City Kingisepp is a big industrial city in north-western Russia. The historical development of the city dates back to the 14th century. As you know, at all times Novgorod Republic was the center of an attack of Swedish and German armies. Over time, the Novgorod fortress could not withstand the onslaught of the enemy, because of which in 1384 it was decided to erect one of the banks of the River Luga, near the river flows into the Gulf of Finland, a fortress of Yam.

The earliest fortifications fortress Yam were almost completely destroyed, and then rebuilt again .  In those days, the castle served as not only an excellent defense, but also a military structure, because it was built according to the latest requirements of engineering and the art of war of the 14th century .  Yamburgskaya fortress stood on the bank of the river meadows and the shape of a trapezoid, or quadrilateral .  On the perimeter fence of the fortress was built with high stone walls, gates and tower additions .  As a building material was selected gray limestone, as well as large boulders .  The city walls with the outer and inner sides were facing a hewn limestone .  The inner part of the wall consisted of rubble held together with a solution .  Outdoor component of the fortress was defended by a large moat, preserved to our days .  Construction of the new fortress of Yam took only 33 days, after five regions Novgorod took part in it . 

In 1395 it was the first attack was carried out on the Swedish troops Yamburgskoye strength and dignity she has passed the first test. Two years later, the construction of impregnable interested Livonian knights, but they did not dare to approach her. The major role played by the strengthening of the military fortress of Yam during the war with Sweden and Novgorod Livonian Order during 1433 to 1448 years. In 1444 the share of the five-day siege of the fortress fell, which still managed to fight off. In 1447 the Livonian Order again attacked the impregnable fortress that was the most memorable event in its military history. The siege lasted for more than 13 days, for which the German troops on several occasions attempted to assault the fortress of massive firing guns. But the fortress bravely suffered the attack of the enemy, saving the lives of many soldiers.

Frequent war and attack the tower and caused its walls to a condition requiring immediate repair. That is why in 1448 a peace treaty was signed between the Livonian Order and Novgorod. Archbishop of Novgorod Euthymius II ordered to disassemble the castle and build in its place a new large stone fortress.

New fortress was built in the same place, but had a trapezoid shape. It is interesting that the eastern part of the wall was slightly concave, imitating a river bend. From the outside perimeter wall reached to the level of 720 m, and the total area equal to 2, 5 hectares. It was the first castle, which has the right and proper planning. The fortress was equipped with towers differ incredible power.

Yamburgskaya fortress had a distinctive feature - Detinets consisting of four towers, which greatly complicates the process of penetrating the fortress. It is known that the wall thickness is not less than four meters.

Over time, the fortress was formed around a city that became the center of commerce on the river Luga. By the time the influence of Novgorod greatly weakened, so the new city quickly began to prosper.

In the autumn of 1581 the Swedes seized the fortress of Yamburg, and after a while, she went to Sweden. The Swedish government decided not to rebuild the dilapidated castle, so in 1682 it was just blown. In 1703 Yamburg was returned to Russia, but the fortress had lost its purpose and began to break through.

Today Yamburg fortress is gone, but the small stone fragments of all can be seen from the shore of the Luga. Once on the site stood the extraordinary power of a fortress, not a place which is now spread their crowns of centuries-old majestic trees.