The Pskov Kremlin. The city of Pskov - sights. Pskov Kremlin - photo

Pskov is located in the north-western part of Russia, about 690 km from Moscow. In the city there are two rivers: Pskov and Velikaya. The name of this settlement and its homonymous river is similar to the Finno-Finnish and means "tar water". The main decoration of the city is the majestic Pskov Kremlin. In addition to it, you can also see here a lot of stone medieval churches and ancient monasteries.

City `s history

For the first time the city is mentioned in 903, when Prince Igor married Olga. In the annals it was said that she was from Pskov. In the XII century the city became part of the Novgorod lands, and later became an independent center of the Pskov republic. In 1510, this settlement was part of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, and from 1777 became the center of the Pskov province.

From the 10th century until the reign of Peter the Great, Pskov was a fairly well-known city both in Russia and abroad. However, after the founding of St. Petersburg, its development began to decline. In 1944, the city was occupied by the Nazis, which resulted in the destruction of many historical monuments. Its modern appearance is completely due to the restorers and architects, who restored the main sights of Pskov and its environs.

The Local Kremlin: General Characteristics

The Kremlin of Pskov or, as it is also called, Krom is considered a fine example of ancient Russian architecture. It is located on a rocky shore in the place where the Pskov River flows into the Great. This ancient structure consists of two parts: an outer and an inner fortress. The whole area of the Kremlin is similar to a triangle stretched from north to south. It also houses the Trinity Cathedral, erected around 1683-1699, as well as the former Veche Square, where the veche was held before. The cathedral is well seen from the other end of the river. In the south is Dovmont town. Earlier in these places there were many churches and buildings. Now basically you can see only the foundations of the temples, since all of them were destroyed at different times.

The Pskov Kremlin occupies 3 hectares of territory, which is surrounded by fortified stone walls. Here, the running platforms, covered with a wooden roof, remain.

Look inside

In the northern part of the Kremlin there is a 5-tier tower. It is called Kutecroma, and its height is 30 meters. The eastern wall of the Kremlin stretched for 435 meters, and the western wall - for 345 meters.

In the heart of Krom is the five-domed Trinity Cathedral. This building is a quadruple on this place. Initially in the middle of the tenth century there was a wooden temple, which was built by Princess Olga. In the 12th century, by the order of the Pskov prince Vsevolod-Gabriel, a stone structure was established in its place. In the 15th century, instead of it, there was the third Trinity Cathedral, which played a significant role in the development of the architectural traditions of the region. The most recent cathedral was built in 1699 and decorated in the all-Russian traditions. The Pskov Kremlin is a truly unique place. Here relics of saints rest and in a single complex the buildings of different styles and times merge.

History of the Kremlin Pskov

Unfortunately, the chroniclers for some reason did not record when the fortifications of the Kremlin were laid and its first tower was built. It is worth noting that Crom is mentioned in written sources only in 1065. Nevertheless, archeologists note that people came to the shores of Pskov in the first millennium of our era. They engaged in hunting, fishing and even making jewelry. It is believed that the city was founded by Princess Olga. At the same time, based on the found artifacts, we can conclude that by this time Pskov was already a well-formed pagan city with a large population.

Like any other large and prosperous city, Pskov needed reliable protection from enemies. In this regard, and decided to build a powerful and impregnable fortress. The first wooden walls of Krom were placed on the clay shaft in about the 8th and 10th centuries, at least, this fact is told by history. The Pskov Kremlin began to grow gradually. In the X-XIII centuries, stone walls began to be erected here, which were "dry" (without a fastening mortar). The walls, built on a solution, began to appear only in the XIII century and adjoined the shaft outside. Later, the construction of new towers began, the strengthening of the walls and their building in height.

Crom's fate from the 12th to the 16th century

The first was erected the tower Smerdia (later Dovmontova). She was on the left side, near the only city gate at that time. However, the city was developing rapidly, and there was an urgent need for the construction of the second city gate. In this regard appeared Trinity (or Great) Gate, which have survived to our days.

In 1337 the most powerful wall of Crom was renewed. During this period, the road to the Kremlin was expanded, and the Great Gates opening was enlarged. In 1400-1401 two more towers were completed. In general, the Pskov Kremlin was fortified in the 15th century 2 times. In this period also appeared another tower - Vlasyevskaya. It is located on the corner of the Dovmont city. It became a kind of checkpoint: it was here that all foreigners arriving to the city were being monitored.

The last tower - Flat - was erected in 1500 and is considered the most picturesque. It stands near the confluence of the Pskov River in the Great. In 1510, Pskov became part of the Moscow Principality. In the 16th century, Krom became the seat of the spiritual authority of the city - first the lord, and then the metropolitan. In the Kremlin there were "sovereigns barns" and ammunition was stored. In 1537 at the mouth of Pskov, the Lower Grids were put up, which closed the river bed. In the middle of the XVI century on the Trinity Tower there were city clocks, but it collapsed in 1787 and was restored only in 1988.

From the 18th century to the present day

Under Peter I the Pskov Kremlin (a photo of this majestic structure you can well consider below) continued to perform a defensive function. In general, it remained a reliable defensive border of the north-western part of Russia until the end of the XVIII century. Until the 20th century, Krom practically turned into ruins and demanded a serious reconstruction. Large-scale restoration work began only in the 1960s.

Towers of the Pskov Kremlin

The majestic Kremlin has 6 towers:

- Vlasyevka Tower (XV century).

- Rybnitskaya (XV century). Now it is a souvenir shop (in 1780 it was dismantled, and in 1970 the building was recreated in its original form).

- The Middle Tower.

- Trinity, or the Clock (it was reconstructed after full resolution in the XVII century).

- Tower of Kutecroma (1400).

- Smerdy, or Dovmontova tower (since the XIX century this pretty powerful tower was turned into a small "faceted" turret).

Other sights of the city

In addition to the ancient Kremlin, Pskov has a lot of other places, which certainly worth a visit. Many tourists are attracted by the Basil's Cathedral on the hill, which was erected in the 16th century. Earlier, at the foot of the church, a small stream of Zrachka flowed.

Near the church there was also the Vasilyevskaya Tower, in which there was a belfry. According to ancient attribution, a bell hung in it, which informed the inhabitants of the city about the advance of the Tatar-Mongols and other enemies. The global restoration of the temple began in 2009.

Mirozhsky Monastery

Do you wonder what else can surprise the city of Pskov? Attractions can be seen in many places of this village and its environs. For example, here is one of the oldest monasteries in Russia. Its main advantage is pre-Mongolian frescoes made in the 12th century. This building is included by UNESCO in the list of the most outstanding world art monuments.

Pechersky Monastery

The Pskov-Pechersky Monastery is located 50 km from Pskov and was founded by the Monk Iona. This temple is more than 500 years old. Jonah moved here with his family to serve God until the end of his life. He began to cost a cave temple, but at this time his wife got sick and died. After burying her, the next day the saint discovered that her coffin was again on the surface of the earth. After the second commemoration of the burial, he again stood on the ground by the next day. Jonah decided that it was a sign from above, and did not bury his wife.

Since then, the bodies of all the deceased residents of the Pskov province have not been sold to the ground, but left in the crypts. It's amazing, but even though the coffins turned black, the bodies of the deceased almost did not succumb to any modifications since those years. Representatives of many noble families are buried here: Buturlin, Pushkin, Kutuzov, Nazimov, etc. In the monastery there are also such sacred objects as the icon of the Mother of God and the Odigitrios of the Psokovo-Pechora. In addition, it is the largest male monastery in Russia.

What to see yet?

In the northern part of Pskov, on the banks of the Velikaya River, there is the Snegorsky Monastery, dating back to the 13th century. Since 1993, he has become a woman. Not far from here is the functioning church of Peter and Paul.

Nevertheless, this is not all the amazing places that Pskov can show you. Sights, photos of which are touched by the view, are closely connected with the history of the city and with its famous residents. There is a monument to Princess Olga, a monument "Two Captains", a composition "Poet and Peasant Woman", as well as a sculpture in honor of the 300th anniversary of the defense from the troops of Khan Batory and much more.

Pskov is a very picturesque city with a rich history. After visiting the Kremlin, it seems that you are touching the heroic and great history of your country. The walls of the fortress have seen much, experienced both the joyous and sad times of this region, but in spite of everything we have survived to the present day. When you see the ancient shrines, you will feel a sense of peace and tranquility in your soul. Enjoying the beautiful scenery and nature of this region, you definitely can not forget it ever.

All that you need for an exciting trip is a Pskov map with attractions, comfortable shoes and a cheerful company!