Pskov is a city to enjoy magnificent powerful beauty of the Kremlin fortification walls, combined with tiny and cozy charm of Orthodox churches.

In the Povest Vremennykh Let ("Tale of Bygone Years") Pskov is mentioned first time as an already existing town dating back to 903. Its subsequent history is determined by the convenient location at the trading ways between Russia and the Baltic region, and also by the fact that the city was always a Western Russian outpost. In the XVI century Pskov turned into a powerful defense town. By that time the Pskov fortress had about 40 towers and the length of its walls was 9 kilometres. For many centuries, till 1700s, Pskov was involved in wars with German knight orders, Lithuania (later Poland), Sweden, and also periodically had hostile relations with neighboring Novgorod. Even though close surroundings of the city were plundered many times, Pskov was never conquered.

After the Northern War and annexation of Baltic states by Russia (1721) the state border was moved far away West from Pskov, and the latter gradually turned into an ordinary provincial town.

In 1917 at Pskov train station Tsar Nicholas the Second signed his abdication.
In 1918, Pskov for nine months was occupied by German troops. The city was also occupied, and also by Germans, during the Second World War, from July 1941 till July 1944, and considerably damaged during the occupation.

However despite of all the wars Pskov had to withstand, it still preserves much of its medieval walls, built from the 13th century on. The Krom, or medieval citadel, looks as impressive as ever. Within its walls rises the 256-foot-tall Trinity Cathedral, founded in 1138 .

Pskov is exceedingly rich in tiny, squat, picturesque churches, dating mainly from the 15th and the 16th centuries. There are many dozens of them, the most notable being St. Basil's on the Hill (1413), St. Kozma and Demian's near the Bridge (1463), St. George's from the Downhill (1494), Assumption from the Ferryside (1444, 1521), and St. Nicholas' from Usokha (1536).

In Pskov and its suburbs were preserved and restored many noteworthy historical and architectural monuments. There are some works of Pskov iconographic school in the Pskov historical-architectural and art reserve. Frescos of XII century are carefully kept in the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral of the Mirozhsky monastery. These frescos are registered by UNESCO as the monuments of culture of world value.

Near Pskov lies the Izborsk fortress (XIV) connected with the legendary Varangian Truvor. The fortress affords a fine view on the Zheraviye lake and Izborsk valley, which is natural reserve.

At the border with Estonia stands the Svyato-Uspensky Monastery, which picturesque architectural ensemble has been formed for several centuries.

In the south of the Pskov land the Pushkin Reserve is situated. It is the territory that keeps ashes of the great Russian poet.