The cornerstone of the Peter and Paul Fortress was laid by Peter the Great on 27th of May (May 16 to the Old Style) in 1703. This date is considered to be the day of foundation of St. Petersburg.

At the territory of the fortress there is the first cathedral in St. Petersburg - St. Peter and Paul Cathedral. It contains burial vaults of nearly all Russian tsars, beginning with Peter the Great finishing with Nicolas II.

Even though St. Peter and Paul Fortress was built for military purpose (it had to protect the city from the possible Swedish attacks) it never played any military role and very soon was converted into a political prison. It received the nickname - "Russian Bastille". Nowadays the cells of Trubetskoy bastion are permanently opened as a museum.

Today the Peter and Paul Fortress accommodates the Museum of St. Petersburg History.