IZBORSK
What was once an ancient Russian city ruled by the legendary Viking king Truvor is now a quiet village with less than 800 inhabitants. However, this little village is richly steeped in history and legends. Its landscape is dominated by the ancient fortress which for many centuries served to hold off the attacks of foreign invadors. Despite its size, the village of Izborsk has four museums located on an old cobbled street in newly restored merchant houses. The location of Izborsk just cannot be better. The village stands on a hill overlooking a picturesque valley and a lake. The site of the first Izborsk settlement (the one that was ruled by king Truvor) lies just outside the village on another hill surrounded by endless Northern forests.
Distance from Moscow: 733km Founded in 862 Population: 789 UTC+3
TO GET THERE
By bus from Pskov or Pechory bus stations.
From Pskov: Pskov bus station is located on Vokzalnaya st. 3min walk from the railway station (as you go out of the railway station turn left and walk down the street). You can check timetables online (although only in Russian) and buy ticket on this website: http://pskovavtotrans.ru. The buses run every 30-60min. The express bus will get you to Izborsk in 30min, with slower buses it can take up to 1h. If you buy ticket online ask your hotel to print the confirmation for you. Once you have it, go to the ticket office at the bus station and exchange it for a ticket (they charge 5₽ for it). In most cases, it is possible to buy ticket on the day of departure, just make sure you arrive 20-30min prior to the departure as there’re often queues at the ticket office. Ticket office is located in the left wing of the building (whereas the waiting room is in the right wing). The platform should be written on your ticket as well as your bus number. Ticket to Izborsk costs 80RUB.
From Pechory: the bus station is located in the centre of the city on the Victory Square (Ploschad’ Pobedy). Buy ticket on the day of departure and make sure you arrive 20-30min prior to the departure as there’re often queues. Buses run every 30min-1h. It takes around 30min to get to Izborsk and will cost you 60₽.
Tips: Make sure you buy ticket to Stary Izborsk (Old Izborsk) as there’s also a village called Novy Izborsk (New Izborsk) on another bus route.
EVENTS IN IZBORSK
End of February - Maslenitsa (Shrove Tuesday) celebrations at Izborsk
April 4 - Prayer service and sacred procession of the icon of the Holy Virgin of Corsun, Patroness of Izborsk
April 17 - Prayer service and sacred procession of the icon of the Holy Virgin Life-Giving Spring
Beginning of May - Izborsk Pastry Festival
May 18 - International Museum Day
June 6 - Isaborg Festival of Early Middle Ages Culture
July 4-5 - Izborsk Photo Festival
July 6 - St. John the Baptist Night Festival
July 8 - Folk Crafts Fair
July 23 - St. Olga's Day
July 30 - Liberation of Izborsk from the Nazi Occupation celebrated on the rampart of the fortress
Aug 1-2 - Iron City Festival
Aug 28 - International Ethno-Cultural Festival of Seto People: 'Setomaa Family Meetings' in Sigovo village