Stand on the footbridge over the Velikaya River and the city arranges itself for you: the Krom on its rocky promontory to one side, the low white walls of the Mirozhsky Monastery across the water, and the river running between them. Pskov is one of the oldest cities in Russia, and much of what made it formidable still stands — medieval walls, a citadel that withstood siege after siege, and churches of the local school of architecture that are recognised on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This guide suits travellers who are interested in medieval fortifications, church architecture and frescoes, and who are content to build a day around a handful of sites rather than a long checklist. It covers the citadel and its cathedral, the monasteries and churches named in the sources, the city museum, and the excursions beyond the city that are worth the time.
Top things to do in Pskov
1. Pskov Krom
The Krom, also called the Pskov Kremlin, is the medieval citadel at the heart of the city, and the natural place to begin. Within its walls you can see the remains of the 13th-century town excavated and laid out as a kind of open-air museum, known as Dovmont's city.
Give it unhurried time rather than treating it as a single stop. The Trinity Cathedral stands inside the same walls, so the two are best seen together in one visit.
2. Trinity Cathedral
The Trinity Cathedral rises inside the Kremlin and is the city's principal church. It was founded in 1138 and rebuilt in the 1690s, and it contains the tombs of the saint princes Vsevolod and Dovmont.
Because it sits within the citadel walls, combine it with your walk through the Krom and Dovmont's city rather than making a separate trip.
3. Pskov Museum
The Pskov Museum on ul. Nekrasov is housed in Pogankin's Palace, a late 17th-century building that was one of the largest stone buildings in the area. Its collection includes silver, art and religious icons.
This is the indoor stop to keep in reserve for a stretch of bad weather, and it pairs well with the Kremlin, which is nearby.
4. Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Saviour
This former cathedral and monastery now functions as a museum. Its 12th-century Byzantine-style frescoes depict biblical scenes and are among the few of their kind to have survived the Mongol expansion into Eastern Europe.
Admission is charged, so bring cash. The frescoes are the reason to come, and they reward a slow look rather than a quick pass through.
5. Mirozhsky Monastery
The Mirozhsky Monastery was completed by 1152 and is known for its 12th-century frescoes. It sits across the river from the centre, which makes it a natural counterpart to the Kremlin rather than a duplicate of it.
Pair it with a walk along the Velikaya and a view back towards the citadel.
6. Pskov-Caves Monastery
The Pskov-Caves Monastery is the oldest functioning monastery in Russia, which makes it a different kind of visit from the city's museum churches — this is a working religious site.
It lies outside the city, so plan it as a half-day excursion. A telephone number is listed for the monastery if you need to check arrangements before travelling out.
7. Izborsk
Izborsk, in the vicinity of Pskov, was a seat of Rurik's brother in the 9th century. It is one of the sights beyond the city that the sources single out.
Treat it as an excursion and combine it with the Pskov-Caves Monastery if you are giving a day to the surrounding area.
8. St. John's Cathedral
St. John's was completed by 1243, making it one of the older churches named among Pskov's landmarks. It belongs to the group of ancient cathedrals that, with the Mirozhsky and Snetogorsky monasteries, predate the city's later church-building.
See it as part of a wider walk through the city's churches rather than as a standalone stop.
9. Snetogorsky Monastery
The Snetogorsky Monastery was built in 1310 and stucco-painted in 1313. Like the Mirozhsky Monastery, it is one of the ancient cathedral complexes that give Pskov its architectural character.
Combine it with the other monastery sites if you are tracing the city's medieval religious buildings in one stretch.
10. St. Basil's on the Hill
St. Basil's on the Hill dates to 1413 and is among the most notable of the many churches Pskov preserves from the 15th and 16th centuries.
These churches are scattered through the city, so group several into a single walking route rather than visiting them one at a time.
11. St. Kozma and Demian's near the Bridge
St. Kozma and Demian's near the Bridge dates to 1463. Its name tells you where to find it, which makes it an easy church to fold into a walk along the river.
Use it as a marker on a route that also takes in the Kremlin and the riverbank.
12. St. George's from the Downhill
St. George's from the Downhill dates to 1494 and is one of the notable churches of the 15th and 16th centuries listed among Pskov's landmarks.
Add it to the same walking route as the other churches rather than making a dedicated journey.
13. Assumption from the Ferryside
The Church of the Assumption from the Ferryside dates to 1444 and 1521, and is counted among Pskov's most notable churches.
Its position reflects the city's relationship with the river, so see it while you are already walking the waterfront.
14. St. Nicholas' from Usokha
St. Nicholas' from Usokha dates to 1536 and is one of the later churches in the group of notable 15th- and 16th-century buildings.
Include it in a church-focused walk, and note that many of these buildings are best appreciated from the outside as part of the city's streetscape.
15. The merchant mansions
Pskov's 17th-century residential architecture is represented by merchant mansions: the Salt House, the Pogankin Palace and the Trubinsky mansion. The Pogankin Palace is the one you will already know, since it houses the Pskov Museum.
Look for the others as you move between the churches and the Kremlin, since they sit within the same central area.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at the Pskov Krom and spend the morning inside the walls, moving through Dovmont's city and the Trinity Cathedral. Both are within the same citadel, so no travel between them is needed.
Afternoon. Walk to the Pskov Museum on ul. Nekrasov, housed in Pogankin's Palace, for the silver, art and icons. If time allows, cross the river to the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Saviour for the 12th-century frescoes, or to the Mirozhsky Monastery for its 12th-century frescoes.
Evening. Finish with a walk along the Velikaya River, taking in the city's churches and merchant mansions as the light drops. Keep the Pskov-Caves Monastery and Izborsk for a separate day, since both lie outside the city.
Frequently asked questions
Which sites in Pskov are recognised on the UNESCO World Heritage List?
Many of Pskov's churches and fortresses are listed as the Churches of the Pskov School of Architecture.
Is the Pskov-Caves Monastery in the city itself?
No. It is one of the sights in the vicinity of Pskov, along with Izborsk, so plan it as an excursion rather than part of a city walk.
Are the frescoes in Pskov original?
The Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Saviour has 12th-century Byzantine-style frescoes, among the few to survive the Mongol expansion into Eastern Europe. The Mirozhsky Monastery is known for its 12th-century frescoes.
Where can I see Pskov's collection of icons and silver?
At the Pskov Museum on ul. Nekrasov, which is housed in Pogankin's Palace and holds a large collection of silver, art and religious icons.
Start with the Krom and the Trinity Cathedral, then build the rest of your days around the river, the churches and the monasteries beyond the city.