Kursk Fortress: on the Question of the Borders of Natural Defense Fortentions

Abstract

Relevance. This article is an attempt at a comparative analysis of the changes in the central part of Kursk that occurred during the implementation of the master plan for the construction of the city. This topic is poorly represented in the scientific literature, and therefore is relevant and in demand.The purpose of the article: on the basis of available materials (plans, drawings, photographs) to determine the boundaries of the medieval defensive ditch of the city of Kursk and its influence on the city plan.The objectives arise from the set goal: to find the boundaries of the Kursk medieval fortress; find out how the ditch was «fitted» into the new plan of Kursk; establish the location of the defensive ditch.Methodology. The article is based on the general principles of historicism, scientific objectivity and consistency. In addition to the above principles, the reconstruction method and the comparative historical method were used.Results. Thanks to the method of superimposing city plans and satellite images of the city, the location of the defensive ditch of Kursk as it was at the end of the 18th century was established. The possible boundaries of the medieval fortress and the location relative to existing buildings have been established, taking into account the repeated changes in the relief of the central part of the city. The boundaries of the moat were established on the northern and western sides of the fortress.Conclusion. In the work done, the probable boundaries of the medieval city and the location of the defensive moat on the north and west sides were established. The width and depth of the moat in the Pervomaisky Park area were also determined. A time frame has been set for filling in the defensive structure in connection with the implementation of the urban development plan of 1782.