Tiversk
Encyclopedia
Tiversk or Tiversky gorodok was a medieval Karelian fortified settlement 215–300 m. long and 40–56 m. wide in the Karelian Isthmus
, near Melnikovo
, Leningrad Oblast
. It was situated on an island of the River Vuoksi, which became a peninsula after 1857, near rapids.
The fort gained in prominence in 1323 when the Treaty of Nöteborg
established a Novgorodian-Swedish border in the immediate vicinity. It was then mentioned in the Nikon Chronicle
in 1404, when the settlement was granted to Prince Yury of Smolensk
as an appanage
. Seven years later, the fort was sacked and destroyed by the Swedes during one of the Swedish-Novgorodian Wars
.
The site of Tiversk was first identified and described by Jacob Groot in 1847. The remnants were excavated in 1888-1891 by Hjalmar Appelgren, Theodor Schwindt and Alfred Hackman
, in 1971 by Anatoly Kirpichnikov, and in 1971-1974 by Svetlana Kochkurkina. Most remnants are dated end of the 13th-beginning of the 15th century. In 1890 archaeological works revealed a treasure trove with 13th-15th century Arabic silver coins. Some remnants dated 10th-early 12th century have also been discovered. The ramparts and stone walls of the settlement were 4.5 to 7 metres thick.
Karelian Isthmus
The Karelian Isthmus is the approximately 45–110 km wide stretch of land, situated between the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga in northwestern Russia, to the north of the River Neva . Its northwestern boundary is the relatively narrow area between the Bay of Vyborg and Lake Ladoga...
, near Melnikovo
Melnikovo, Leningrad Oblast
Melnikovo is a settlement on Karelian Isthmus, in Priozersky District of Leningrad Oblast. Before the Winter War and Continuation War it was the administrative center of the Räisälä municipality of Finland....
, Leningrad Oblast
Leningrad Oblast
Leningrad Oblast is a federal subject of Russia . It was established on August 1, 1927, although it was not until 1946 that the oblast's borders had been mostly settled in their present position...
. It was situated on an island of the River Vuoksi, which became a peninsula after 1857, near rapids.
The fort gained in prominence in 1323 when the Treaty of Nöteborg
Treaty of Nöteborg
Treaty of Nöteborg, also known as Treaty of Oreshek , is a conventional name for the peace treaty that was signed at Orekhovets on August 12, 1323. It was the first settlement between Sweden and Novgorod Republic regulating their border...
established a Novgorodian-Swedish border in the immediate vicinity. It was then mentioned in the Nikon Chronicle
Nikon Chronicle
The Nikon Chronicle or Chronicle of Nikon , also known as the Patriarch's Chronicle , is a major 16th century Russian chronicle. It was named after patriarch Nikon, who owned a copy...
in 1404, when the settlement was granted to Prince Yury of Smolensk
Yury of Smolensk
Yury Svyatoslavich or Georgy Svyatoslavovich was the last sovereign ruler of Smolensk and Bryansk whose life was spent in vain attempts to fend off aggression by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.- Biography :...
as an appanage
Appanage
An apanage or appanage or is the grant of an estate, titles, offices, or other things of value to the younger male children of a sovereign, who would otherwise have no inheritance under the system of primogeniture...
. Seven years later, the fort was sacked and destroyed by the Swedes during one of the Swedish-Novgorodian Wars
Swedish-Novgorodian Wars
Swedish–Novgorodian Wars were a series of conflicts in the 12th and 13th centuries between the Republic of Novgorod and medieval Sweden over control of the Gulf of Finland, an area vital to the Hanseatic League and part of the Varangian-Byzantine trade route...
.
The site of Tiversk was first identified and described by Jacob Groot in 1847. The remnants were excavated in 1888-1891 by Hjalmar Appelgren, Theodor Schwindt and Alfred Hackman
Alfred Hackman
Alfred Hackman , was sub-librarian at the Bodleian Library.Hackman was born at Fulham, near London, 8 April 1811. His father, Thomas Hackman, was the parochial vestry clerk, and his office brought him into connection with the Bishop of London . Through Howley's influence Hackman matriculated as a...
, in 1971 by Anatoly Kirpichnikov, and in 1971-1974 by Svetlana Kochkurkina. Most remnants are dated end of the 13th-beginning of the 15th century. In 1890 archaeological works revealed a treasure trove with 13th-15th century Arabic silver coins. Some remnants dated 10th-early 12th century have also been discovered. The ramparts and stone walls of the settlement were 4.5 to 7 metres thick.