The fortress in the town of Great Luke Pskov region - a historical and cultural monument. This fortress is preserved in the form in which it acquired at the beginning of the 18th century. Until that time, these fortifications were modified and rebuilt, the older versions of the buildings have not been preserved.

The presence of fortifications here for the first time confirmed in the chronicles in 1198. Until that time, written information on this site is not available. The chronicles describes invasion of Great Luke tribes Lithuanians and Polotsk, who burned the homes of local residents - "mansions," and they took refuge in the "city", that is, in the Kremlin. Later, in 1211, Novgorod Chronicle noted the construction of fortifications, together with Novgorod.

In 1493 in the chronicle describes the new building fortifications at the site of the old. It also indicates that the construction was entrusted to the Grand Prince Ivan Vasilyevich. On these structures have survived eyewitness, Austrian diplomat Sigismund Herberstein in his "Memoirs of Muscovy," which he wrote during his two trips to Russia in 1517 and 1526 respectively.

There is a significant difference in the values ​​of the "Kremlin" and "fortress" that apply to buildings of various periods. At first it was the Kremlin - the strengthening of the stockade, or other material. It was located on the left bank of the river Lovat. And later still, and it was built fortress - earthen wall with a thick and high prison, wooden towers and gates carriageways. The fortress encircled the entire territory of the city, which is located on both banks of Lovat. Later, the Kremlin has become part of a large fortress that protected the city.

From August 26 to September 5, 1580 there was an attack on the city of Stefan Batory troops who destroyed the fortress and the Kremlin. However, the conqueror badly needs to be strengthened and began looking for a new place for their construction. After inspecting the area, he decided to use the same room for the new fortifications. He even developed a plan of his own construction. Thus, September 17, 1580 the work was completed and fortifications once again rebuilt.

In the 17th century, during the Time of Troubles, a result of several raids castle was again destroyed. At that time it was a policemen walls and 12 towers. Two of them were travelers of the gate. The total perimeter of the fortifications of approximately 1125-1156 meters.

The fortress, which has been preserved to the present day, was built by decree of Peter I in 1704-1708, respectively, and was on the left bank of the Lovat. Now it was a fortress bastion type. The author of the project was a mathematician Magnitsky LF Construction took place under the supervision of General Naryshkin. The fortress had the shape of an irregular hexagon with six bastions at the corners, twelve copper and iron and forty guns, two mortars.

After the end of the Battle of Poltava, ie after the 1709 military significance of the fortress was lost. During the war with Napoleon in 1812, it was the assembly point of the Russian troops.

In addition to military installations inside the fort were two churches - the Cathedral of the Resurrection with two chapels and St. Nicholas Church. Also on the territory of the fortress are the powder magazine, barracks, a guardhouse, shops, barns, blacksmith shop, a curfew yard Office, prison food warehouses.

During World War II the fortress once again gained its importance and was the venue for Velikie operation in 1942-1943. Today the castle is a museum (1971). In her six bastions and two pairs of gates. The height of the walls is 21, 3 meters, and the tower - 50 meters. The total area is 11, 8 hectares.