Old Pskov

9 points0 km0 hours

Pskov is one of the oldest cities in Russia. And of course that means the Krom, churches with unique frescoes, merchant chambers, and walks along the rivers. This route introduces you to the city's main landmarks, its history, and its inimitable old-world atmosphere.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

🚶 Stroll along the waterfront
📜 Learn the city's history

Route points (9)

Varlaam Tower in Pskov

Point on route “Old Pskov”

Point 8

Varlaam Tower

🏯 Fortress remains • 🏛️ Museum

History and Architecture

The Varlaam Tower is part of the fortifications of Pskov's Okolny Gorod (Outer Town), a complex 16th-century defensive system. Together with the walls, the tower forms the Varlaam Corner museum complex. The tower is up to 35 meters (115 feet) high, with walls 3 to 4.5 meters (10 to 15 feet) thick. A distinctive feature of its facade is the planar glazing added during the 2017–2020 restoration. The tower is crowned with a massive log tent roof covered in wood. Nearby stands the Vysokaya (High) Tower, a seven-tiered fortification named for its great size.

Role in the Defense

In the 16th century the Varlaam Tower was a corner tower and played an active part in the city's defense. In 1615, during the Swedish siege, the tower and the adjoining walls were badly damaged, but the people of Pskov quickly restored the fortifications. The towers controlled important stretches of the river and roads. The Varlaam Tower served as an observation post and an artillery platform: from it watch was kept, and enemy attacks were repelled with fire from the loopholes.

Fate and Restoration

After the Great Northern War, as the border moved away, the towers' defensive role diminished. Over time the wooden elements rotted and the structure began to crumble, and in 1928 part of the Varlaam Tower on the river side collapsed. During World War II the building suffered further damage. Restoration work began in the 1950s, and in 2017–2020 a large-scale reconstruction was carried out using modern materials and technologies. Today the towers are open to visitors, with historical exhibitions inside, and the upper tiers offer panoramic views of Pskov.