Part II

The Peter and Paul Fortress

St.Peter’s Gate – the central gala gate to the fortress was built in 1718, according to the project of Domenico Tresini. It is decorated with wooden bas-reliefs.

The central one depicts “The Defeat of Simon, the Fortune-teller.” According to the old myth Simon, the Fortune-teller, went up to heaven by magic but was brought back to earth by St.Peter’s prayers. It is an allegorical representation of the victory of Peter the Great over Charles XII – Russian victory over Sweden.

On the both sides of the gate there are two allegorical sculptures representing the State wisdom and strategic talent of Peter the Great.

The double-headed eagle, the State emblem of the Russian Empire, weights 1096 kg. The gate as a whole – is the only triumphal arch of the 18th century.

In this part the wall is almost 20 metres wide.

To the right of the central path is the Artillery Workshop (for keeping artillery ammunition), to the left is the House of Engineering team. The Guard’s House – is the place where the officers of the garrison were kept for breach of regulations.

The Commandant’s House was built for commandants of fortress. They were appointed by the tzar himself from among the most trustworthy generals. This appointment was regarded as a high honour.

The little pavilion is the Boat House. It was built in 1765 by the architect Vist (a pupil of Rastrelli), to house the skiff of Peter I, on board of which he had learned to sail when he was a young boy. It was Peter the Great who built the Russian Navy when he became the tsar; so the skiff was called “the Grandfather of the Russian fleet”.

Since 1940 the skiff has been kept in the Central Navy Museum. The Boat House contains only its model and some exhibits features the early history of the Russian Navy.

Behind the “Guard’s House” is another gate called the “Neva Gate”, for it faces the river. It was built in 1731 and later in 1787 its outer side was reconstructed by architect Lvov. It was the year when the walls of the fortress were faced with granite slabs.

The landing-stage was made by Lvov, it is 5 metres wide.

The “Neva Gate” was known as the “Gate of Death” because prisoners sentenced to death were led through to a small jetty from which they were taken to the place of execution. Five leaders of the uprising were led to the place of execution through this gate and were hung on the Crownwork of the fortress.

At the end of the path is the building of the Mint. In 1724 the Royal Mint was transferred from Moscow to St. Petersburg by the order of Peter the Great. This building was put up at the beginning of the 19th century. All the coins, badges, orders, medals have been minted there.