Exhibition and viewing platform of the Vlasyevskaya Tower

About exhibition

The history of the construction of the Vlasyevskaya Tower is tied to the erection of a large system of defensive structures of the Middle Town, begun in 1376–1377 and completed in the mid-1390s. The tower was built of limestone slabs and covered by a wooden spire, at the very top of which is a watch-turret. The height of the tower with the spire is 31 m. The tower stood at the traditional crossing over the Velikaya River and defended the approaches to the Kremlin, to Dovmont Town from the Zavelichye side, and to Pskov’s public center, the Torg. It took its name from the Church of St. Blaise on the Torg, which stood nearby. Gates from the floating bridge into the central trading square were arranged in the tower. A toll was charged for crossing the bridge at the tower. During the city’s period of independence this system served as a customs post: visiting merchants presented goods to the merchant elders, who authorized their sale. The space inside the Vlasyevskaya Tower houses the exhibition 'Pskov Kremlin and its surroundings in old photographs.' The watch-turret of the tower’s wooden spire is used as a viewing platform from which visitors can admire the panorama of the city.