Rylskaya Fortress: description of sights and interesting facts

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

In the Kursk region, the extreme western region is Rylsky. On the one hand, it borders on Ukraine, and on the other - with Glushkovsky, Korenevsky and Khomutovsky districts. The total population is just over 32 thousand people. The whole area has a wide variety of attractions and a long history.

Modern Kursk Region

The current territory of the region falls under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation, and since ancient times belongs to the lands of Russia. The average annual temperature in the Kursk region is + 5 … 7 degrees Celsius, the winter is quite mild and warm, and the summer is very hot. This contributes to a year-round influx of tourists who wish to personally get acquainted with the sights of the region.

Ancient History Narratives

The first settlements are mentioned in the 11th century, and only in the sense of campaigns against the Polovtsy and Polovtsy in the lands of Russia. Starting from the 12th century, two specific principalities began to appear - Rylsk and Kursk. Rylsk was a capital city, and it was ruled by Prince Svyatoslav Olgovich. The prince's house, a beautiful temple, the command hut and the houses of the squad were located on this mountain.

It was from this city that the princes Svyatoslav Olgovich, Novgorod-Seversky prince Igor and other relatives-princes left to fight the Polovtsy. All this is described in the world-famous Tale of Igor's Campaign. Modern scientists have reason to consider Svyatoslav Olgovich, Prince Rylsky, the author of this work.

Notable dates

Further the story tells about the "coming" of the Tatars. Kursk actively participated in the Battle of Kalka in 1223. At the same time, the prince of Kursk managed to escape from death, but during the campaigns of Batu Khan in 1239, this city was almost completely destroyed.

The next turning point was 1355, when these lands were ceded to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and subsequently to Poland. Since 1523, the Principality of Rylsk remained part of Russia, and after the death of Prince Ivan Shemyachich, it completely became part of the Moscow state. And since 1508, Kursk also became part of the Moscow principality.

Thus, these were the southernmost lands, designed to protect the entire state from the raids of the Tatars. For this, special fortified areas, defense lines and fortresses were erected. Only in one Rylsk there were 3 lodges. It was from that moment that the active settlement of this region began.

Description of the attraction. Rila Fortress

The founder of the city of Rylsk is John of Rylsky, a monk from Bulgaria. The monastery, which was built by monks and laity, had two meanings. First, it was the center of Orthodoxy, and the second meaning, a fortress and goodfortified citadel. The ancient temples of the city were located on the top of this mountain. The chronicle of the entire city of Rylsk is connected with this mountain.

John of Rylsky was considered the patron of the city. There is a belief that during the terrible invasion of Batu, only this city remained safe and sound. Local residents in a single prayer called on the saint for help and protection. John of Rylsky heard the prayers of the townspeople. Appearing in the city square, he waved a white handkerchief and blinded Batu's army. Thus, Rylsk was saved from pogrom and ruin.

South Fort

Remaining from the time of the defense of all Russia, the Rylskaya fortress (Kursk region) is the personification of the southern part of the defense of the state. It is located on the highest coastal ridge in the Ivan Rylsky Mountain area. As mentioned earlier, in the 17th century, it was from here that the squads led by Igor Svyatoslavovich made their famous campaign against the Polovtsians. This is exactly what was indicated in the "Word about Igor's Campaign".

A separate and most famous attraction, of course, is the Rylskaya fortress (Rylsk). The fortress was also of great strategic importance in the 16th-17th centuries, when the ode was the last point before the border with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It was the southernmost point of the defensive line of the state, which served as a fort against the Crimean Tatars, who made periodic raids.

Rila fortress landmark of the country

All existing fortifications weremade in the form of a citadel, which is the central part of the internal location of the fortress, which had 9 towers and six-meter oak walls. Among other things, for greater defense, the Rila fortress was surrounded by a moat and several earthen ditches with unfinished towers.

Moreover, each tower had not only its own name, but also its purpose. The highest tower was called Sunday and had 6 faces. Its height was 15 meters. In this tower hung a bell weighing 9.5 pounds. Literally a few meters from this tower, there is a Small tower with 4 faces, which has a travel gate.

Fortress and inhabitants

Each fortification that was built and was part of the defensive complex had very serious weapons for that time. The Rila fortress was well equipped. The main road was paved with cobblestones. On the western side of the mountain, there was a steep path with a railing, covered with a wild stone - a boulder. On the mountain stood a wooden church in honor of John of Rylsky and St. Nicholas Cathedral.

Nikolsky Cathedral burned down in the 19th century, it was never rebuilt. At the beginning of the 20th century, the inhabitants built a brick church in the name of John of Rylsky, instead of a wooden building, which dates back to 1772. Vegetation on the mountain was sparse. It was limited to two tall poplars and four sprawling lindens. Prickly barberries and fragrant lilacs grew on the slopes of the mountain. All the grass dried up under the scorching sun at the beginning of summer.

Starting from the 17th century, the Rila fortress ceased to play an important strategic role. This is due to the expansion of Russian borders in the southern and western direction. After the Battle of Poltava, the fortress city of Rylsk ceased to exist at all. At the moment, on the site of the fortress, on the highest point in the city, a majestic church in the name of John of Rylsky has been built.

This is not the whole list that the Kursk region can boast of, so any tourist or just a guest of the city will always have something to do and bring a lot of new unique photos, impressions and memories from their trip for every taste.