In the footsteps of the knights - from St. Petersburg to Estonia

In the west of the Leningrad region there are a large number of interesting places that are worth visiting, especially since they are in close proximity to one of the tourist centers of Russia - St. Petersburg. At the western borders of our country you can see unique medieval fortresses and other interesting buildings.

Scorch

In the small village of Koporie, on the edge of the Izhorsk hill there is a monument of medieval defensive architecture. This fortress is one of the oldest in Russia. During numerous wars, the fortress was repeatedly conquered by the Swedish (Livonian Order) and Russian troops. The fortress has never been restored, which allows us to see it in its original form and feel the special atmosphere of the place. Every year, festivals of historical reconstruction and folklore holidays take place on the territory of Kaporie.

Yamburg-Kingisepp

The Yam fortress was founded in 1384 to strengthen the borders of the Novgorod Republic, which in the 15th century was the trading center of North-Western Russia and the administrative center of the Yamsky district. In the 16th century, at the signing of a peace treaty, the fortress and nearby territories were ceded to Sweden. During the Northern War, the city was returned to the Russian Empire and from 1703 to 1922 it was called Yamburg. Unfortunately, the walls and towers of the fortress were blown up in 1681, and now you can see only the remaining ruins, but today it is the Cathedral of Catherine, built by the famous Italian architect Antonio Rinaldi. The temple is located on a hill by the river, and at its walls you can see the remains of an ancient fortress.

Ivangorod

Very close to Kingisepp is Ivangorod. It was founded by Ivan III during the Livonian War to defend Russian lands. The original fortress was destroyed by the Swedes, but it was restored and expanded, and two churches were built inside. It was this version of the fortress with powerful stone walls and ten towers that later became considered the reference for Russian architecture. The fortress was built on a steep slope of the Maiden Mountain.

The city, being an outpost on the border with Livonia, was repeatedly attacked by Germans, Swedes and Poles, was captured several times. On the opposite bank of the Narva River is the Narva Castle of the Livonian Order. This is the only example of enemy fortresses standing opposite each other at such a close distance (130 meters).

The annual historical festival “Ivangorod Frontier” attracts reenactors from all over the country.

Sailboat

“Parusinka” is an industrial district of Ivangorod, which got its name due to the fact that here, on the Narva waterfalls, there were two manufactories of Alexander Stieglitz, one of which was engaged in the production of sailboats. The Stieglitz family was not only wealthy industrialists, but also patrons (large sums were donated to education, hospitals for the poor, roads, etc.). Alexander Ludwigovich Stieglitz built his factories in the image of English factory settlements with a hospital, a dining room and a library. In turbulent pre-revolutionary times, there was not a single protest in the factories. Krenholm Manufactory is a unique monument of industrial architecture of the 19th century. The architecture traces not only the English style, but a unique, own, associated with the traditions of Narva architecture. From the estate of the Stieglitz family now remains the park and the revived Temple of the Holy Trinity, which is the family tomb of the Stieglitz Baron family.

Text by Oksana Kuzmitskaya