Izborsk, Medieval fortress and settlement in Pskov Oblast, Russia
Izborsk is a fortified settlement in Pskov Oblast that occupies a hill called Zheravya, surrounded by stone walls punctuated by six defensive towers. The enclosure covers roughly 2.5 hectares and traces a perimeter of about 850 meters along the ridge.
The settlement emerged in the 7th century when Krivich tribes occupied the area and later established fortifications. In 1330 the site received a new stone wall that turned it into a central defense point for the Pskov Republic.
The Nicholas Cathedral forms part of a landscape that also includes ancient burial mounds and springs flowing from the hillside. Visitors can see how the twelve sources of mineral water have been channeled through simple stone basins, a local feature tied to traditions about healing properties.
The site lies about 30 kilometers west of Pskov and is served by regular bus lines that reach it in roughly 40 minutes. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes because many paths cross uneven ground and cobbled surfaces.
A site called Truvor's Settlement lies roughly 500 meters from the current walls and holds artifacts from the early medieval period. Archaeologists have uncovered remains of buildings and tools there that offer glimpses of how the first inhabitants lived.
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