- sights
- What to see in the Pskov region
- Vacation with children
- Where to go for free
- Pskov in winter and summer
- Cafes and restaurants
Pskov is a beautiful old city in the northwest of Russia. One of the oldest cities in the country. It was founded in 903 and for a long time remained the most important trade and defense center of this region. After the construction of St. Petersburg and the pushing of the country's borders far to the west, Pskov lost its significance as a defensive outpost. The fate of an ordinary provincial city awaited him, if not for the huge historical, cultural and tourist potential.
Today Pskov is one of the main tourist centers of the North-West region. There is a well-preserved Kremlin (Pskov Krom), many monuments of history and architecture. Not far from Pskov is the Izborsk fortress, founded at the end of the 9th century, well preserved to this day. On the territory of the Pskov region, there is the famous Pechora Monastery - one of the pilgrimage centers in Russia. In addition, the Pskov region is inextricably linked with the name of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin: here is the famous literary reserve "Pushkinskie Gory", which includes the villages of Mikhailovskoe, Trigorskoe and Petrovskoe, in which Pushkin spent time in exile and where he wrote many works.
Pskov has good transport accessibility. From St. Petersburg, you can drive along the E-95 highway in about 4 hours. From Moscow - either through Veliky Novgorod, or through Velikie Luki, travel time is about 9 hours. But it is more convenient - by rail. From St. Petersburg to Pskov there is a high-speed train "Lastochka", the journey time is only 3.5 hours. There is a night train from Moscow.
In the past few years, Pskov has seemed to be transformed. From a provincial town with bad roads, dirt on the streets and underdeveloped infrastructure, it has turned into an attractive tourist center with well-restored historical and cultural sites, a large selection of cafes and hotels.
Pskov is a cozy, green and pleasant city for walking. Coming here not even for the first time, you will always find something new.
sights
Of course, the basis of Pskov's attractiveness as a tourist destination is its rich historical and cultural heritage. There are more than 40 churches, a dozen monasteries, beautiful embankments and interesting architectural ensembles of the 18th-19th centuries.
- The first attraction that you pay attention to in the city center is, of course, the Pskov Kremlin (Krom). It was built on a long promontory at the confluence of two Pskov rivers - Velikaya and Pskova. In the 10th century, at this strategically convenient place, the inhabitants erected a fortification of earth and wood. Now the Kremlin occupies an area of 3 hectares, it is surrounded by a wide stone wall that has been preserved along the entire perimeter. The length of the walls of Krom is 9 km. Of the five original towers, only three have survived to this day, but they are awe-inspiring for their size and power. From the walls of the Kremlin there is a beautiful view of the other bank of the Great and the city perspective.
- The Trinity Cathedral is located almost in the very middle of the Pskov Kremlin, this is its center, its heart. The existing building of the cathedral is already its fourth version. The very first, wooden cathedral was built at the same time as Crom. He burned. The second building was taken into account in the same way. The third version was completely destroyed after the explosion of gunpowder. The building that we see today was built in 1699. Its height is 72 meters. Pskov princes are buried in the crypt of the cathedral, behind the altar there is a magnificent seven-tiered iconostasis.
- Dovmont's city grew up near the walls of the Kremlin in the 13th century, when the inhabitants became cramped inside the stone walls. Residential buildings and temples were located on its territory. The latter were, according to research by scientists, at least 18 objects. Nowhere in Russia was there such a concentration of sacred objects. Dovmont's city was dismantled by order of Peter I, when a stone was needed to strengthen the defense of Pskov. In 1954, the city was excavated by archaeologists and now a full-fledged museum complex is being prepared for the opening.
- Spaso-Mirozhsky Monastery was founded in the XII century and is one of the oldest monasteries in the region. The building of the cathedral of the monastery during this time practically did not change its appearance. And inside the temple, about 80% of the frescoes made during the construction of the temple by masters from Greece have survived.
- The Pogankin Chambers are already an architectural monument of the 17th century. The chambers were built by a local merchant, head of customs and the mint, Pogankin, nicknamed so, according to one of the legends, for his bad temper. The chambers were created in the fortified style with loopholed windows. Now it houses the Museum of Icon Painting and Russian Silver.
It is worth noting a few streets, which can be entirely attributed to the sights. This is the "Golden Embankment", located directly opposite the Kremlin, where modern buildings are harmoniously built in the Pskov city style. The embankment of the Velikaya River is a favorite place for walking the townspeople. The embankment runs along the entire city center, a wide promenade is beautifully decorated with stone, benches and lanterns are everywhere, and city sculptures. And the main street of the city - Oktyabrsky Avenue - is replete with architectural monuments of the late 19th - early 20th centuries. This is the Zemsky Bank, the apartment buildings of Geldot, Kerber, Potashev.
What to see in the Pskov region
On the territory of the Pskov region, there are several attractions of the all-Russian scale.
- The Pskov-Pechora monastery is one of the largest and most famous in Russia. Famous for its cave churches, hermitages and healing icons. The Pechora Monastery has never been closed during its entire existence.
- Izborsk is one of the oldest Russian cities. Attention is drawn to the well-preserved fortress ensemble of the 12th century, the museum-reserve, as well as the Slovenian mineral springs, bearing the name of the Twelve Apostles. A great place for lovers of Russian history and photographers.
- Pushkinskie Gory is a literary reserve associated with the name of Pushkin. The reserve includes the estates "Mikhailovskoye" (the family estate of Pushkin), "Trigorskoye", "Petrovskoye", as well as the surrounding parks. The tomb of the poet is located in the Svyatogorsk monastery.
- The Krypetsky Ioanno-Theological Monastery, located not far from Pskov, attracts with its unusual architectural design - the snow-white monastery stands on the very shore of the Holy Lake, in which, as they say, healing water.
- Mount Sokolikha from the monuments to Alexander Nevsky is located just a few kilometers from Pskov and a beautiful view of the city opens from here. Bronze Alexander Nevsky rides a horse, he is surrounded by a squad. The prince himself looks towards the Pskov lake, from where the invaders came. The height of the monument is 30 meters.
- Lake Peipsi, which the locals call the Pskov Sea. It is the fifth largest lake in Europe. It was here in 1242 that the famous Battle of the Ice took place. Now one side of Lake Peipsi belongs to Estonia, the other to Russia.
Vacation with children
In the city center is the Children's Park - a real paradise for families. Here, at any time of the year, there is a huge amount of entertainment for children: several playgrounds, many stalls with ice cream and cotton candy, electric cars and children's races. The sculpture of a Pskov staple with a horseshoe in hand always attracts attention. There are similar attractions in the Pushkin Park.
The Finnish park is conducive to active recreation: here you can ride a catamaran, rollerblades, scooters and bicycles, rent gyro scooters and even rent a gazebo with barbecue.
More than two thousand trees have been planted in the Botanical Garden, including those completely uncharacteristic for this area.
In the workshop of the Blacksmith yard, you can admire the figures made by talented Pskov blacksmiths and even take part in a master class.
Where to go for free
The entire territory of the Pskov Kremlin is free to visit. For the entrance to churches and monasteries, of which there are a great many in the city, no one will also charge a fee. Therefore, visiting the sights of the city will not be at all expensive for a tourist.
Under the auspices of the Dovmont Gorod tourist complex, free excursions are periodically held for everyone, during which experienced guides tell about the history of the city, conduct excursions around the Kremlin, temples and city streets.
Pskov in winter and summer
Pskov itself is perfect for walking at any time of the year. Winter is good here, frosty enough and not slushy, the sun shines very often, so the impressions even from a winter walk will be the most positive.
If possible, it is better to visit the sights of the Pskov region in the summer, so that you have the opportunity to call on the way to beautiful places on the shores of lakes and rivers, of which there are a great many. In addition, there are beautiful sandy beaches on the Peipsi and Pskov lakes.
The best time to visit the Pushkin Mountains is "golden" autumn. During this period, the nature of the Pskov region with multi-colored deciduous forests, yellow hills and blue rivers is especially beautiful.
Cafes and restaurants
Let's talk about several cafes and restaurants that are worth visiting when traveling to Pskov:
- Old Tallinn. Pskov has historically been close to Estonia, so the appearance of a restaurant decorated by Estonians looks quite logical. Estonian and Pskov dishes are prepared here. It is worth noting the dishes from pike perch and salmon. Estonian liqueurs are served.
- "House of the Podznoevs". A chain of cafes in the Old Russian style. Delicious pies and pastries made by hand.
- "At Pokrovka". A wonderful place with a view of the Mirozhsky monastery. The food is delicious, the prices are reasonable. A very good selection of teas.
- Restaurant "Refectory Chambers". Real Russian feasts in the interiors of the merchants' chambers.
