PSKOV

Pskov is a rich treasury of Russian culture, with many architectural and archeological masterpieces.  Today can still be seen the rarest monuments of Old Russian architecture, fortification, civil and cultural, as well as wonderful paintings, such as the world famous frescos of Mirozhsky Monastery (12th c), Snetogorsky Nunnery (14th c) and Meletovo Monastery (15th c).

A pearl of Old Russian architecture is the Pskov Kremlin, the capital of the Veche Republic, crowned by the Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Krom (fortress) dates back to the 10th century, when on a narrow headland about 16 metres above the waters of the Vwlikkaya and Pskova, the first stone walls were raised.  A centre of administration and crafts developed within the fortress walls, while a large trading quarter with a market square spread alongside them.

Annually the city welcomes thousands of tourists and pilgrims from Russia and abroad, who come to see the might and beauty of the Pskov Kremlin with the multiple towers, Daumantas’ Settlement and the main symbol of the city, the Trinity Cathedral, the highest construction in Pskov.

Pskov is proud of the Cathedral of Transfiguration of Christ in Mirozhsky Monastery. Dating back to 1153, the Cathedral of Transfiguration of Christ is listed by UNESCO among the monuments of global significance.

The monument to Prince Alexander Nevsky is one of the brightest and significant sites of the Pskov regional monumental art. The monument is commemorated to the Ice Battle of 1242.

Pskov Region
It is to the Pskov area that the lives and creative work of many of Russian cultural figures are connected. A.S.Pushkin, the genius of the Russian poetry created his works here.

Located 120 km away from Pskov, the Pushkin MuseumPreserve is known worldwide. In the Svyatogorsky Monastery there is the grave of the poet. The museum preserve also includes three estates connected with Pushkin’s name: Mikhaylovskoye, Trigorskoye and Petrovskoye.

The memorial estates of the great Russian composers, M.L. Mussorgsky and N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov are carefully preserved in the Pskov Land. Here are the sites tied to the life of Great Princess Olga. This chapel on the bank of River Velikaya, established at the place, where, as the story has it, the Great Princess was given the miraculous omen: three bright rays piercing the sky and meeting on top a rocky cape. And on that cape she ordered to be erected a temple in the name of the Holy Trinity.

The two ancient fortresses of Old Izborsk (14th century, 30km from Pskov) and Pechory (16th century, 90km from Pskov) are preserved. The Izborsk Preserve is a unique combination of historical and archeological sites..  This is the place, where the Russian history started and the first encounters with other nations took place, the place where, even now, cultures, customs and faiths are intertwining.

In Old Izborsk archeologists discovered a Slavic settlement of the 9th century. The Izborsk-Malsk valley is known as a unique landscape and historical monument with a natural phenomenon known as the Slavic Springs, that have flowed for at least a thousand years. Of old they are spoken of as curative and miraculous: one brings ‘health’, another one ‘happiness’ and the third one ‘assists in love’.

Within the Orthodox Sanctuaries of Izborsk, pilgrim tour visitors can discover for themselves the unique orthodox sanctuaries of Izborsk and its environs, temples of the 15-18th centuries: Izborsk fortress on top of the Zhuravya Hill, Truvor Settlement, St. Nicholas Cathedral, as well as many other places of interest, including the multiple chapels and the rocky springs, honoured in the orthodox world.

In Pechory, Holy Dormition Orthodox Monastery with an in-cave necropolis is in use. The monastery is located in a picturesque valley with sand caverns and is a large spiritual and cultural centre.  It is one of the oldest and largest of Russian monasteries with an uninterrupted history and a wonderful historical architectural ensemble of the 14-19th centuries. The monastery caves, used as a graveyard for monks, serve as burial places for the ancestors of V.N. Tatischev, M.I. Kutuzov, M.P. Mussorgsky and A.S. Pushkin. Today in the monastery there are 11 temples, 3 of them in the caves.

In the Pskov Region, several dozen museums were founded to preserve the history of the land. They have over 400 thousand exhibits, including the unique collections of Old Russian art, fancy silver, decorative appliances, ancient books and manuscripts.

Pskov Historical Architecture and Art Museum dates back to a small museum initiated by the Pskov intelligentsia in 1876. At present the central complex of the museum is located at Nekrasov str. 7and occupies a number of buildings.

Highly skilled ancient Pskov craftsmen produced exquisite icon-painting, frescos, miniature book illustration, jewellery, wood and stone engraving and ceramics. Pskov-crafted ware can be bought in souvenir shops.

There is so much to see in and around Pskov!

How to get there from St Petersburg:
Bus or Train from St Petersburg