Peter and Paul Cathedral

The Peter and Paul Cathedral is located inside the Peter and Paul Fortress along the Neva River in St. Petersburg. It is the oldest building in St. Petersburg and the second tallest after the television tower.

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What to See

The needle-like spire rising from the bell tower of Peter and Paul reaches a height of 404 feet and provides a spectacular view of the city. The angel holding a cross at the top of the spire is one of the most important symbols of St. Petersburg.

Inside the cathedral are the extravagant tombs of almost all the Russian rulers since Peter the Great. People still leave fresh flowers on Peter's grave. The last to be buried here was Nicholas II and his family, who were re-interred here on July 17, 1998.

But the highlight of the interior is the fantastic iconostasis, constructed by more than 40 Moscow architects under Ivan Zarudny from 1722-1727.

History

The Peter and Paul Fortress, built by Peter the Great in 1703, is the first and oldest landmark in St. Petersburg. The Peter and Paul Cathedral was consecrated on April 1, 1704.

The original Peter and Paul Cathedral was made of wood, but construction on the current stone cathedral began in 1712. It was consecrated on June 29, 1733, the shared feast day of Peter and Paul.

Designed by the architect Domenico Trezzini, it was the first cathedral built out of stone in St. Petersburg. Its Baroque style, influenced by Protestant churches of western Europe, was a dramatic departure from traditional Orthodox church architecture.

Quick Facts on Peter and Paul Cathedral

Site Information
Names:Peter and Paul Cathedral
Country:Russia
Categories:cathedrals
Faiths:Russian Orthodox
Styles:Baroque style
Dedication: St. Peter and St. Paul
Dates:1712-33
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:59.950315° N, 30.316665° E
Address:St. Petersburg, Russia
Lodging:View hotels near Peter and Paul Cathedral
Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

More Information

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Map of Peter and Paul Cathedral

Below is a location map and aerial view of Peter and Paul Cathedral. Using the buttons on the left (or the wheel on your mouse), you can zoom in for a closer look, or zoom out to get your bearings. To move around, click and drag the map with your mouse.