Ivangorod is a town and a fortress in Leningrad region on the eastern bank of the river Narova. On the other side of Narova, on what is nowadays Estonian territory, there’s an older Livonian fortress of Narva. Ivangorod has seen many battles on its grounds and has been associated with some remarkable people such as Ivan the Terrible and Tito.

1492 The foundations of Ivangorod fortress are laid under the reign of Ivan III in order to secure the natural border between Russia and Livonia formed by the river. The fortress is also meant to serve as a base for Russian merchants and craftsmen active in the Baltic region. The building work is started according to detailed plans drawn up at least in part by Italian military engineers. The first completed section is a rectangular fort with four towers. The strict geometry is something not typical of Russian forts at the time.

1498 The construction work continues and the Great Boyar Town with its seven towers now covers up to 25 000 sq.m. In the XV and XVI centuries several battles are fought in the fortress.

1507-09 The fortress is mostly completed and its area is now about 40000 sq.m. surrounded by thick walls. There are altogether 15 towers raging in height from 15 to 25 metres. There are also special features in Ivangorod, such as the secret water reservoir and different traps for invaders in case they somehow should conquer the walls.

1509-58 Some additional defences are erected, but already in the bastion style: Boyar Rampart, Battery, and Cache. Churches made of stone includeThe Resurrection Cathedral with a side-altar (1507-1509) and St. Nikolas church (1557-1558).

1557 The Livonian war is started by Ivan IV who leads the troops from Ivangorod over the river and to Narva. The second half of the XVI century is then spent with both Russians and Swedes in turn overtaking the fortress.

1613 Along with the territory of northern Estonia of today, Ivangorod is conquered by Sweden. During the period of Swedish occupation the Swedes raise new buildings, for instance the arsenal (1695-1698). An earth defence of the bastion type was erected in front of the bridge. The Northern War begins in 1700 and Ivangorod is again soon lost back to Peter the Great.

In the XIX century fortress takes part in action during the Crimean War. The Russian revolution also touches Ivangorod, but the fortress is left almost unscathed. Ivangorod belongs to Estonian Republic in 1920s and 30s.

1941-44 During World War II Ivangorod fortress is badly damaged, several towers and some parts of walls are destroyed.

In 1964 the restoration work began, but it had to be terminated due to funding shortage in 1994. Both completed and planned restoration works are however well documented. The fortress has been officially protected as part of national heritage since 1986. At the same time its usage as a tourist and museum site has been developed.

Along with thematic guided tours there are also yearly musical festivals and celebrations, theatre seasons and youth camps organized in Ivangorod. In addition to the fortress itself you may also like to visit Merchant Orlov’s House, whose permanent exhibition is dedicated to fortification and military architecture of north-western Russia and includes both historical documents, archaeological findings and scale models. The museum also houses art collections and exhibits of local tradition and lore. Nearby you’ll find The Holy Trinity Church (1872), the family tomb of the Stieglitz barons, and Narova Waterfalls famous for their record amounts of water. The waterfalls can only be observed during spring and autumn.