Pskov

Pskov is a city and the administrative center of Pskov Region, northwestern Russia, located about 20 kilometers (12 mi) east from the Estonian border, on the Velikaya River at its confluence with the small Pskova River. Pskov is one of the oldest Russian towns, being first mentioned in a chronicle of the year 903 as Pleskov. Today, Pskov, the largest stone fortress in Europe, is one of the most important tourist centers in Russia. The main landmark of the city is the Pskov Krom (Pskov Kremlin) and its Trinity Cathedral with 18th century iconostasis. There are about 40 tiny, squat, picturesque churches, dating mainly from the 14th and the 16th centuries and few white stone merchant and boyar mansions of the 17th century. Ancient cathedral of the Mirozhsky Monastery keeps famous 12th-century frescoes.