Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral

I can tell that I need to do more reading on Russian history, especially pre-Revolution. It is doubtful that I can ever be as knowledgeable as our guide who can recite every Russian tsar in order since the 1700's and the year their reign ended 🙄, however, there appear to be some very interesting stories to at least read about.

The Peter and Paul Fortress, or more simply known as Петропа́вловская, was established by Peter the Great in 1703 as a way of protecting his new capital from the Swedes (who were quite the world power then).  The fortress also played a role in the Russian Revolution when the Bolsheviks freed prisoners and later locked up tsarist supporters here.  For those of you who are video game aficionados, the fortress is a part of the game Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (seriously ?!?!) The spires are able to be seen at great distances......

More importantly, the fortress contains the Peter and Paul Cathedral which is the burial place of ever Russian tsar from Peter I to Alexander III (with the exception of Peter II and Ivan VI).  The Cathedral is exceptionally beautiful.....

The story of the last Russian tsar and his family is familiar to many of us. DNA verified that remains found in a mine in the Ural mountains were truly those of Nicholas II and his family. They were buried in the Cathedral on July 17, 1998, the 80th anniversary of their deaths.