Ivangorod
Ivangorod stands right on the border of Russia and Estonia, facing Estonian Narva fortress on the opposite bank of the river. It was intentionally built to overshadow the older Narva castle and, therefore, several times as big as Estonian castle. Ivangorod castle was badly damaged during World War II and restoration works started only quite recently. Most of the towers and the whole stretch of the wall have now been restored to their original glory. The museum inside the fortress is due to open by the end of 2015. As for now, you can climb most of the towers (just take a torch with you because there's still no electricity) and peep to the Estonian side from Ivangorod fortress wall.
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The history of the Russia's Northwest is the history of constant wars, sieges and political conflicts. Too many parties had their political interests in the region. The most evident reminder of those times are the fortresses that still stand around northwestern borders of Russia, some in ruins, others restored and turned into museums. Most of them are located along the present Russian border with Estonia and Latvia, in Pskov and Leningrad regions.
Pskov Krom
Pskov kremlin, otherwise known among locals as Pskov Krom) clearly dominates the landscape of the city. It stretches along two rivers and encompasses the golden-domed Trinity Cathderal and the ruins of the so-called Dovmont Town. Like centuries ago, the old wooden gates get locked at night. Make sure you find your way out of the medieval world back to the 21st century before it happens.
Although Pskov Krom does look very impressive today, it's only a small part that has outlived the centuries of invasions. Can you imagine that once 9.5km of walls encompassed Pskov 5 times, and had 37 towers and 14 gates. Today, only some parts of this former glory survived. If you walk along the river and the central part of the city, you'll definitely come across a lonely tower or a chunk of wall which once served to protect the city. But the preserved Pskov Krom is a true masterpiece of fortification. The restoration works still take place in some of its areas, but you can already climb on top of one of the towers, visit the 17th-century Writ Chambers, marvel old frescoes of the Trinity Cathderal, and then rest at a café with a cup of hot Russian spicy drink called sbiten or rummage local ceramics and antiques in the shops.
Izborsk
Izborsk is a small sleepy village 30km west of Pskov. It also happens to be one of the oldest cities in Russia, whose former glory can be proved by its massive fortress. The fortress is the centre of tourist attraction today and the life of the village is concentrated around it. There's a good number of festivals and fairs taking place in the fortress every year, summer months in particular. The fortress has been recently restored. Walk the reconstracted path on the wall and climb the towers. You can visit most of the towers, some of them house small museums, others are currenly empty. And don't forget to walk the outer stretch of the fortress wall and look for the secret paths that once lead outside the fortress.
Pechory
Pechory is a rare example of a fortified Orthodox Russian monastery founded in 1473. The name of the town and the monastery comes from the Old Russian word pechory meaning 'caves.' And indeed, the monastery stays upon the undeground system of caves which for many centuries served as a burial site. Today, caves are open for tourists but only with a monastery guide whom you need to book well in advance. But you can peep into several cave rooms all dotted with graves. When you're done with exploring the churches and the caves, walk along the fortified walls of the monastery. No wonder that this bulwark has kept the monastery save throughout the centuries!
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