The Peter and Paul Fortress
The Peter and Paul Fortress ( Russian : Петропа́вловская кре́пость , Petropavlovskaya Krepost ) is the original citadel of St. Petersburg , Russia , founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and built to Domenico Trezzini 's designs from 1706-1740. [ 1 ] It is the central and most important part of the State Museum of Saint Petersburg History . The museum has gradually become virtually the sole owner of the fortress building except the building of Saint Petersburg Mint . History The fortress was established by Peter the Great on May 16 (by the Julian Calendar , hereafter indicated using "(J)"; May 27 by the Gregorian Calendar ) 1703 on small Hare Island by the north bank of the Neva River , the last upstream island of the Neva delta. Built at the height of the Northern War in order to protect the projected capital from a feared Swedish counterattack, the fort never fulfilled its martial purpose. The citadel was completed with six bastions in earth and timber withi...