free (but only until the end of October 2015).

"The Battle of Neve"

"Battle on the Neva" - a grandiose festival in the Peter and Paul Fortress, which recreates spectacular mass battles. This year it was held on 18 and 19 July and attracted a huge number of tourists and participants.

The festival "Battle on the Neva" is an excellent opportunity to visit several historical epochs: visit the Middle Ages, see real knight battles, and follow the battles of the Napoleonic War. Every visitor of a grandiose action can not only try their hand at fencing or archery, but also engage in ancient crafts.

For intellectuals at the festival organize various lectures, as well as sites for historical discussions.