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| Izborsk was first mentioned in the ancient Russian chronicles in 862. As the chronicle reads, three legendary princes of Scandinavian origin were invited to rule the lands of the Chudes, Slovenes, Vepsians and Kriviches: Rjurik at Ladoga, Sineus at Valgjärve and Truvor in Izborsk. Sineus and Truvor soon died and their possessions were inherited by Rjurik, the ancestor of the dynasty of Russian rulers. The fortress of Izborsk was erected within the 7th and 13th centuries by a Slavic tribe, the Krivich. The earliest Balto-Finn settlement in this area dates from the 3rd millenium B.C. The near proximity of lakes full of fish, cood connection to Lake Pskov and fertile land made the place favourable for living. The oldest settlement was the co-called Truvor stronghold one kilometer north-west of the present Izborsk fortress. In 1330, a new one-tower stone fortress was built. In the 15th century the fortress was reinforced. The new six-tower fortress survived eight major sieges. In Izborsk you will find Holy Slavic Springs. According to an ancient legend, when Dooms-day arrives and water disappears from everywhere, the springs will remain as the only waterbodies in the environs of Izborsk. There are four churches in Izborsk. Two of those are acting churhes and the other two belong to the Izborsk State Museum. In the fortress you will find St. Nicholas Cathedral. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||