PSKOV. The capital of the government of the same name and one of the most ancient cities of Russia. situated on the rivers Velikaya and Pskova, 17] miles southwest of Saint Pe tersburg (Map: Russia. C 3). It is divided into two parts. the Great City with the Krem lin on the right hank of the Velikaya. and Zavelitchie on the opposite bank. The town is still partly surrounded by its ancient walls, and has retained some remains of the fortress. In the old cathedral in the Kremlin dating from the twelfth century are the tombs of the princes of Pskov, and the church in the Spaso-Mirozhski Monastoew (twelfth century) contains well-pre served frescoes and mural paintings, and a treasury with many valuable antiquities. Note worthy are also the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul with its ancient icons, the churches of the Old Ascension Convent. and the old palaces of the wealthy merchants. The modern town is uninteresting. The educational institutions of Pskov comprise two gymnasia, a Realsehule, a corps of cadets, a seminary for teachers, and one for priests. There is a considerable trade and some manufacturing. Population, in 1897, 30, 400.
Pskov, ancient Pleskov, was in existence at the time of the coming of the Varaugians to Russia. Threatened by the Lithuanians and the Germans, Pskov became a dependency of Nov gorod. but, unlike other dependencies of that re public, it enjoyed more or less autonomy, and its inhabitants took part in the ryetehe of Novgorod (q.v.). With the growth of its commerce l'skov became more and more independent, and finally began to elect its own princes. who, however, were
still considered as representatives of Novgorod the Great. By the Treaty of Bolstov in 1348 Pskov attained complete independence.
As a republic l'skov did not differ essentially in its internal organization from Novgorod. Commercially it was of the utmost importance, lying on the way between Riga and Nov gorod. In the fourteenth century it became a member of the Hanseatic League. The ag gressive policy of the Princes of Moscow. however, soon put an end to the little re public. Pskov committed the fatal blunder of appealing to the Princes of Moscow in its strug gles with Novgorod in the beginning of the fifteenth century, thereby giving them an oppor tunity to interfere in its internal affairs. The internal conflicts between the masses and the upper classes afforded Moscow an additional pretext for interference, and Pskov was soon compelled to accept princes appointed by Moscow. The position of Pskov was further weakened by the fall of Novgorod, and the republic was finally abolished in 1510 by Prince Vasili, its ryetche suppressed. its leading merchants exiled to Mos cow, and replaced by settlers from that city. Since then the city has declined. and the only important event in its history is its long siege by the Poles under Stephen Biithory in 1581-82.
Consult Nikitsty, Uniriss der innern Gesehiehte . Pskors (Petersburg. 1S73).