Home / Europe / Slavic / East Slavic / Russia / Kremlins, Fortresses, Monasteries / Pskov

Pskov Fortress

First mention about Pskov refers to the year 903 (Primary Chronicle, Laurential Codex). In the X'th – beginning of the XII'th centuries the city is a part of ancient Rus'. From the XII'th century – a part of Novgorod Republic. In XIV-XV'th centuries – center of the Pskov Republic. From 1510 – a part of Grand Duchy of Moscow. In 1581-1582 during the Livonian War stood a half a year siege by Stephen Bathory forces. During Nazi occupation, over 94% of Pskov’s residential areas were destroyed. Krom, or Pskov Kremlin is the most ancient part of the city. There are cathedrals of Mirozhsky (constructed before 1156), Ivanovsky (1243) ans Snetogorsky (1310) monasteries, St. Basil’s on the Hill church (1413), St. Cosmas and Damian church (1463) etc.

The Siege of Pskov continued from August 27, 1581 till February 4, 1582. Suburbs were burnt according to the order of voivode Ivan Shuisky, wooden wall was constructed next to the stone one in Okolny Town, the trench was dug between the walls. Artillery bombardment on September 7-8 succeeded with the creation of a breach, where attackers rushed in. Pskov warriors reflected the attack thanks to the wooden wall. Attackers captured Pokrovskaya and Svinuzskaya towers. All population of the town urged to defend their town: attack was reflected, breach was sealed, Svinuzskaya tower was exploded. Later citizens of Pskov reflected 31 attacks and performed 46 sallies. Second attack was performed on 2 November. It was stopped by artillerymen – ice of the Velikaya River was covered by corpses.

AUTHOR | PAGE | SITE

Pskov was segmented into Kremlin-Gorod, Dovmontov Gorod (or fortress), Sredny Gorod, Krainy or Okolny Gorod and Zapskovye. Okolny Gorod was also referred as Boshoy. Each of these "gorods" was a part of Pskov and had its own fortifications (which divided these gorods from each other) with flagstone walls and towers. Special feature of the Pskov fortification system is defense of not only administrative center of the town, but also of the commercial part. Pskov's fortifications were rebuilt by population of the town, organized into groups by "blocks” and “streets”. Besides towers, passable gates were protected by “zakhabs” – special extensions to obstruct access to the gates for an enemy and save it from artillery fire. Walls of the fortress ended with high and straight merlons with complete passage on the top, covered with the wooden roof. River access could be blocked in two places by heavy oak lattices. Gremyachaya and Pokrovskaya are two round corner towers which are present till our days and speak for the large scope of Pskov’s fortifications. Pokrovskaya tower was constructed as a stronghold and could be fortified independently. Its diameter is 25 m, and its height with five tiers of loopholes is about 15 m.

Cathedral of the Holy Trinity

Троицкий собор

█

Related Pages:

Pskov School

The Pskov architecture is characterized by ascetic simplicity, harmonic combinations of elements and peaceful wholeness - the nature that is said to embody the spirit of the Orthodoxy.

Pskov School - Reconstructions

World War II took a terrible toll on Russian architectural heritage.