Kiev Fortress Tour

Tower № 6 – it was built in 1846-1851 and was part of a chain of casemate-type buildings stretching along the northern slope of the Pecherska Upland (Moskovska Str.). The tower was connected by a brick defensive wall with the barracks and production workshops of the “Arsenal” plant. It was a circular brick structure with two rectangular wings and an inner courtyard with an arched passage, inside it was divided into arched sections-casemates.

In the lower tier there were gun loopholes, in the upper one there was a cannon embrasure flanked by loopholes. In the casemates were ventilated air vents. Initially, the tower was intended to house a gendarmerie regiment. Since 1854 it was used to house employees of the Kyiv artillery arsenal. In 1967-1969 was completed the third floor, in 1976-1978 the courtyard is built, the facade is tiled.

The “Kosyi Сaponier” (Oblique caponier) – part of the Hospital fortification of the New Pechersk Fortress, built in 1844-1846 to protect the north-west corner of the fortification under an individual project with enhanced weapons (Hospytalna Str., 24-a). It was located at an angle to the moat line, therefore it was called “oblique caponier”. The feature of “oblique caponier” is that it locates on the slope of the Cherepanova hill, and not in the moat, like other caponiers.

It represented a semi-subterranean construction of a parabolic configuration from the outside, brick walls were cut by embrasures for cannons and loopholes for guns. Caponier had 15 artillery embrasures, 6 gun loopholes and a powder chamber of increased size. In addition, it did not have battle casemates, separated from each other by the capital walls, as in the caponiers of I, II, III polygons. Glacies have also been built-gently sloping to improve the conditions of firing ahead of the lying terrain and to protect the fortification from the west. Caponier’s vaults rested on the outer walls and walls of the powder chamber, resulting in a single casemate, encompassing the perimeter of the powder chamber.

Connection with the caponier was carried out through a tunnel, the entrance to which was located in the counterscarp of the fortified moat. Since 1863 the Kosyi Caponier was used as a prison for prisoners of the Polish uprising. Here, single and mass cells, two punishment cells and a guardroom were set up. Within its walls were participants of an armed insurrection of November 18, 1905, as well as soldiers of the 41st Selinginsky Infantry Regiment and the 21st Sapper Battalion of the uprising of July 4, 1907. For a harsh regime, the military-political prison “Kosyi Caponier” was nicknamed ” Kyiv’s Shlisselburg “.

Caponier of the 2nd polygon – part of the Hospital fortification (Hospitalna Str., 24-a). It was built in 1843-1844 and is located at the bottom of the moat, intended to fire along the rampart of the 2nd reinforcement polygon. In the centre of the caponier was a powder chamber, along its perimeter were built battle casemates, in the rear – a room through which one could get into the casemates and the powder chamber. Caponier of the 2nd polygon constructed similarly to the caponier of the 1st polygon.

Overall, the caponiers had 11 artillery embrasures and 6 gun loopholes. To communicate with the caponier, there was a tunnel through which the garrison was also exited behind the defensive wall to conduct a gun fire. In the walls that connected the rear part of the caponier to the defensive wall of the rampart, there were gun loopholes and lifting bridges, which allowed the artillery fire from the caponier to be supplemented with gunfire from behind the wall and concentrate infantry in the courtyard for a counterattack.

Initially, the caponier of the second polygon served as a repository for shells of the fire department of the Kyiv artillery warehouse, since 1863 – a prison, and later it was used as a warehouse.

Caponier of the 1st polygon- part of the Hospital fortification, built in 1843-1844 at the bottom of the fortress moat for firing along the rampart of the 1st reinforcement polygon (Laboratorna Lane, 24). The brick structure consisted of two facets at an angle and a straight horizon front. In the centre of the caponier was a powder chamber for 1.13 thousand poods, along the perimeter of which casemates were located. The battle casemates, located in the front part of the caponier, had an artillery embrasure and two gun loopholes.

To communicate with the caponier in front of him in the depths of the ramparts was a tunnel. In the walls connecting the rear part of the caponier with the defensive wall of the rampart, there were gun loopholes and lifting bridges to enter the moat, which allowed the artillery fire from the caponier to be filled with gunfire and to concentrate the infantry for counterattacking (not preserved).

Through the tunnel, soldiers of the garrison exited behind the defensive wall of the rampart to fire. Initially, the caponier of the 1st polygon was intended to house a bakery and a warehouse of hospital personnel. In 1863, the caponier served as a prison for the participants in the Polish uprising, since 1865 – for the deployment of troops, later – the warehouse of the quartermaster department. Some loopholes and embrasures on the facades were spread under the windows.

Hospital – military hospital with a bath-house, built in 1836 – 1844. The two-storeyed building of the hospital as a component of the front of the Hospital strengthening was designed for 1,5 thousand people. A small one-storeyed building of the bath-house (1839-1842) consisted of several rooms, covered with stone arches. In the second half of the XIX century the water tower was built up. The hospital was distinguished by a high level of sanitary and technical equipment and amenities. There were bathrooms with warm water and toilets, and under the baths sewer channels were designed.

In 1845 a garden was laid out in the courtyard of the hospital. In addition to the main goal, the corps played an important role in the defence of the fortification. The buildings of the baths and the hospital, as well as the defensive walls that connected them, formed a bastion front inside the fortification, which would allow keeping on the battle in the event of the capture of the main rampart. The facades were equipped with artillery embrasures and loopholes. Also there were gates for passage. Today, in the buildings of the former hospital, there is a military medical institution ( Hospytalna Str.,16).

Ramparts of the 1st moat – is part of the Hospital fortification of the New Pechersk Fortress. The main rampart of the fortification was piled during the period of 1842-1845, but some works were continued in 1849. Ramparts and moats were the main obstacles for the enemy troops carrying out the assault on the fortification.

In this regard, the shaft was poured around the perimeter of the fortification, with the exception of the rear part. In this part, it did not fill into to facilitate the counter-attack by the garrison of the fortress on the fortification, in case of its capture by the enemy. On the rampart under the shelter of the parapet were fortified artillery and infantry. The length of combat positions on the rampart was 1 km 195 m.

Hospital fortification is a part of the architectural complex “Kiev Fortress”, it is a semi-underground construction. There are embrasures and loopholes, as well as guns that are represented on the perimeter of the caponier. The fortification was erected in 1844. It includes the defensive structure “Oblique caponier”, located at an angle to the earthen rampart of the fortress.

There is also the northern half-tower, the northern gate with a caponier, a military hospital with a tower, a caponier of 1-3 polygons in the hospital fortification. They all preserved to this day. It is considered to be the largest preserved stone-earth fortress in Europe and the second largest in the world.

The upper supporting wall – is part of the fortification of the New Pechersk Fortress , a semi-circular brick structure built in 1854 to strengthen the Dnipro slope. It is a two-tier vaulted gallery with rectangular side wings and reinforced rear buttresses. The upper supporting wall had the appearance of a defensive construction of the feudal era, but did not bear military significance.

Through the lower and upper supporting walls, from the Dnipro River located on the bank of the Dnipro, there was an underground passage connecting the workshops of the “Arsenal” plant and the water pump. In 1949 at the base of the wall was built the Green Theatre for 4 thousand seats. Today the theatre is in an abandoned state. Sometimes there are night discos and performances of youth musical groups. Most of this place was loved by people of informal and alternative movements because of the legends about ghosts and mystical cases.

The lower supporting wall – is a semicircular structure, part of the fortification of the New Pechersk Fortress (Parkova Road, 4). It is a two-level vaulted gallery with gun loopholes. It was erected in 1856 to strengthen the fortifications around the fortress, cover the ravine and water pumping station, which was located on the banks of the Dnipro.

The main goal of the lower supporting wall is to close the approaches to the Nikolayev chain bridge (not preserved) and to keep the defence of the Podolsky embankment. From the water pump through the supporting walls passed an underground passage, connecting with the workshops of the “Arsenal”. Inside were laid iron pipes (partially preserved), along which the water pump supplied water to “Arsenal”. The tunnel itself was called the “Rattler’s move.” The lower supporting wall is preserved, but is in ruined condition.

The former plant “Arsenal” is a historical and architectural monument located on the former territory of the Old Pechersk Fortress (Lavrska Str., 10-12). Originally in 1750-1763 there was a wooden building to accommodate in it workshops for the manufacture of ammunition, parts for guns and its repair. In 1764, the construction of a brick plant began, in which a cannon yard was opened, where guns and artillery equipment were repaired and manufactured, and so on.

The factory served the artillery of the Pechersk fortress and the fortifications of Kyiv. The production premises of “Arsenal” served not only as workshops, but also as a weapons warehouse. “Arsenal” as a fortification structure of the Old Pechersk Fortress served as a defensive fortification – it could accommodate up to 2,000 men and 2,000 pood of gunpowder in barrels. In the 1830s The Old Pechersk Fortress lost its defensive role and became a production and warehouse complex. But “Arsenal” has not lost its importance and by the beginning of the World War I it had a strategic and defence significance, fulfilling military orders for the entire Russian Empire.

During the World War II, the south-eastern corner of the building was destroyed. In 1979, “Arsenal” received the status of a monument of architecture and military engineering. Until the late 1990s was in the department of the Ministry of Defense – there was a Kyiv repair plant (until 2009). Today in the historic building of the “Arsenal” plant is the museum complex “Mystetsky Arsenal” (“Artistic Arsenal”).

Mazepa walls with towers – walls of the Upper Lavra with five towers and several entrance gates, including those with gatehouses built in 1698-1701 at the expense of I. Mazepa. They served as a defensive part of the monastery and were part of the fortifications of the Kyiv fortress. The stone walls had a height of 7 m and ended with battle galleries. Two-tier towers with loopholes supported the line of walls.

To present day preserved Onufriievska, Malyarna, South and Ivan Kushchnik’s towers. The earth rampart up to 6 m high surrounded the Lavra in a semicircle, taking into account the natural protection from the Dnipro. The wall rests against the gate church of All Saints, built by I. Mazepa at the same time as the walls and served as an entrance tower. In the south-western part of the wall is the Clock Tower, which was designed to defend the southern part of the fortress walls. The tower of Ivan Kushchnik as a watchtower was also part of the fortification system of the monastery. At first it was two-tier. The lower tier was meant for defence.

The upper tier was built in 1718-1727. Onufriievska Tower is located in the south-eastern part of the fortress walls and resembles the church of All Saints. In the event of a siege, defensive actions could be taken from the tower. The tower retained only the main architectural features. The Malyarna tower (height – 8 m) is located in the north-eastern part of the fortress walls. It served as a clock tower. In the XVIII century here was the school of painting, hence the name of the tower “Malyrna”. In 1838 it was rebuilt and preserved in this form to the present day.

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra – was founded in 1051 by the monk Antony, who settled in the caves of the future Pechersk Monastery. In 1062 the monastery was called Pechersky. Since the end of XI century the territory of the monastery begins to complete . In 1679, to strengthen the defence by order of Hetman Samoilovych around the upper monastery appear moats and earthen ramparts.

In 1688 the monastery was given the status of the Lavra. In 1706, when there was a need to strengthen the city in case of an attack by the Swedes, the Pechersk citadel was laid on the basis of the already existing fortifications of the Lavra. The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra becomes part of fortifications, and by 1723 – the central construction of the impregnable Old Pechersk fortress, which consisted of a semi-circular citadel with ramparts and various fortifications.

Citadel – or the Old Pechersk fortress, a monument of architecture of military engineering. It is part of the museum complex “Kyiv Fortress”, being one of the largest stone and earth fortresses in the world. It represents fortifications of the XVIII century, built on the basis of the Pechersk Monastery. In 1679, to strengthen the defence by decree of Hetman Samoilovych around the monastery appear moats and earth ramparts.

In 1706, in connection with the need to strengthen the city in case of an attack by the Swedes, the Pechersk citadel was laid on the basis of the Lavra. Hetman I. Mazepa financed the construction of new structures – a stone wall with four towers. By 1711, the citadel, surrounded by 8-meter brick walls with loopholes, became an impregnable fortress, in which the Vasylkiv Gate (west), the Kyiv Gate (north) and the Moscow Gate (south) were included. During the XVIII century the Old Pechersk fortress was constantly being completed, serving as a base for administrative and military institutions.

The citadel, opened from the Dnipro side by earthen ramparts with bastions, had two circles of fortifications, preserved to this day. The first is the defensive walls around the monastery, the second is the ramparts (the Park of Eternal Glory), the “Mystetsky Arsenal” (“Artistic Arsenal”), the fortress walls (Naberezhna Road), the Moscow Gate and the powder cellars (Lavrska Str.). Since the beginning XІX century the construction of the New Pechersk fortress begins.

The barracks of the gendarmerie regiment – were built in 1844-1847 and were included in the “Arsenal” fortification of the New Pechersk Fortress ( Moskovska Str.,22). They are built between the towers №5 and №6, connecting with them by fortress wall (not preserved), and used to accommodate military units. In the barracks there were 87 casemates and premises for the lower ranks and chief officers of the gendarmerie regiment with kitchens and storerooms.

Also there were stables, a horse hospital and an arena (not preserved). The building is a brick arc-shaped two-storeyed building with two semi-towers, cut through slit-shaped loopholes (in the 1960s the floor was built up), with branched underground communications for the needs of the fortress and for the water supply. Since 1859, engineering units have been stationed in the barracks. Later there were various educational institutions, and in Soviet times the premises were used for production. Preserved to the present day. Today, here is the club “Shooters”.

Nicholas (Nikolsky) Gate – a monument of fortification architecture, erected in 1846-1850 and were the main entrance to the Kyiv fortress (Ivan Mazepa Str., 1). Nikolsky Gate with barracks are also known as “barracks on the isthmus”, because were built on the site of a natural isthmus. The construction in the form of a stretched letter “M”, with loopholes and towers with crenellations, amazes with its unusual configuration and romantic forms.

The gate as a whole with the defensive barracks stood in a chain of fortifications, located around the Pechersk Upland on the isthmus, connecting Pechersk with the palace part. A brick wall with loopholes was connected to the workshops of the “Arsenal” plant (a fragment of the wall was preserved). The building of the barracks with Nikolsky gate was divided into vaulted compartments-casemates with embrasures facing the external facade. In 1852 the front facade of the gate was decorated with lion masks and ornaments (preserved from the moat side). After the abolition of the fortress, the gates were dismantled.

It is known that in the early XX century soldiers of the pontoon battalions were stationed in the Nikolsky barracks. Later, on the site of the buried part of the moat and pulled down the defensive wall, starting from the gate, through the fortifications was paved the street. In the 1930s the thoroughfare of the Nikolsky Gate was laid. Today, the remains of the building partially covers the building of the metro station “Arsenalna”, and from the Mariinsky Park it is closed by dwelling houses.

Klovsky Tower – built in the middle of the XIX century on the highest point of the city – on the Klovska Hora as an object of the New Pechersk fortress. Tower №5 was a part of the complex of defensive structures in Kyiv to protect the northern slope of the Pechersky Upland and created a serf front from the Klovsky Yar. The tower was combined with other structures with the help of ramparts and defensive brick walls.

The Pechersk fortress had no analogues in Europe and was a mighty fortification, although throughout its history the fortress was involved in no one war. In 1897 in the tower placed warehouses and a garrison prison, loopholes were blocked up, and instead of them, window slots appeared. During the Soviet era, the Ministry of Defense used the fortress as a military warehouse, nowadays here house different offices.

Under the earth ramparts were laid the posterns (tunnels for communication between fortifications or strongholds) with a length of up to 40 m. First the posterns were built, then the ramparts were filled up. This is confirmed by plaster on the outside of the brickwork of posterns. The posterns were closed with bars on both sides (the rest of the grate grew into a tree near the 2nd postern).

Also, grooves were provided in the walls to cover the posterns if necessary (slots were inserted in the slots from the boards and the space was filled with ground or mined). Grooves in the walls are well visible in the 8th postern. Underground water tanks were built, to flood the fortress in case of occupation by its enemy. From the fort preserved paved roads, 8 underground galleries, boreholes, drainage systems and ramparts. On the walls of fortifications preserved inscriptions of the ХIX – ХX centuries, made by sentry soldiers.

Lysohorsky Fort – is one of the fortifications of Kyiv, part of the New Pechersk Fortress, located on the historic site – Lysa Hora. Since 1872, after the buy-out by the city authorities of the territory, the construction of the Lysohorsky Fort of the New Caves Fortress was started here. The fort was surrounded by a dry moat, surrounding earth ramparts (up to 12 m high), tunnels were bricked. Its barracks could accommodate several thousand of soldiers.

The size of the fort was up to 800 m in depth. But the fortress was involved in no one war. And since 1897 the fort was transformed into military warehouses and a garrison prison. In the 1930s here was built a secret tank repair plant. During the German occupation, the factory was used by the Germans – it housed the German tank base “Tiger”. Today the remains of the Lysohorsky Fort are a monument of military-defense architecture and are part of the Kyiv Fortress Museum.

Zvirynets fortification – earth fortification of Kyiv, located in the historic area of Zvirynets Pechersky district (partially preserved). It is part of the Kyiv fortress (1810-1812 built on the project of military engineer Opperman). A small fort, connected by four earthen redoubts with the Pechersk fortress, it had to protect from the south side the approaches to the Pechersk Lavra. It was used to store weapons and ammunition. Virtually completely destroyed (preserved a small part).

In June 1918, due to improper storage of ammunition, there was a huge explosion in powdered cellars and artillery warehouses, as a result of which almost all the houses here were destroyed. Today, on the site of the ruins of the Zvirynets fortress, the Hryshko National Botanical Garden is laid out (Tymyryazevska Str., 1). The ruins themselves are scarcely discernible in the grassy hills.

Round Tower is the tower No. 2 of the Vasylkiv fortification, which is a part of the complex of the Kiev fortress. The three other similar objects began to be built on Pechersk in 1833. One of the most famous tower among them is No. 2. It is located on Lesia Ukrainka Boulevard, although the official address of the tower is Konovalets Str., 44. The tower was intended for a battalion of soldiers of the garrison. This is a two-story monumental structure with a small courtyard – a parade ground, with narrow embrasures on the outer wall. T

he windows of the barracks went into the inner courtyard of the tower. A number of tower rooms had been used as a political prison since 1863. There were grown windows on the external facades instead of loopholes and embrasures in 1897. The remains of the battle shaft, closely adjacent to the tower, were preserved until now. Today the restaurants and offices are represented in the tower.

Vasylkiv fortification was an independent fortification complex in the system of defensive fortifications. In the dry outer ditch of the fortification there was an additional defensive wall that covered the approach to the flank batteries of the casemate type and the caponier standing in the rear of the ravelin. From the fortification area, the outer moat come through five posterns, located in the corners of the main rampart and near the round towers. The trees were preserved near the tower №2. If you want, you can walk along the tree, the contours of which are repeated Chihorin Str. and Branovytsky Str., and then go to the courtyard to the tower №3. Also part of the earth ramparts can be seen near the Prison Castle next to the tower №2.