Ivangorod Fortress is a castle constructed near the town of Ivangorod, Russia. It sits near the Narva River, opposite the city of Narva. The castle was constructed in one summer, in the year 1492. It was named after Muscovite Grand Prince Ivan III. Its' purpose was to fend off the Teutonic Knights. The castle is strictly quadlilateral, measuring 1600 sq. ft., with walls 14 meters tall. In 1496, the entire population inside the fortress was destroyed after a seven hour siege by Swedish forces. However, the Swedes fled after they learned that Muscovite forces were approaching to retake the castle. Ivangorod was won back later in the year by Muscovite forces, under the command of Voyvode Ivan Gundar and Mikhail Klyapin. Three thousand troops arrived to retake the castle, rebuild it, and construct a new barracks and stronger bastions. For almost 10 years, the land around the castle was in constant warfare. The fortress and the land around changed hands repeatedly. The castle was reconstructed and fortified many times, becoming one of the strongest defensive structures in the 16th century. The castle was in development until the 17th century, becoming a large, sprawling fortress with several lines of defense. In 1704, Peter the Great captured the castle from Swedish troops, putting the fortress back into Russian control, where it has remained ever since. Ivangorod, (Jaanilinn) a small Russian town situated on the right bank of Narva River by the Russian - Estonian border. ... Narva river is a river which flows at the eastern border of Estonia. ... Narva (Russian Нарва) is an Estonian city located on the Russian border. ... Events January 2 - Boabdil, the last Moorish King of Granada, surrenders his city to the army of Ferdinand and Isabella after a lengthy siege. ... Muscovite layer Muscovite, also known as potash mica, is a phyllosilicate mineral of aluminium and potassium. ... Albus rex Ivan III Ivan III Vasilevich (Иван III Васильевич) (January 22, 1440 - October 27, 1505), also known as Ivan the Great, was a grand duke of Muscovy who first adopted a more pretentious title of the grand duke of all the Russias. Sometimes referred to as the gatherer of... Teutonic Knights, charging into battle. ... Events January 3 - Leonardo da Vinci unsuccessfully tests a flying machine. ... Events Building of the Students Monument in Aiud, Romania. ... Peter I Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia Peter I (Pyotr Alekseyvich) (9 June 1672–8 February 1725 [30 May 1672–28 January 1725 O.S.1]) ruled Russia from 7 May (27 April O.S.) 1682 until his death. ...

External Links

Xenophongi.org Ivangorod fortress site (http://www.xenophongi.org/ruscity/fortress/ivangorod/ivangor1.htm)

Museums of Lenningrad Ivangorod site (http://www.oblmuseums.spb.ru/eng/museums/04/guide.html)