Porkhov, an ancient city located in the Pskov region, enjoys an incredible popularity among tourists. And this is not surprising, because its main attraction is the Porkhiv fortress. This is a unique defensive structure, which has survived to the present day in a fairly good condition.
Historical reference
The city of Porkhov was founded by Prince Alexander Yaroslavich, who later became famous as Alexander Nevsky. In the middle of the 13th century, the problem of strengthening the borders of the Novgorod lands became urgent. At that time the neighbors were regularly raiding the Russian principality, in this region the problem of regular military actions by Lithuanians was most acute. The Porkhiv fortress was founded in 1239. If we believe the surviving documents, the defenses originally represented an earthen rampart with wooden walls. Such protection was not enough, already in 1387 the fortress was rebuilt in a stone version. Over time, there was a need to increase the thickness of the walls, and in 1430 a large-scale completion was carried out. Since then, significant restructuring has not been carried out, and today tourists can observe the original defensive structure, the construction of which was conducted in 1387-1430. In this case, the thickness of the walls in places reaches 4.5 meters.
Architecture of the Porkhov Kremlin
If you look at the fortress walls, you can see that the fortress has a contour of a pentagon of irregular shape. This architectural solution can be explained very simply - the reinforcement was erected along the contour of the natural landscape, repeating the local elevation. The Kremlin had four towers, one of which has not survived to this day. During the construction of the fortress Porkhov was reliably protected by a river from two sides. Today, the level of groundwater has fallen, the ancient walls are some distance from the pond. On the east side there were originally three towers: Nikolskaya, Pskov and Middle. At the central gate of the fortress there were also special defensive structures - zahabs. Until now, the Pskov Tower has not survived, but it is widely believed that it was a complete or partial copy of Nikolskaya. On the north side, the fortress wall is fortified with a small tower, which really differs from the others in a smaller size, but it has as many as four tiers.
Nikolskaya Tower and other religious objects
The city of Porkhov in the Pskov region boasts one of its symbols-the Nikol tower. This is a unique structure in architecture, or rather, today in Russia there are only two defensive structures with bells (the second - in Rostov). Nikolskaya Tower is crowned with the bell tower of the St. Nicholas Cathedral, which is located nearby. The temple is also perfectly preserved, restored and today is operational. Many residents who inhabit the Porkhov Pskov region, visit the shrine, guided by their religious feelings. Especially for them, there is always an additional, church entrance to the Kremlin. Near the St. Nicholas Church there is also a small modern chapel, consecrated in honor of Alexander Nevsky. Another shrine is on the west side, near the fortress wall. This is a cross, installed in memory of the Orthodox soldiers who died during the battle with the Lithuanians.
Facts and legends about the fortress in Porkhov
In the XVIII century, the fortress was no longer suitable for use in its original purpose. Moreover, the collapsing walls were considered dangerous for people. It was decided to disassemble the fort. The Porkhiv fortress had every chance to disappear forever from the face of the Earth and reached our time only by pure chance. It was necessary to prepare complex documentation: estimates and plans for the eradication of the structure. Because of the difficulty in preparing these papers, it was decided to remove only some fragments of the fortress, recognized as the most dangerous. It is thanks to such a typically Russian bureaucracy that today we have the opportunity to admire the ancient architectural monument. Modern restoration work was carried out at the end of the 20th century and was more cosmetic in nature.
Today the Porkhov Kremlin is a tourist attraction open to tourists and turned into a large open-air museum. Many legends and legends are associated with the fortress. The most popular of them tell us that once under the stone walls there was a whole system of underground passages and hiding places, and one tunnel passed just below the riverbed and had access to the local cemetery. There is also a tragic-romantic story about a princess imprisoned in a dungeon by her own mother. It is believed that the ghost of the girl could be seen from time to time near the walls of the Kremlin.
Actual information for tourists
Visit the museum complex in the open air can be any day, except Monday, from 10.00 to 18.00. The entrance fee is paid, but its value is symbolic - from 20 rubles. A little more expensive will cost a group excursion. Also, everyone can climb to the walls of the fortress. On the territory of the architectural and museum complex the museum of local lore works. The very same territory of the Kremlin resembles a botanical garden - there is a well-organized garden, thanks to which the Porkhov fortress seems even more magnificent.
How to get there? It's quite simple: from Pskov there are regular buses to Porkhov. To get to the regional center is most convenient from Moscow and St. Petersburg by train.
Other places of interest in Porkhov
Most tourists come to Porkhov only for the sake of the local Kremlin. And yet try to allocate enough time for a guided tour. On the territory of the fortress there is a mail museum, house-museum of Kalachov BP - the head of the local underground. Also during the walk you can see a lot of sculptures and a very touching monument to the storks. Remember and that the ancient fortress wall deserves close attention - do not be too lazy to go around it from the inside and outside, and then a lot of new impressions are guaranteed to you. In every corner of this building are hidden their secrets, and the landscapes for admiring here are just an incredible amount.