THE FORTRESS STRUCTURES OF SVIYAZHSK

Abstract

The article considers a series of aspects related to the fortifi cation a renowned fortress settlement, originally referred to as the New Town of Sviyazhsk, and later as Sviyazhsk. It played an important role in the preparation and conquest of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible. This fortifi ed outpost founded in 1551 at the mouth of the Sviyaga river was the place of concentration of the Russian troops and necessary supplies for a subsequent siege of the capital of Kazan Khanate, acting as a support “camp” for the conquest. Undoubtedly, in order to protect this newly created settlement, serious defensive measures had to be taken in case of an enemy attack. An interesting source in this regard is the Russian Chronicle History of the 16th century. It summarizes the preparation and construction of this outpost, which served as the original source of information about this fortifi ed settlement. In addition, the paper features new archaeological data related to the defensive structures of Sviyazhsk in the mid-16th century.