Russia: Saint Petersburg – Peter & Paul Cathedral & Fortress

Peter & Paul Cathedral & Fortress was the first structure built by Peter the Great when in 1712 the Tsar decided to found the city here and “cut the window” into Europe. The cathedral’s bell tower is the world’s highest Orthodox bell tower, with the gold-painted spire rising to a height of 123 m / 404 ft with an angel and a cross on top. The interior of the cathedral is truly stunning with amazing mosaic and pastel colors. The cathedral is also a burial for most of the Russian tsars, including the imperial tombs of Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, and Nicholas II.