Izborsk Fortress

Izborsk: A Place of Power and the Cradle of Rus'

Traveling through the Pskov region, one cannot miss Izborsk — one of the most ancient Russian towns, first mentioned in the “Primary Chronicle” (Tale of Bygone Years) in 862 AD. Originally named Slovensk after its founder, it was later renamed Izborsk, becoming a steadfast shield on the western frontiers of Rus'.

This photo story is a look at the medieval Russian fortress not only through the camera lens but also from a bird’s-eye view—a perspective my drone has newly unlocked for me as a photographer.

“The Iron City”: The Fortress That Could Not Be Taken

By the 10th century, Izborsk evolved from a tribal center into a major hub of trade and craft. Its history is one of courage. After being captured by Teutonic knights in the 13th century, it was liberated only following the legendary victory of Alexander Nevsky at Lake Peipus.

To strengthen its defenses, in the early 14th century, the people of Izborsk built a new fortress on Mount Zhuravya (Crane Hill). From the mid-14th to the early 16th centuries, this stone fortress in the Pskov region withstood at least eight major sieges and was never captured, earning the name “Iron City” from the Livonians. Only once, in 1569, did the enemy breach its walls due to betrayal, but within two weeks, the army of Ivan the Terrible reclaimed the town.

The Izborsk Fortress Ensemble Today: An Aerial View

The Izborsk Fortress from the 14th century is one of the oldest and best-preserved fortresses in Northwestern Russia. Its walls stretch for 850 meters, enclosing 2.4 hectares of land. The complex includes powerful towers: Lukovka (Onion Tower), Talavskaya (Ploskushka Tower), Ryabinovka, Temnushka, Bell Tower, and Vyshka (Watchtower).

Today, the fortress walls have been restored, and an observation deck is set up on the Lukovka tower. It was among these ancient stones that scenes from the great film “Andrei Rublev” were shot in 1966.

My Impressions and Aerial Photography with a Drone

Visiting Old Izborsk (as the settlement is now called) was an immersion into the origins of our history. I am just beginning to master the drone, but I am already in complete awe of how, from above, the grandeur of architectural structures in harmony with the severe northern nature is revealed.

These shots are an attempt to convey the steadfastness and spirit of this place. “From here began the Russian land” — these words take on a literal, tangible meaning here. Our stay was brief, but this is precisely the place I long to return to, to spend a few days, to feel the history more deeply, and, of course, to capture new perspectives.

Photography and Aerial Shots: Svetlana Kornelyuk, Photographer in Yekaterinburg.
Information courtesy of the Izborsk State Museum-Reserve.