Pskov fortress: history and reviews

In the north-west of Russia extends a vast territory, from the XI century mentioned in the annals as the Pskov principality. Since in those old times, when it was born and strengthened, life flowed uneasily, it was decided to wall out settlements with solid walls. Hence they began to be called their cities, and where the walls were particularly strong - fortresses. About some of them remained only a memory, but those fortresses of the Pskov region, which were destined to live up to our days, and to this day stand as majestic monuments of their era.

Birth of the city-fortress

The largest and most famous fortification structure of this region is the Pskov Fortress, a photo of which can be seen in the article. The exact date of its laying in a strategically important place at the confluence of the Great and Pskov rivers is unknown. Also erased from the pages of history and the founding of the city itself. But the first annalistic mention of it dates back to 903. In the "Tale of Bygone Years" chronicler Nestor, talking about the marriage of Prince Igor, reports that his wife was brought to him "from Pskov."

Over time, the Pskov fortress grew, and under Ivan the Terrible (the 16th century) was rightfully considered one of the largest and most powerful in Russia, built by the same rules of fortification. By that time, Pskov itself had spread its borders, becoming the third city of Russia, allowing only Moscow and Novgorod to pass ahead. From documents of those years it is known that in his district there were forty monasteries and as many parish churches.

Unapproachable citadel

Initially, the Pskov fortress was surrounded by wooden and earthen walls, built directly on the ramparts. In the middle of the XIII century, in connection with the beginning of the Tatar-Mongol invasion, they were replaced by stone ones, and after two centuries the role of artillery increased, four dozen towers were strengthened.

The area of the fortress was more than two square kilometers and was surrounded by five belt walls, which had a length of nine kilometers and cut through fourteen gates. The fortress walls were also protected by wall towers, and the viability - numerous underground passages.

Miracle solution

It should be noted that the Pskov fortress was built on the basis of advanced technology for those times. Its walls and towers were erected from limestone blocks, fastened with a particularly strong lime mortar, the secret of which was kept secret. Today it is known that lime for its production for many years was extinguished in special pits, and then in strictly defined proportions mixed with sand.

A binding solution was obtained, which did not lose its qualities even after five centuries. Additional strength was given to the buildings by external coating, similar in technology to modern plaster, but made of a more durable material.

Stone belt of the fortress

The core of the Pskov fortress - the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the adjacent veche area - was surrounded by the first defensive wall, called Detinets, or Krom (the Kremlin). This is the oldest part of the fortress. It was built in the XI century.

The second fortress wall, named Dovmontova by the name of the influential Pskov prince Dovmont, surrounded the territory that is now part of the Kremlin. In the thirteenth century, it housed various administrative buildings, most of which were stone, thanks to which their grounds were discovered during archaeological excavations.

Wall posadnika Boris

As it often happened in the history of cities, around the fortress walls and under their protection settlements quickly grew up, in which handicraft settlements and markets were arranged. They were called posadami, and as they grew, they were also protected by lines of defensive structures.

It was for this purpose that the third fortress wall was built, which received the name of one of the initiators of its construction, the posadnik Boris. It was a very reliable structure, surrounded by a deep moat on the outside. Territory, which turned out to be under its protection, was called "zastenie", and eventually the word "old" was added to this name.

The walls that completed the construction of the fortress

This wall stood until the middle of the XV century, after which a significant part of it was demolished, since the posad by that time had grown, and for its safety it was necessary to build another line of fortifications. This new construction - the Wall of the Middle City (the fourth by the bill), was erected parallel to its predecessor - the Wall of Boris's posadnik, and all the enclosed territory became known as the "New Zasteni". The Pskov fortress was also reliably protected from the side of the Pskov River. Here it was covered by a wall, the beginning of construction of which dates back to 1404 year.

And, finally, the last - the fifth ring of bastions - was erected in such a way that inside it was not only a significant part of the city, but, and very importantly, part of the Pskov River. As a result, the Pskov fortress, whose history at that time had been counted for nearly five centuries, had become practically unattainable for the enemy. Her defenders were not threatened by hunger or thirst, as the river provided them with fish and water.

The end of the stronghold of the citadel

The last phase of the active construction of the fortress took place at the beginning of the XVIII century, when, on the orders of Peter I, she was hurriedly preparing for the Northern War. During these years, many redoubts and various external fortifications were erected.

Unfortunately, their construction was often carried out to the detriment of the previous buildings, as when building materials were short, temples and towers were dismantled. After the signing of the Nystadt Peace Treaty in 1721, which ended the war with Sweden, the Pskov citadel lost its military significance and eventually fell into decay.

Fortress, transformed into a museum complex

During the fifties and sixties of the twentieth century, archaeological excavations and restoration and restoration work were carried out on the territory of the Pskov fortress on the project of the Leningrad Hermitage. Today Pskov and its fortress are among the most popular tourist routes.

The high, truly European level of service for tourists is eloquently evidenced by the records left in the book of the visitors of the museum-preserve, as well as on its Internet sites. In most of them there is a high professionalism and general erudition of guides who conducted excursions. Thanks to them, visitors could mentally become witnesses of the history of our Motherland, one of the main centers of which was once Pskov.

The reviews are also full of words of gratitude for the care that was shown towards the groups whose visit to the historical places of Pskov and its region was not limited to one day. At their disposal were provided hotels that met the highest requirements, and transportation was carried out on modern comfortable buses.

Izborsk Fortress (Pskov Region)

Continuing the conversation about the ancient fortifications of the Pskov region, we can not fail to mention the fortress, the construction of which is connected with the founding of the city of Izborsk, according to researchers, dating back to the VII-VIII century. When three centuries later it grew into a large trade and craft center, the wooden and earthen walls of the fortress were replaced by stone ones.

The Izborsk fortress (Pskov region) has seen a lot in its time, and a lot of tragic pages fell on its share. In the first half of the 13th century, it was twice occupied by German knights, and only the victory of Alexander Nevsky, which he gained in 1242 on Lake Peipsi, helped to finally drive them out .

A century later the defenders of the fortress heroically opposed the siege of the Livonian knights, and in 1367 drove away from their walls the Germans, who tried to penetrate the city with the help of battle rams. During the Time of Troubles, the fortress was unassailable for the troops of the Lithuanian nobleman Alexander Lisovsky, but after the end of the Northern War, she, like her Pskov sister, lost military significance and gradually fell into decay.

Fortress of the city of Kaporye

Another interesting monument of medieval defensive architecture is located in Kaporye (Pskov region). The fortress, which is in this city and bearing its name, was built in 1237 by the Knights of the Livonian Order, but four years later they were repulsed by the troops of Prince Alexander Nevsky. It was destroyed many times and rebuilt. The first time it happened in 1282 as a result of the rebellion of the Novgorodians against Prince Dmitry Alexandrovich, who tried to hide behind them behind the fortress walls.

Subsequently, she was repeatedly captured by the Swedes, but each time returned to the hands of their former owners. The last owner of the fortress was the splendid prince Alexander Danilovich Menshikov, who received it as a gift from Peter I. However, after the death of his crowned patron, he fell into disgrace, the fortress was confiscated, and she went to the treasury.

Unlike other fortresses of Russia, Kaporye has never been restored, and its territory has never been reconstructed. As a result, today the fortress is in an extremely neglected state, but, on the other hand, as the art historians believe, it allowed to preserve in its original form many of the features of its architecture.