Castles and fortifications |
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Izborsk
Fortress
The Izborsk fortress is located 30 km west of Pskov. The fortress itself together with the surrounding valley forms a unique natural and historical complex. The ensemble of the valley has preserved its layout and town structure, traditional peasant settlements and estates, archaeological monuments of different centuries. Izborsk is one of the most ancient towns in northwestern Russia. In legends about Varangian princes who came to govern Russia in 862 Izborsk is mentioned as one of their capital towns. The chronicles of the XVI century describe Izborsk as an urban centre comparable in importance to Pskov.
In the 11th century Izborsk's an outpost in the northwest of Russia, a small stone fortress. In some 200 years it becomes clear this structure isn't sufficient.
1330 a new fortress is completed on a nearby hill. The town is transferred along with the fortress and is growing in size.
The fortress is the shape of an irregular triangle. In the beginning of the XIV century the fortress consists of walls and one single tower. The steep hill sides make defence easier, and on the southwest, where the ground levels out, there are ditches dug and barriers added. There's a secret passage leading to a spring outside the city walls. The St Nicholas Cathedral is founded in XIV century. The cathedral represents the earliest stages of Pskovian church architecture.
During the 1340s and -60s there are many attacks and attempts at siege, but the fortress never gives in.
In the XV century Pskovian lands are separated from Nogorod. Izborsk plays an important part in keeping the Livonian knights at bay. By the end of the century the increasingly strained political situation together with spreading use of firearms makes it necessary to strengthen the fortress with more towers. Altogether there are six of them preserved, five round ones and a rectangular. Four towers are attached to the western wall, Temnushka (Dark) Tower and Ryabinovka (Rowan) Tower are stand in the south-western part of the fortress. In the southeast there's the Bell-Tower (Kolokolnaya). The present height of towers varies between 13 and 19 metres. The towers allowed for continuing defence action even with possible enemy already in town. There are two gates and three hidden passageways leading into Izborsk. The gates are furnished with a clever double-wall structure, which makes any attack particularly difficult.
1406 and 1480 Siege attempts during which the surrounding villages are destroyed.
1510 Pskov and Izborsk are incorporated into Muscovite Russia. The Moscow authorities sent their defenders to Izborsk.
During the XVI century the people of Izborsk take part in Livonian war (1558-82). Izborsk is seized by Lithuanian troops in 1569, but as an important strategic point it is regained by the Russians in just a few weeks. In 1570 Ivan the Terrible visits Izborsk. The town is once again under Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth rule during 1581-82.
During the XVII century the fortress is still being modernized and improved, as it still has military significance. After the Treaty of Nystad, however, the border is moved distant from Izborsk. Gradually Izborsk begins to sink in scale. By the end of the XVIII century it's turned into a very small town of no importance.
In the XIX century the belfry is added to the cathedral. The fortress is measured and documented for the first time. Some fragmentary restoration work is carried out.
The most recent period of intensive architectural and archaeological investigation and documentation was 2000-2001. The restoration work was taken up again.
Museum-reserve "Izborsk" offers different thematic tours, exhibitions and festivals. People of Izborsk celebrate Maslenitsa, Midsummer Night (Ivan Kupala) and the town day (The "On the Wall" Fest. The handicraft fare is a regular event. The museums are open daily from 9 till 5 p.m. and from 11 till 19 p.m. during the holiday season.
In the 11th century Izborsk's an outpost in the northwest of Russia, a small stone fortress. In some 200 years it becomes clear this structure isn't sufficient.
1330 a new fortress is completed on a nearby hill. The town is transferred along with the fortress and is growing in size.
The fortress is the shape of an irregular triangle. In the beginning of the XIV century the fortress consists of walls and one single tower. The steep hill sides make defence easier, and on the southwest, where the ground levels out, there are ditches dug and barriers added. There's a secret passage leading to a spring outside the city walls. The St Nicholas Cathedral is founded in XIV century. The cathedral represents the earliest stages of Pskovian church architecture.
During the 1340s and -60s there are many attacks and attempts at siege, but the fortress never gives in.
In the XV century Pskovian lands are separated from Nogorod. Izborsk plays an important part in keeping the Livonian knights at bay. By the end of the century the increasingly strained political situation together with spreading use of firearms makes it necessary to strengthen the fortress with more towers. Altogether there are six of them preserved, five round ones and a rectangular. Four towers are attached to the western wall, Temnushka (Dark) Tower and Ryabinovka (Rowan) Tower are stand in the south-western part of the fortress. In the southeast there's the Bell-Tower (Kolokolnaya). The present height of towers varies between 13 and 19 metres. The towers allowed for continuing defence action even with possible enemy already in town. There are two gates and three hidden passageways leading into Izborsk. The gates are furnished with a clever double-wall structure, which makes any attack particularly difficult.
1406 and 1480 Siege attempts during which the surrounding villages are destroyed.
1510 Pskov and Izborsk are incorporated into Muscovite Russia. The Moscow authorities sent their defenders to Izborsk.
During the XVI century the people of Izborsk take part in Livonian war (1558-82). Izborsk is seized by Lithuanian troops in 1569, but as an important strategic point it is regained by the Russians in just a few weeks. In 1570 Ivan the Terrible visits Izborsk. The town is once again under Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth rule during 1581-82.
During the XVII century the fortress is still being modernized and improved, as it still has military significance. After the Treaty of Nystad, however, the border is moved distant from Izborsk. Gradually Izborsk begins to sink in scale. By the end of the XVIII century it's turned into a very small town of no importance.
In the XIX century the belfry is added to the cathedral. The fortress is measured and documented for the first time. Some fragmentary restoration work is carried out.
The most recent period of intensive architectural and archaeological investigation and documentation was 2000-2001. The restoration work was taken up again.
Museum-reserve "Izborsk" offers different thematic tours, exhibitions and festivals. People of Izborsk celebrate Maslenitsa, Midsummer Night (Ivan Kupala) and the town day (The "On the Wall" Fest. The handicraft fare is a regular event. The museums are open daily from 9 till 5 p.m. and from 11 till 19 p.m. during the holiday season.
