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Among the buildings that stand out among
Peter's standard architecture is the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul which
Dominico Tresini started building in 1714 within the walls of the fortress that
carries the same name. Peter wanted the Cathedral to serve as a burial place
for himself and his descendants and was very much interested in its
construction, though he did not live to see it finished in 1733. He wanted its
belfry to be higher than any in western Europe, and even thought of its
carillon. Together with its gilded sharp spire with an angel on top, the belfry
is almost 400 feet high. Russians followed the taste of their ruler and the
Cathedral became a landmark that for many years served as a model for many
churches later erected in Russia; however, with the exception of its size and
blistering gold that pleasantly reflects in the Neva's waters, architecturally
it does not differ much from an average contemporary German church. For photos
of the cathedral and the fortress please go to
peteburg.
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