Peterstadt

Peterstadt fortress was built in Oranienbaum in 1759-1762,  for the Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich, the future Emperor Peter III.

From the south and east it is surrounded by ramparts and moats filled with water, from the north and west stone casemates located with loopholes for guns.

Parade ground was located in the center of the fortress, around which were located: commandant's house, Arsenal, the powder magazine, guardhouse, military barracks, houses for officers.

Architectural dominant of the  fortress became a Lutheran church and the palace of Peter Fedorovich, built by A. Rinaldi.

In 1755, the Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich brings the shelves of his hometown Duchy of Holstein.

Subsequently, these shelves make up the bulk Peterstadt garrison, numbering fifteen hundred people.

He was carrying guard duty at the Grand Palace, fully serviced fortress Peterstadt and conduct military exercises in the vicinity of Oranienbaum.

Near the fortress presented Holstein’s  military camp, here a lot of tents of soldiers.

Military exercises near Oranienbaum organized not only Holstein housing.

Right from the fortress Peterstadt shown camp of the Semenov’s  regiment.

During a palace coup of 28 June, 1762, arranged by wife of Peter III – Catherine, Imperial Guard entered the fortress Peterstadt disarm Holsteins and expel them from Russia.

Peter III was killed and his wife took the throne - Catherine II.

Catherine’s guard can be seen on a country road in Peterhof, directed by Vasily Suvorov - the father of the famous Alexander Suvorov.

After the death of Peter III, Peterstadt maintained in its original form until the end of his reign of Catherine II.

In the beginning of the XIX century, all wooden buildings in the fort were dismantled, and by the middle of the XIX century with all the fortress remained only Honorary entrance gate and the palace of Peter III.

These are the only buildings of the Peterstadt, which have come down to our time.

Oranienbaum village life presented near the fortress, gardens, orchards, bee house, stage production of honey of wild bees, here is a farm that provides food needed of the fortress.