The Peter and Paul Fortress The Menshikov Palace by Nazarova Olga form 9-2

I. The Peter and Paul Fortress The foundation stone of the fortress was laid on the 16th of May (the 27th of May by new style) in This is the day of St. Petersburgs foundation.

Peter I decided to build a new fortress on a small Zayachy (Hare) island. The legend says that he marked the place for the fortress gates with two birch-trees. Peter I decided to build a new fortress on a small Zayachy (Hare) island. The legend says that he marked the place for the fortress gates with two birch-trees.

Zayachy island is situated at the point where the river branches out into two arms. The island made a good defence position. The fortress had to protect the land of the Neva from the attacks by Sweden. Zayachy island is situated at the point where the river branches out into two arms. The island made a good defence position. The fortress had to protect the land of the Neva from the attacks by Sweden.

The fortress took its name from the small wooden church in the center of the unfinished fortress. This church was dedicated to the Apostles Peter and Paul.

Soon after that another fortress on Cronshlodt island was built and the Peter and Paul Fortress lost its military role and turned into a political prison. Soon after that another fortress on Cronshlodt island was built and the Peter and Paul Fortress lost its military role and turned into a political prison.

The fortress remained the most horrible political prison in Russia for almost 200 years. The fortress remained the most horrible political prison in Russia for almost 200 years. Alexei, the son of Peter I, was one of the first prisoners. Alexei, the son of Peter I, was one of the first prisoners. The writer Alexander Radishev was imprisoned there in The writer Alexander Radishev was imprisoned there in Five of the Decembrists (Pestel, Ryleev, Muravyev-Apostol, Bestuzhev-Ryumin and Kakhovsky) were hunged in the Peter and Paul Fortress. Five of the Decembrists (Pestel, Ryleev, Muravyev-Apostol, Bestuzhev-Ryumin and Kakhovsky) were hunged in the Peter and Paul Fortress. The writer Fyodor Dostoevsky was imprisoned in The writer Fyodor Dostoevsky was imprisoned in Maxim Gorky was imprisoned in Maxim Gorky was imprisoned in 1905.

In the fortress became a museum of the history of St. Petersburg. Now a branch of the St. Petersburg Historical Museum is situated in the fortress. We can see bastions and cells where the political offenders were imprisoned. In the fortress became a museum of the history of St. Petersburg. Now a branch of the St. Petersburg Historical Museum is situated in the fortress. We can see bastions and cells where the political offenders were imprisoned.

In the center of the fortress stands the Mint. It was founded in Coins, badges, orders, medals have been minted there. In the center of the fortress stands the Mint. It was founded in Coins, badges, orders, medals have been minted there.

Alexander Menshikov was Peter the Greats closest associate and friend. Coming from the lower classes, he earned the superior titles, ranks and orders. The tsar trusted Menshokov. His main duty was to realize all Peters projects and he was well-known for his machinations. Alexander Menshikov was Peter the Greats closest associate and friend. Coming from the lower classes, he earned the superior titles, ranks and orders. The tsar trusted Menshokov. His main duty was to realize all Peters projects and he was well-known for his machinations. II. The Menshikov Palace

Menshikov was given Vasilievsky Island as a present in In 1714 the tsar took back his present. Menshikov was the 1 st general governor of St. Petersburg and did much for its development. Menshikov was given Vasilievsky Island as a present in In 1714 the tsar took back his present. Menshikov was the 1 st general governor of St. Petersburg and did much for its development.

When Menshikov owned the island, he managed to build this palace. The 1 st palace was made of wood. In 1700, the large stone palace with a garden was laid. It was the most luxurious building in the city. It was designed by the architect G.M. Fontana. The construction was finished in 1714 by J.G. Schedel. This palace was the 1 st large building of stone in St.Petersburg. The style successfully combined traditional Russian and West European methods and forms of architecture. When Menshikov owned the island, he managed to build this palace. The 1 st palace was made of wood. In 1700, the large stone palace with a garden was laid. It was the most luxurious building in the city. It was designed by the architect G.M. Fontana. The construction was finished in 1714 by J.G. Schedel. This palace was the 1 st large building of stone in St.Petersburg. The style successfully combined traditional Russian and West European methods and forms of architecture.

In 1727, in a struggle for power Menshikov lost and was sent to Siberia, where he died 2 years later. In 1727, in a struggle for power Menshikov lost and was sent to Siberia, where he died 2 years later. Since 1731 the palace housed a privileged military educational establishment. Since 1731 the palace housed a privileged military educational establishment.

The palace was restored to its original appearance at the end of the 20 th century. In 1981, the palace became a branch of the State Hermitage. This palace is the fine example of a private house of the 1 st quarter of the 18 th century preserved till our days. The palace was restored to its original appearance at the end of the 20 th century. In 1981, the palace became a branch of the State Hermitage. This palace is the fine example of a private house of the 1 st quarter of the 18 th century preserved till our days.