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Not far from the walls of the Izborg fortress is Truvorovo or the Old Izobrskoye settlement. It bears the name of the famous Varangian, who briefly reigned in Izborsk at the end of the 9th century. Many centuries ago, the glorious history of the unbroken Slavic city began here. Truvorovo settlement today is a forty-meter triangular hill with fragments of fortifications around, abruptly breaking off from the side of Gorodishchenskoye Lake. The Izborsko-Malskaya valley is perfectly visible from it.
The earthen rampart, erected by the hands of the ancient Slavs, was equipped with a log wall, the upper part of which was a pointed stake. Its charred remains were discovered by archaeologists.
The southern part, turning into a flat field, is fortified by ancient izboryans with a horseshoe-shaped rampart, a moat of the same shape. They resemble the shaft of a stretched bow, turned in the direction from which the enemy could most likely be expected. Today the shaft reaches a height of 6 meters, and the moat is 3 meters deep.
A rampart erected from clay also guarded the cape part of the settlement from the 10th century. It was possible to get into the inner part of the settlement from the outdoor side. The entrance to it passed along the edge of the northeastern slope. In this place, the ditch was equipped with an embankment, and the rampart had a narrow passage, traces of which can still be seen today. An additional fortification of that time was the wooden church of St. Nicholas.
Today it is made of stone.
An interesting sight of the Tuvorov settlement was a stone cross located in an ancient cemetery. It is believed that it was installed over the burial place of Prince Izborsk, the glorious Varangian Truvor, who during his principality significantly strengthened the city, erected a wooden, but powerful for those times, fortress in it. "The Tale of Bygone Years" mentions the prince and his city.
Scientists believe that the cross was installed much later, but this does not make it less remarkable. It rises above the ground by more than two meters, its front side still retains Slavic letters half-erased by bad weather and time. Next to the huge cross are smaller monuments. Some of them brought to us the remains of linear drawings of geometric shapes.
Catherine II, who believed this legend, ordered to make a special medal dedicated to the memory of Truvor. Its front side contained a fictitious portrait of Rurik, and the reverse Truvorov mound with the inscription "Memorable to this day" indicating below the year of death of the famous prince.
The history of Truvorov settlement is covered with a mysterious veil. According to local residents, its secrets are reliably guarded by snakes. They do not allow hunters for ancient treasures, archaeological relics to the Truvorov settlement. Among the Truvor people, the cross is revered as a powerful source of earthly energy or an "energy pillar". Local old-timers assure that if, with your arms outstretched, you venerate the cross on one side, you will be filled to the brim with good, bright energy. If you approach the cross from the other side, then an evil force will overwhelm you.
You can get to Stary Izborsk by bus from St. Petersburg in the direction of Pechory or Pskov - Pechory - Stary Izborsk. You can also use your own car with a card.
