PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS, Cathedral

The Peter and Paul Cathedral is the oldest landmark in St. Petersburg. It was built between 1712 and 1733 by the Swiss architect Domenico Trezzini, in a Baroque style reminiscent of churches in northern Europe.

The most striking feature of the cathedral is the impressive golden spire, topped with an angel holding a cross. At a height of 123 meters, it is one of the most important symbols of the city. The tower of the Cathedral, containing a Flemish carillon that plays several times a day, is the highest building in St Petersburg Old Town where, by law, nothing higher may be constructed.

In 1756, the spire was struck by lightning which reduced most of the cathedral to ashes.

Now press pause, enter the church and press play again when you reach the main altar.

Take a moment to admire an architectural feature that has no equal in the world: the extraordinary gilded wooden screen in front of the altar, known as iconostasis. These are usually flat, but here it takes the form of a triumphal arch composed of elaborate sculptures and embellished with the splendid portal "of the tsar"....