Office in the city center
Our office is in the center of Saint Petersburg, and bus pickup points are nearby. You do not need to search for the departure point or walk several blocks.
Tour of the Peter and Paul Cathedral with a guide: 'The Imperial Burial Vault'
From 2500 ₽
Guided tour of St. Peter and Paul Cathedral
“St. Peter and Paul Cathedral is the main church of Saint Petersburg and the burial place of Russian emperors. Here rest the remains of Peter the Great, Catherine II, Nicholas II and other members of the Romanov dynasty. Accompanied by a professional guide, you will learn the secrets of the imperial burials, see the unique carved iconostasis and hear the history of the cathedral's construction.”
St. Peter and Paul Cathedral is the ideological and compositional core of the Peter and Paul Fortress ensemble, one of the main symbols of Saint Petersburg. The Cathedral of the Holy Chief Apostles Peter and Paul was built in 1712–1733 according to the design of Domenico Trezzini and became the first stone church in the city. Its main feature is the bell tower with a gilded spire topped by a figure of a flying angel, which for two centuries remained the tallest building in Russia.
The tour program includes:
Cathedral architecture - you will learn why the cathedral is so unlike traditional Russian churches, how Petrine Baroque combined with Western European traditions, and what the famous spire with the angel symbolizes.
Iconostasis and interior decoration - you will see a unique carved gilded iconostasis made by Moscow craftsmen (architect Ivan Zarudny). It is a true masterpiece of decorative and applied art, gifted to the church by Peter I and Catherine I. You will see ancient icons, the Royal Doors, and the canopy above the altar.
Imperial tomb - the main shrine of the cathedral. Almost all Russian emperors from Peter I to Nicholas II are buried here. You will learn:
- Where Peter I is buried and why his grave remained unsealed for a long time.
- The story of the reburial of the remains of Nicholas II and members of his family.
- Which of the Romanovs was not buried in the cathedral and for what reason.
- Legends and mystical stories connected with the imperial burials.
Grand Ducal Burial Vault - a separate building attached to the cathedral in the early 20th century for the burial of non-reigning members of the imperial family. Grand dukes and duchesses are buried here.
What you will learn:
- Why Peter I decided to build the cathedral specifically in the fortress and make it a burial place.
- How the appearance of the cathedral changed over three centuries.
- Who created the unique iconostasis and what its symbolic meaning is.
- Stories of the tragic fates of the Romanovs who found their final resting place in the cathedral.
- How the cathedral survived the Soviet era and when services resumed.
- The tradition of the noon cannon shot, connected with the Naryshkin Bastion by the walls of the cathedral.
Summary: A tour of Peter and Paul Cathedral is a touch of the history of the Russian Empire through the fates of its rulers. You will see the place where the remains of the founder of St. Petersburg and the last Russian emperor rest, and feel the connection of times.
Location: Peter and Paul Fortress, Cathedral Square.
Duration: 1–1.5 hours.
Format: Private or group guided tour.
What is included in the price of the tour to St. Peter and Paul Cathedral:
- Services of a professional guide, a specialist in the history of St. Petersburg and the Romanov dynasty, for 1–1.5 hours
- Tour of St. Peter and Paul Cathedral with a visit to the imperial tomb and iconostasis
- A story about the history of the cathedral's construction, its architecture and symbolism
- Stories about the burials of Russian emperors and grand dukes
- Entrance tickets to the cathedral (when choosing the corresponding rate)
Please note: The cost of entrance tickets can be paid separately or included in the tour price - please check when booking. An adult ticket to St. Peter and Paul Cathedral is 550–1000 ₽, a discounted one (schoolchildren, students, pensioners) is 450–550 ₽. Photography inside the cathedral is allowed without flash. Tours for organized groups are conducted by prior order.
Important
We currently do not offer a separate tour only to St. Peter and Paul Cathedral. You can visit the Peter and Paul Fortress and learn about its history as part of our large sightseeing tour of St. Petersburg with the Peter and Paul Fortress. The route includes the historic center of the city and a walk around the fortress territory.
Why choose Leningrad-Tour
Tours for groups
You can book a trip for a large group, family, school class, corporate event or celebration. We will match the format and the number of seats you need.
Discounted tickets
Seniors, students, schoolchildren and preschoolers get discounted rates on a number of tours.
Tours across Russia
Besides Saint Petersburg and its suburbs, we offer multi-day tours to cities and regions across Russia.
A wide choice of routes
Sightseeing, bus, boat, evening, walking and school tours, plus suburban trips — we will find a program for any kind of visit.
Comfortable transport
We operate clean, comfortable tourist coaches. A spacious cabin matters most on longer routes.
Our guides
Tour guide Leningrad-Tour: Kholshevnikova Anna
Accredited historian and top-category guide for Saint Petersburg and its suburb…
Go
Leningrad-Tour guide: Ksenia Babich
Historian and top-category guide to Saint Petersburg and suburbs. Leads emotio…
Go
Guide Taisiya Shakel — tour guide for St. Petersburg and suburbs
Creates large-scale and dynamic routes covering key eras and ensembles of the c…
Go
Leningrad-Tour guide: Angelika Bulgakova
Creates multifaceted tours covering different eras of St. Petersburg — from imp…
Go
Leningrad-Tour guide: Victoria Evseeva — tour guide for St. Petersburg and suburbs
Creates poetic tours combining imperial residences with the literary heritage o…
Go
Photos of beautiful places
Фотографии к этой экскурсии появятся позже.
