Pskov

Pskov is one of the oldest cities in Russia, first mentioned in the Laurentian Chronicle under 903. In 1348-1510 it was the capital of the independent Pskov Republic. In 1510 it was annexed to the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Until the beginning of the 18th century, Pskov was one of the largest cities in Russia and Europe, the most important defensive and commercial center of the country. The Pskov fortress, consisting of five fortress rings (three of which have been preserved to this day), made Pskov almost impregnable.

Population

Pskov is the largest city in the Pskov region. As of January 1, 2021, in terms of population, the city was in 95th place out of 1116 cities of the Russian Federation.

Population: 209,426 (2021)

Founding of the city, history and legends

It is impossible to indicate the exact date of the foundation of the city - the first mention of it in the "Tale of Bygone Years" refers to 903, but how long the city (or settlement) of Pskov existed until then is unknown. It is certain that in the 6th century there were already settlements of the Krivichi Slavs on Pskov land.

Two main legends about the founding of the city are associated with the name of Grand Duchess Olga, the wife of Prince Igor and the first Russian saint, who was baptized with the name Elena. According to one of these legends, Prince Igor was captivated by the beauty and wisdom of a young carrier across the Velikaya River - the future princess earned her dowry with such a difficult craft. The second legend tells how Olga, after receiving Holy Baptism, while traveling around the Pskov lands, saw a sign - three beams falling from the sky, converging on a high cape, at the confluence of the Velikaya and Pskov rivers. Considering this a sign of God, the Grand Duchess exclaimed, “In this place there will be a temple of the Holy Trinity and a great, glorious and abundant city!..” This is how the Trinity Cathedral arose - an architectural complex from which, according to legend, the whole city grew. This event is attributed to the year 957.

The people of Pskov have long called their city "the home of the Holy Trinity." The stone Trinity Cathedral that has survived to this day on the territory of the Pskov Kremlin was built on the site of that legendary wooden church.

XII - XIII centuries.

The favorable geographical position of Pskov quickly made it a powerful economic center that controls water trade routes. Until the beginning of XII, Pskov was part of Kievan Rus (however, not being a princely patrimony), then it belonged to the Novgorod principality.

At the beginning of the 12th century, a Russian saint reigned in Pskov for a short time, Prince Vsevolod (in baptism Gabriel), who was buried in the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

In 1240, Pskov was captured by German and Danish knights, from whom the city was liberated by Alexander Nevsky, after which the famous battle on Lake Peipus (Battle on the Ice) took place, where the knights were finally defeated, and the Crusade against Russia ended.

Since 1266, the Lithuanian prince Dovmont, who converted to Orthodoxy and learned the name Timothy in baptism, won the love and trust of Pskov through successful military campaigns against Lithuania and the Levonian Order. During his thirty-three-year reign in Pskov, the first stone city wall was built, which to this day bears his name (Dovmont's wall, and Dovmont's city inside it). After the death of the Lithuanian prince, who proved his loyalty to the Pskov land and the Orthodox faith, the Lithuanians did not dare to resume their invasions for a long time.

In 1309, the second (“middle”) wall was built, which secured the part of the city that was outside the Dovmont wall. Later, it, in turn, was surrounded by a third wall. Thus, the city was surrounded by three stone walls, which made it an almost impregnable fortress.

XVIII – XIX centuries.

Under Peter I, Pskov doubled its military importance. As a frontier town, it becomes a rallying point for troops and training recruits during the Great Northern War. The king himself visited the city several times, and ordered to strengthen the ancient city walls, as well as pour defensive ramparts.

However, after the peaceful annexation of Livonia to Russia, Pskov loses its strategic value and military significance. Trade with Western countries has practically dried up - thus Pskov also ceases to be a significant economic point. And after the opening of the port in St. Petersburg, he finally loses trade prospects. The fire of 1710 completes the decline of Pskov, which destroyed a huge part of the city's buildings.

After the reorganization of administrative management in Russia, when the state was divided into provinces and provinces, Pskov became a provincial city of the Novgorod province, and in 1776 received the status of a provincial city.

Pskov is not the least important in the war of 1812, when, being a front-line city, it organizes a center for helping the wounded of the Russian army, creates its own militia and forms a cuirassier regiment that went through the entire war. Literally all residents of the city participate in helping the wounded. Those who did not have enough space in a military hospital were often sent home by the people of Pskov. It is also worth noting that the outstanding commander Mikhail Kutuzov, who largely decided the course of the war, came from a family of Pskov nobles.

The 19th century becomes a favorable time in the history of the city. With the construction of the railway linking St. Petersburg and Warsaw, trade is gradually reviving, Pskov is regaining its former glory. The city is growing, stone buildings are being built. The unique development of the city, replete with temples, churches, as well as secular medieval buildings, surrounded by ancient, already crumbling walls, give the city a unique face of a museum city.

Modernity of Pskov

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, most of Pskov's industrial enterprises fell into disrepair and were closed. But the restoration of churches, temples and other monuments of architecture and history began. Most of the churches in the city are currently active.

Nowadays Pskov is a developed industrial city. Several large industries operate here. Also, the city is an unconditional cultural center, rich in theaters, museums and countless unique architectural monuments, which annually attract a large number of Russian and foreign tourists. Pskov was awarded the honorary title of the City of Military Glory, in 2003 the city celebrated the 1100th anniversary of the first mention in the Tale of Bygone Years.

In the modern city there are many parks, gardens and squares, as well as a botanical garden and an arboretum. Literary, theater and music festivals are held in Pskov.

In 2010, Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the creation of the Pskov State University, which united several educational institutions in Pskov and the Pskov region.

Also in 2010, the City Duma approved the modern symbols of the city - the coat of arms and the flag. The basis of the modern Pskov coat of arms is the ancient, historical coat of arms. It depicts a leopard on a blue background, above it is the right hand of God. The emblem is supported by two leopards with swords of the main patrons of the city - Vsevolod and Dovmont. The inscription at the bottom of the coat of arms "We will not give up our honor to anyone" - the military motto of the first Pskov prince Vsevolod-Gabriel - perfectly reflects the milestones of the centuries-old history of the ancient Russian city, an impregnable fortress standing on the border of its country.