In the Middle Ages in Russia, fortifications were originally built of wood. This resource in most regions was available in unlimited quantities. For this reason, many early fortresses have not survived to this day. The Khlynovsk Kremlin is an ancient defensive structure, from which only memories remain today.
The history of the construction of the Khlynovsk Kremlin
Modern researchers agree that the Kremlin in the city of Hlynov was built in the middle of the fifteenth century. In those days, the Vyatka Republic was part of the Galician coalition, leading the fight against Moscow. For this reason, the construction of the fortress was a necessary measure of protection. The Khlynovsk Kremlin was erected 300 meters from the ancient Vyatka settlement, founded in the 12th century. The place was chosen by chance.
Along the perimeter, the fortress was protected not only by walls with towers, but also by natural barriers. From the east and south, the Kremlin was protected by a deep ravine and steep bank of the river. An artificial moat was dug from two other sides. Initially, the Kremlin had five towers, three of which were passageways. In addition, the fortress wall had two chopped gorodni and three conclusions for squeakers. The towers of the Khlynovsk Kremlin were named: Spasskaya, Voskresenskaya, Epiphany, Nikolskaya and Pokrovskaya.
The heyday and decline of the fortress in Hlynov
In 1489, the Vyatka Republic was incorporated into the Moscow state. At the same time, the Khlynovsk Kremlin (Kirov is the modern name of the city of Khlynov) remains an important strategic object. The fortification is constantly being strengthened and slightly rebuilt. In the sixteenth century, attention was paid to the borders of the posad. Initially, they are strengthened with a wooden picket fence and a moat.
In the second half of the seventeenth century, the borders of the posad were expanded. To protect them, various structures were erected: ditches, earthen ramparts, gorodni and conclusions. In the 1700th, a strong fire occurred in the city, destroying a significant part of the wooden buildings. After 20 years, the construction of a stone wall was begun. By that time, the Khlynovsk Kremlin was losing its military significance. The new wall serves as a guard fence for the bishop’s house. At the end of the eighteenth century, completely preserved fragments of an old wooden fortress were demolished.
"Decorative Kremlin"
In the 1840s, the stone Hlynovsk Kremlin was rebuilt several times. Around the same time (at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries) a complex of stone church buildings was formed on the territory of the ruined wooden fortress. It housed the Trinity Cathedral, the home of the Archbishop, the Transfiguration Monastery. Towards the end of the 19th century, a fence with turrets was erected. The fence was built on the site where the ancient fortress walls were once located.
In the 30s of the twentieth century, all the buildings of the "new" Kremlin, also called "decorative", were destroyed. Two typical houses were erected near the Clogged Gully, the basement floors of which were rebuilt from the remains of a white-stone fence. Since then, the Khlynovsk Kremlin has been a history preserved only in ancient legends and ancient drawings.
Modern reminders of the former greatness of the Khlynovsk Kremlin
Due to numerous reconstructions and various disasters, today in the city that was once called Khlynov, there are very few ancient monuments of architecture. During a walk through the historical center, you can see only fragments of an earthen rampart that once strengthened the borders of the posad. In our time, there are only three such historical places. You can personally touch on the history of the city in the Appolo children's park (south-western part), behind the Pobeda movie theater (today the Gaudi Hall club is located in this building) and near the city comprehensive school No. 22.
Not far from the places where fragments of the Posad shaft were preserved, towers were once located. Be sure to visit the city museum of local lore if you want to find out what the Khlynovsk Kremlin looked like. Kirov is the modern name of the city that was once marked on the maps as Khlynov. It does not make sense to go here specifically for the sake of exploring the remains of the Posad shaft. But if you have the opportunity, be sure to visit the local attractions. Do not forget to buy a couple of postcards with images of old city panoramas.