Rylsk fortress: description of sights and interesting facts

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

Modern Kursk Region

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

Narratives of Ancient History

The first settlements are mentioned in the XI century, and exclusively in the way of campaigns against Polovtsy and Polovtsians on the lands of Russia. Since the XII century, two specific princedoms - Rylskoye and Kursk - begin to appear. Rylsk was a capital city, and Prince Svyatoslav Olgovich operated it. The prince's house, a beautiful temple, an orderly hut and houses of the squad were located on this mountain.

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

Important dates

Then the story tells about the "arrival" of the Tatars. Kursk actively participated in the 1223 battle of Kalk. At the same time the prince of Kursk managed to escape death, but during the campaigns of Khan Batu in 1239 this city was almost completely destroyed.

The next turning point was 1355, when these lands moved to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and subsequently to Poland. Since 1523, the Rila Principality remained part of Rus and after the death of Prince Ivan Shemyachich, it was fully incorporated into the Moscow State. And already from 1508 in the Moscow principality, also entered and Kursk.

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

Description of the sight. Rylsk Fortress

The founder of the city of Rylsk is John Rylsky, a monk from Bulgaria. The monastery, which monks and laymen built, had two meanings. First, it was the center of Orthodoxy, and the second meaning, fortress and well fortified citadel. The ancient temples of the city were located on the top of this mountain. The chronicle of the whole town of Rylsk is associated with this mountain.

John Rylsky was considered the patron of the city. It is believed that during this terrible invasion of Batu, only this city remained unharmed. Local residents in one prayer called the saint to help and protect. John Rylsky heard the prayers of the citizens. Appearing in the town square, he waved a white kerchief and blinded the Batyevo army. Thus, Rylsk was saved from pogrom and ruin.

Southern Fort

Remained from the time of the defense of all of Rus, Rylsk fortress (Kursk region) is the personification of the southern part of the state defense. It is located on the highest coastal ridge in the area "Mountains of Ivan Rylsky. As it was said earlier, in the 17th century it was from here that the squads led by Igor Svyatoslavovich marched into the famous campaign against the Polovtsians. This is what was stated in the "Lay of Igor's Regiment".

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

Rylsk fortress landmark country

All the existing fortifications were made in the form of a detinets, which is the central part of the inner layout of the fortress, which had 9 towers and six-meter oak walls. Among other things, for protection of the forest Rylsk fortress was surrounded by a moat and several earthen ditches with unfinished towers.

Moreover, each tower had not only its own personal name, but also its purpose. The highest tower was called Resurrection and had 6 facets. Its height was 15 meters. In this tower hung a bell, whose weight was 9.5 poods. Just a few meters from this tower, there is a small tower with 4 facets, which has a gateway.

Fortress and inhabitants

Each fortification, which was built and was part of a defensive complex, had very serious weapons for that time. Rylsk fortress was well equipped. The main road residents paved cobblestone. 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 Rylski and St. Nicholas Cathedral.

St. Nicholas Cathedral burned down in the 19th century, it was never rebuilt. At the beginning of the 20th century, residents built a brick church in the name of John Rylski, instead of a wooden building dating back to 1772. Vegetation on the mountain was meager. It was limited to two high poplars and four spreading lindens. On the slopes of the mountain there was a spiny barberry and a fragrant lilac. In the beginning of summer all the grass dried up under the scorching sun.

Since the 17th century the Rylsk fortress has ceased to play an important strategic role. This is due to the expansion of the Russian borders in the southern and western directions. After the Battle of Poltava, the city-fortress Rylsk ceases to exist at all. At the moment on the site of the fortress, on the highest place in the city, a majestic church in the name of John Rylski was built.

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