At the turn of the 17-18th centuries, the further economic, cultural, and political development of the Russian state became impossible without having access to the sea and gaining a firm foothold on the Baltic coast. “Water space is what Russia needs”, Peter I said repeatedly. Therefore, the motives for the future war of Russia against Sweden became extremely clear: to return the original Russian lands and “to open a window to Europe”.

During the Northern War with the Swedes, the young Russian fleet achieved several brilliant victories. Russia became a strong naval power. Then, Peter I decided to transport a small wooden boat from Moscow, which he used to navigate along the Yauza River and Pereyaslavl Lake when he was a little boy. In 1723, a small sailing and rowing ship solemnly arrived in the new capital. It was placed on the territory of the Peter and Paul Fortress, where a special shed was built for it. The boat of Peter I is often affectionately called the “grandfather of the Russian fleet”.

In 1761, the boat was moved to a small pavilion on the territory of the fortress – the Boathouse, which was built near the bell tower of the Peter and Paul Cathedral by the architect A.F. Whist. When designing the house, the architect did not calculate the size of the door opening – the doorway and the walls of the house had to be dismantled in order to bring the boat inside. The pavilion was specifically built to display the small boat, thus its museum function was immediately determined. The ship was kept in the Boathouse from 1761 to 1931, then it was transported to Peterhof; in 1940 it was moved to the Central Naval Museum, but a 1/10 life-size copy of this ship is still kept in the Boathouse.

The appearance of the house reflects the transition from the decorative baroque style to the austere classicism style: simple facades, strict porticos, high windows with arched architraves are combined with a fashioned roof. A statue created in 1891 was installed on the roof of the house – it represents an allegorical image of navigation (sculptor D. Jensen).

Currently, the Boathouse hosts various exhibitions dedicated to the history and culture of St. Petersburg. Here, visitors of the Peter and Paul Fortress can get acquainted with a rich collection of exhibits of the Museum of the History of St. Petersburg. Despite numerous remodellings, all the buildings of the fortress form a cohesive and elaborate ensemble and become the museum “exhibits” as well.