Fortress Of Koporye

Description Video (2) Street view Reviews Map

Description

The fortress of Koporye — a monument of Russian medieval defensive architecture — located in the South-West of Leningrad region, on the edge of the Izhora hills, in the village of Koporye. The fortress is located 12 km South from the Gulf of Finland and occupies a small area of high rocky promontory.

The fortress was reconstructed several times and several times it was passed into the hands of the Swedes, and returned to Russia. The current state of the fortress is far from perfect, the restoration work has not been for almost. On the other hand, it is possible to preserve the architecture of the latest version of the fortress unchanged and create a special atmosphere of the fortress.

From the district name the name of the beverage produced from fireweed, "Koporye tea".

History

A fortress in Koporye was founded in 1237. First mentioned in the Novgorod chronicle in 1240 when the German knights of the Livonian Order built a wooden Koporye fortress.

In 1241 Alexander Nevsky repulsed from the fortress of the Teutonic knights and destroyed it. During the assault killed the famous hero Gavriil Aleksic. The Sofia first chronicle:

n 1280 the Grand Prince Dmitry Aleksandrovich founded a stone town in Koporye, which two years later was destroyed by the Novgorodians in the conflict with the Prince. Once again the castle was built in 1297, and in late XV — early XVI century was rebuilt.

After being captured by the Swedes in 1581 Koporye returned to Russia under the Treaty in 1590.

However, according to the Treaty of Stolbovo Koporye again went to Sweden in 1617. In the years 1656-1657, a Russian army unsuccessfully tried to return Koporye, which was returned to Russia only under Peter I in 1703.

In 1708 Peter I gave the fortress to Prince Menshikov, and in 1727 after his disgrace Koporye was transferred to the Treasury. In 1763 Koporye fortress was excluded from the list of fortifications.

In 1919, during the Civil war the Red Army soldiers using the fortress successfully repelled the attack of the White Guard troops landed in the rear of the Red Army.

September 1, 1941, the town was abandoned by the Red Army. In January 1944 the town was liberated.

In 1962 the Church in the fortress was burned by accidental fire.

In 2001, the fortress received the status of a Museum.

4 april 2013 the fortress was officially closed to the public due to an emergency condition.

The architectural ensemble of the fortress

The fortress includes:

  • Defensive wall
  • The portal complex
  • Bridge, the last part of which was once lifting
  • Church of the Transfiguration
  • Chapel, the family burial vault Zinoviev

Till our days remained "the soldier's apartment," the food warehouse, stable, writ chamber and human quarters.

Towers of the fortress

  1. North tower
  2. South tower
  3. Mid tower
  4. Corner tower

Video (2)

Street view

Reviews

Gregory
Unique fortress gradually destroyed. A painful impression, when more or less intact facade of the fortified gates in the wall between the two towers – the passage in crumbling ramparts and walls.
Pavel
Very atmospheric place... Being here, the imagination paints pictures of the past. The history of this place is very rich. The fortress is not restored, which gives even more emotions. It is these walls that stand for centuries, and these rocks and trees "see" the story.
From the South-West side of the fortress open. Before, say, there was a navigable river connecting to the Gulf. Ships from the sea came right up to the walls of the fortress.
Ignatova
The place is very interesting, good guide. But nothing restored, only preserved. The constant theft in the Church. Not sufficient funds and to preserve such historical places.
Dmitriy
Visited her twice. In the early fall and late. If you get on the wall (which the idea can not climb) will get an unforgettable view. The edge of the forest down there somewhere, and the Gulf of Finland somewhere near. View from the tower, just fly away! But be careful in search of a nice view! Fall will be very painful! The place is unique, beautiful.
Nikto
Three or four years ago it was possible to enjoy the views toward the Bay - in fact, this is the only thing to do, you can go to the fortress. Now, all closed with fences, nowhere to go, nothing but crumbling walls. Made a wooden walkway with a railing, don't put benches in the fortress to do absolutely nothing, NOTHING at all. Would be better if this tree is allowed for the construction of one or two viewpoints, even by raising the price of admission. In short, the scoop in its purest form. Still can not to go there, waiting for a change for the better.
Is a plus: stands to the left of the entrance a large Board with sites to visit - applauding, it was interesting to identify their place in the next time.
Share free ideas:
1. To build the lookout in the direction of the Bay.
2. Put information boards telling the history of the castle, with details about the assault, the destruction of walls and graves on the territory, etc. Now the shield is there, but dry as a prescription from the hospital, no interest.
3. Put the bench! There's nowhere to sit except in the car and to go in horror and frustration.
Irina
Koporye fortress was laid in 1240. - it can be considered one of the oldest fortresses of the North-West region. The fortress is small and partially destroyed. Surprisingly, there is the Church of the 13th century (current) - the Church of the Transfiguration
Aleksey
Koporye fortress — a true citadel, one of the best examples of medieval defensive architecture of North-Western Russia, in no way inferior in its appeal nor Ivangorod, Ladoga neither the Old nor the Corail. Sadly, the fortress is an extreme emergency condition. Unfortunately, almost all the sections of the walls pose a danger to visitors.
Filipp
Fortress - a place potentially interesting, but what it is now - it's terrible. Half of the stairs to the wall's closed, everything in poor condition (the idea is there), no information there, although the place is interesting. Of the benefits - very cheap magnets-Souvenirs.
Leontiy
Koporye fortress has a long history. Since the XIII century it changed its owners, was modified and rebuilt many times. At least so on it it should look.
Before the revolution some time my aunt Elena Loginova S. (in marriage Sukharnikova) teacher here. Our family nest Kadorskoe were 70 km from the fortress. My family often visited in kopor'ye.
I was able to come here for the first time only on 15 may 2015.
Even in the present not presentable form Koporye fortress is impressive in its grandiosity and monumentality.
Dmitriy
In my opinion, the most beautiful fortresses of the Leningrad region. It is sad that her condition is rapidly deteriorating (go around it and look at the southern slope).
On the other hand, restoration is different - read the story "restoration" of the fortress Izborsk in 2011-2013.
Hurry up to visit Koporye fortress and feel the breath of antiquity.
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