Khlynov Kremlin: a lost monument of Russian architecture with a complicated history

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:55

In the Middle Ages in Russia, fortifications were originally built of wood. This resource in most regions was available in unlimited quantities. For this reason, many early fortresses have not survived to this day. The Khlynovsky Kremlin is an ancient defensive structure, from which only memories remain today.

The history of the construction of the Khlynov Kremlin

Modern researchers agree that the Kremlin in the city of Khlynov was built in the middle of the fifteenth century. In those days, the Vyatka Republic was part of the Galician coalition, which was fighting against Moscow. For this reason, the construction of a fortress was a necessary defense measure. The Khlynovsky Kremlin was erected 300 meters from the ancient Vyatka settlement, founded in the 12th century. The place was not chosen by chance.

The fortress was protected along the perimeter not only by walls with towers, but also by natural barriers. From the east and south, the Kremlin was protected by a deep ravine and a steep bank of the river. An artificial moat was dug on the other two sides. The original Kremlin had five towers,three of which were travel. In addition, the fortress wall had two chopped gorodni and three outlets for squeakers. The towers of the Khlynovsky Kremlin were named: Spasskaya, Voskresenskaya, Epiphany, Nikolskaya and Pokrovskaya.

The heyday and decline of the fortress in Khlynov

In 1489 the Vyatka Republic was incorporated into the Muscovite State. At the same time, the Khlynovsky Kremlin (Kirov is the modern name of the city of Khlynov) remains an important strategic object. The fortification is constantly strengthened and slightly rebuilt. In the sixteenth century, attention is paid to the borders of the settlement. Initially, they are reinforced with a wooden palisade and a moat.

In the second half of the seventeenth century, the borders of the settlement were expanded. To protect them, various structures were erected: ditches, earthen ramparts, gorodni and conclusions. In 1700, a strong fire broke out in the city, which destroyed a significant part of the wooden buildings. After 20 years, the construction of a stone wall was started. By that time, the Khlynovsky Kremlin was losing its military significance. The new wall serves as a guard fence for the bishop's house. At the end of the eighteenth century, the completely preserved fragments of the old wooden fortress were demolished.

Decorative Kremlin

In the 1840s, the stone Khlynovsky Kremlin was rebuilt several times. Around the same time (at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries), a complex of stone church buildings was formed on the territory of the destroyed wooden fortress. The Trinity Cathedral was located here.cathedral, archbishop's house, Transfiguration Monastery. By the end of the 19th century, a fence with turrets was erected. The fence was built on the site where the ancient fortress walls once stood.

In the 30s of the twentieth century, all the buildings of the "new" Kremlin, also called "decorative", were destroyed. Near the Zasorny ravine, two typical houses were erected, the basement floors of which were rebuilt from the remains of a white stone fence. Since then, the Khlynovsky Kremlin has been a history preserved only in ancient legends and old drawings.

Modern reminders of the past greatness of the Khlynovsky Kremlin

Due to numerous reconstructions and various disasters, today in the city, once called Khlynov, there are very few ancient architectural monuments. During a walk through the historical center, you can see only fragments of an earthen rampart that once strengthened the borders of the settlement. In our time, there are only three such historical sites. You can personally touch the history of the city in the children's park "Appolo" (southwestern part), behind the cinema "Victory" (today this building houses the club "Gaudi Hall") and near the city's comprehensive school No. 22.

Not far from the places where fragments of the posad rampart were preserved, towers were once located. Be sure to visit the city museum of local lore if you want to find out what the Khlynovsky Kremlin looked like. Kirov is the modern name of the city, which was once marked on maps as Khlynov. Go Specialhere for the sake of acquaintance with the remains of the township rampart does not make sense. But if you have the opportunity, be sure to visit the local attractions. Don't forget to buy a couple of postcards with images of old city panoramas as a keepsake.