Khlynovsky Kremlin: a lost monument of Russian architecture with a complicated history

In the Middle Ages in Rus fortifications were originally built of wood. This resource in most regions was available in unlimited quantities. For this reason, many early fortresses have not survived to this day. The Khlynovsky Kremlin is an old defensive structure, from which only memories remain today.

History of the construction of the Khlynovsky Kremlin

Modern researchers agree that the Kremlin in the town of Hlynov was built in the middle of the fifteenth century. At that time, the Vyatka Republic was part of the Galician coalition, which was fighting against Moscow. For this reason, the construction of the fortress was a necessary measure of protection. Khlynovsky Kremlin was erected 300 meters from the ancient Vyatka ancient settlement, founded in the XII century. The place was chosen not by chance.

Along the perimeter, the fortress was protected not only by walls with towers, but also by natural barriers. From the east and south the Kremlin was protected by a deep ravine and steep bank of the river. On two other sides an artificial ditch was dug. Initially, the Kremlin had five towers, three of which were travel. In addition, the fortress wall had two chopped towns and three outputs for the squeaks. The towers of the Khlynovsky Kremlin were named: Spasskaya, Voskresenskaya, Bogoyavlenskaya, Nikolskaya and Pokrovskaya.

Periods of prosperity and decline of the fortress in Hlynov

In 1489 the Vyatka Republic was incorporated into the Moscow State. At the same time, the Khlynovsky Kremlin (Kirov - the modern name of the city of Khlynov) remains an important strategic object. Fortification building is constantly strengthened and slightly rebuilt. In the sixteenth century attention is paid to the borders of the village. Initially, they are fortified with a wooden palisade and a moat.

In the second half of the seventeenth century, the borders of the village were expanded. For their protection, various structures were erected: ditches, earth walls, towns, and conclusions. In 1700th in the city there was a strong fire, which destroyed a significant part of the wooden building. After 20 years, the erection of a stone wall was started. By that time the Khlynovsky Kremlin was losing its military significance. The new wall serves as a watchdog for the archbishop's house. At the end of the eighteenth century, completely preserved fragments of the old wooden fortress were demolished.

"Decorative Kremlin"

In the 1840s the stone Khlynovsky Kremlin was rebuilt several times. Approximately at the same time (at the turn of the XVIII-XIX centuries) a complex of stone church buildings was formed on the territory of the destroyed wooden fortress. It housed the Trinity Cathedral, the house of the Archbishop, the Transfiguration Monastery. By the end of the XIX century, a fence was built with turrets. The fence was built on the site where once stood the ancient fortress walls.

In the thirties of the twentieth century, all the constructions of the "new" Kremlin, also called "decorative", were destroyed. Near the Zasnogo ravine, two standard houses were erected, the basement floors of which were rebuilt from the remnants of the white stone fence. Since then, the Khlynovsky Kremlin is a history preserved only in ancient legends and ancient drawings.

Modern reminders of the former greatness of the Khlynovsky Kremlin

Due to the numerous reconstructions and various disasters today in the city, once called Khlynov, there are very few ancient monuments of architecture. While walking through the historical center, you can see only fragments of the earth wall, which once strengthened the border of the village. Nowadays, there are only three such historical places. Personally, you can touch the history of the city in the children's park "Appolo" (south-western part), behind the cinema "Victory" (today in this building is the club "Gaudi-Hall") and near the city secondary school № 22. Not far from the places where the fragments of the township were preserved, once towers were located. Be sure to visit the city museum of local lore, if you want to know what the Khlynovsky Kremlin looked like. Kirov is the modern name of the city, which was once marked on maps as Khlynov. Especially to go here for the sake of acquaintance with the remains of the posadskogo shaft does not make sense. But if you have the opportunity, be sure to visit the local attractions. Do not forget to buy a couple of postcards with images of the ancient panoramas of the city.