Audio tour St Petersburg. The Peter & Paul Fortress

The Peter & Paul Fortress is a trip back in time to see the extent of the Russian Empire in miniature. Here its Tsars lie buried in state, just yards from the prison-cells where their enemies and potential assassins were incarcerated and tortured – your visit encompasses both of these extremes of Empire. It’s all encompassed within the colossal walls of the most hotly-guarded military installation of the C17th – a textbook example of military engineering of its era. From its river-facing walls you’ll enjoy the most sumptuous view of the glories of St Petersburg’s royal and noble palaces – and all for free. And from the self-same viewpoint, the more unusual view of the citizens of St Petersburg sunbathing on the river beach of what was once the most feared political prison in the Russian Empire.