The westernmost bastion of the fortress is named after Nikita Zotov, and defends the fortress from approaches from the Kronverk straits. On its eastern side the bastion abuts the Nikolskaya curtain, while the Vasilievskaya curtain connects the Zotov bastion to the neighbouring Trubetskoy bastion.
Nikita Zotov had been one of tsar Peter's first tutors. He hadn't come into that position easily – he had to pass examination from Simeon Polotsky – theologian, poet, and educator of the children of tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Zotov took an innovative approach to his work. In addition to teaching the young tsar grammar and the holy Psalter, he bravely introduced the basics of science, by means of an “Entertaining book with illustrations”. The young tsar grew to love Zotov dearly, and used to call him “uncle Nicky”.
This beloved tutor of the tsar was co-opted into supervising the fortress's construction, and did all he could to further his young protege's project. But after ten years of sterling service, this poor old man, who was by now over 70, began to lose his reason. He set upon the idea to marry the widow of captain Stremoukhov, mistress Anna. The tsar was initially unwilling to go along with this eccentric whim, but eventually thought “Well, why not?” And he arranged that this peculiar wedding of his beloved old friend went off in suitable style. However, Zotov didn't live to see the completion of the fortress, passing away in 1718.
The casements of the Zotov bastion housed the sleeping quarters of the garrison guard, and also the premises of the Secret chancellery – Peter's secret police. Offenders could be held here in solitary confinement. Later the bastion became home to various activities, including workshops, the metal-workshops of the fortress engineers, the provisions warehouse, the barracks of the garrison artillery, the treasury archives, and even the commissariat of explorations.
Nowadays the Zotov bastion houses a museum display of the history of the fortress itself.
File:Равелин Петропавловской крепости https://goo.gl/r6fhoc
Author:Andrew Butko https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Butko
License:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en
Nikita Zotov had been one of tsar Peter's first tutors. He hadn't come into that position easily – he had to pass examination from Simeon Polotsky – theologian, poet, and educator of the children of tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Zotov took an innovative approach to his work. In addition to teaching the young tsar grammar and the holy Psalter, he bravely introduced the basics of science, by means of an “Entertaining book with illustrations”. The young tsar grew to love Zotov dearly, and used to call him “uncle Nicky”.
This beloved tutor of the tsar was co-opted into supervising the fortress's construction, and did all he could to further his young protege's project. But after ten years of sterling service, this poor old man, who was by now over 70, began to lose his reason. He set upon the idea to marry the widow of captain Stremoukhov, mistress Anna. The tsar was initially unwilling to go along with this eccentric whim, but eventually thought “Well, why not?” And he arranged that this peculiar wedding of his beloved old friend went off in suitable style. However, Zotov didn't live to see the completion of the fortress, passing away in 1718.
The casements of the Zotov bastion housed the sleeping quarters of the garrison guard, and also the premises of the Secret chancellery – Peter's secret police. Offenders could be held here in solitary confinement. Later the bastion became home to various activities, including workshops, the metal-workshops of the fortress engineers, the provisions warehouse, the barracks of the garrison artillery, the treasury archives, and even the commissariat of explorations.
Nowadays the Zotov bastion houses a museum display of the history of the fortress itself.
File:Равелин Петропавловской крепости https://goo.gl/r6fhoc
Author:Andrew Butko https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Butko
License:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en
