When the new capital of Russia was founded by Peter the Great on Hare's Island, the construction of the new city began on May 27, 1703 from the Peter and Paul Fortress. Soon after the beginning of the construction of the fortress, on June 23, the official ceremony of the beginning of the construction of St. Petersburg's first church took place. This was marked by three shots of the guns of the Baltic Fleet ships. The church was named the Cathedral of Saint Apostles Peter and Paul (St. Apostle Peter was the Patron Saint of Peter the Great). The original church was wooden, like all first buildings of St. Petersburg.

The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul in the Peter and Paul Fortress as you can see it today is an architectural landmark of "Czar Peter's Baroque" and the principal symbol of St. Petersburg. It was designed by the architect Domenico Trezzini and constructed in 1712-1733. On June 8, 1712, the first stone was placed in the foundation of the Cathedral by Peter the Great, the second stone – by Empress Catherine. The subsequent stones were placed by all highest officials present at the ceremony. The dominating part of the Cathedral is the bell tower adjoining its western facade. The bell tower is crowned with a high gilded spire with a weathercock shaped like a flying angel. There is also a clock on the bell tower. The bell tower is 122.5 meters high.

The interior of the Cathedral looks really magnificent with its iconostasis made of gilded carved wood and shaped like a triumphal gate. It was made in 1722-1726 following the traditions of European Baroque (designed by the architects Ivan Zaprudny, icons were painted by Andrei Pospelov, Alexander Merkuryev and Fyodor Artemyev.

The interior of the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul is magnificently decorated with marble. The walls of the church were painted in the 1720s by Fyodor Vorobyov, Matvei Negrubov and Pyotr Zybin.

The church was consecrated on June 29, 1733 and, from that time, became the main Cathedral of St. Petersburg.

The Cathedral was the burial place of Russian Emperors, beginning from Peter the Great (except Peter II and Ivan Antonovich). Many members of the Czars' families were also buried here.

Since the epoch of Peter the Great, the Cathedral has been a treasury of Russian military glory. Numerous war trophies were kept here: banners, arms, keys of conquered fortresses and cities.

Soon after the 1917 revolution, the Divine service was forbidden in the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, and in 1923-1924, it was transformed into a museum.

In July 2001, the parish of the Emperor's Memorial Cathedral was restored, and the Divine service was renewed.

The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul plays a very important role in the city scenery. It is one of the most important architectural landmarks on the banks of the Neva and in the center of St. Petersburg. It is also the architectural symbol of the city.

Assembly.M Tour Company