The village of Koporye in the Leningrad Region became famous back in 1237, when the knights of the Livonian Order built a defensive structure called the Koporye Fortress. It is located at the edge of a cliff, in an isolated part of it, but connected by a stone bridge to the road.
The story tells that the building became the cause of strife for many years between the two states. Today, despite the destruction and numerous reconstructions, the Koporskaya fortress has retained its practically original appearance.
The history of the creation of the Koporskaya fortress
The history of the citadel intersects with the knights of the Teutonic Order. In the course of fierce battles, they seized the lands, but this success did not stop them, but gave them strength for new exploits. They continued to plunder the passing trade carts, but so many goods had accumulated that there was nowhere to hide from the Russian squads. In order to protect and organize warehouses, the Teutons decided to build a wooden fortress, which was the predecessor of the current one.
In subsequent years, the troops under the command of Alexander Nevsky defeated the knights, destroying the fortress afterwards. As it turned out later, this action was unreasonable, because without a defensive structure it was difficult to defend the Novgorod lands.
A difficult fate fell to the lot of the Koporskaya fortress: it was rebuilt and destroyed several times, conquered by the Swedes during fierce battles in the sixteenth century. It was possible to restore full control over the citadel only during the reign of Peter I, but its defensive function was unnecessary. Koporskaya fortress in 1763, by order of Empress Catherine the Great, became an emergency and closed facility.
The restoration touched the building only at the end of the nineteenth century, when amendments were made to the appearance of the bridge and the gate complex. The second stage of reconstruction was not actually applied, and all the work remained only in letters on official papers.
Koporskaya fortress in 2017
At the beginning of the 21st century, visitors began to come to the premises of the fortress as part of an excursion, but a few years later due to an accident that happened here, access to the historical object was again closed.
Currently, you can freely wander in the museum, feel the warlike spirit of the fortification, steeped in history. The following facilities are open for tourists:
- gate complex;
- towers;
- bridge;
- the temple of the Transfiguration of the Lord;
- chapel and tomb of the Zinovs.
How to get to the museum and what to see?
You can get into the old citadel through a complex of gates; at the entrance you will be greeted by two huge towers. A part of the lowering grate has survived to this day, which reliably guarded the entrance to the shelter.
Your attention may be drawn to the ensemble of three arched structures in the Roman style. Ungrateful descendants destroyed the icons and tombstones; now only empty niches in the wall remind of them.
We recommend looking at the Peter and Paul Fortress.
Emphasis should be placed on the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which remains active to this day. A sudden fire in the sixties of the last century did not add charm to the holy place, but this does not confuse the local parishioners. Restoration work is underway in the temple, which is carried out at the expense of believers.
Interesting Facts
- Few people know, but initially the Koporskaya fortress stood on the Gulf of Finland, the photo has not survived, but over time the water receded several kilometers, and the fortress turned out to be on a bare rock.
- The rear part of the bridge was originally lifting, but after the restoration this feature was lost.
- During the attack on the citadel, its defenders were able to exit through a secret corridor. It is currently littered with debris and debris.
How to get there and where is the Koporskaya fortress located?
The most comfortable way will be to go on a trip with your own car, the road by public transport is quite difficult and tiring. You should go along the Tallinn highway to the village of Begunci, and then, when you see the sign "Koporskaya fortress", follow it, even the locals won't tell you the exact address.
It is worth remembering that the structure is practically in disrepair, although it is open for visits, so you need to be extremely careful. The opening hours depend on the time of year, but it is better to leave this historic site before dark.
