The Cathedral of SS Peter & Paul (1712-1733), with its landmark needle-thin spire, magnificent Baroque interior and burial site for most of the pre-Revolutionary Russian leaders, is well worth seeing. SS Peter & Paul Cathedral is the oldest church in St. Petersburg. It is also the tallest building in the Northern Capital (excluding the TV tower). Work began on the first wooden church on this site about a month after the founding of the city on July 29, 1703, according to C. Schultz in his book St. Petersburg Churches. Construction was completed in 1704, and the new church was consecrated on April 1, 1704. In 1712, work began on the current stone Peter and Paul Cathedral according to the plan of architect Dominico Trezini. The grand opening and consecration occurred on June 29, 1733. The cathedral, though plain on the outside, is radically different from traditional Orthodox churches because it is built in the style of early Baroque. With its rectangular design, bell tower and landmark needle, the cathedral is more similar to protestant churches of Central Europe, and
complied with the wishes of Peter I. The cathedral's rectangular base stretches from southwest to northeast, and its walls are formed with decorative pilasters and ornate cherub heads on the windows. The multi-tiered cathedral bell tower is crowned with a landmark needle, upholstered with copper gilded sheets. The needle, built by Dutchman German von Bolis, is topped off by the figure of a flying angel bearing a cross. The majestic view of the needle and the cathedral from across the Neva, is a favorite of locals and tourists alike. The clock for the bell tower was delivered in 1720 from
Holland where it was purchased for 45 thousand rubles.