Zaraysk Kremlin

The Zaraysk Kremlin is a rectangular fortified citadel, built on the orders of the Grand Prince Vasili III, originally constructed between 1528 and 1531, and located in the European part of Russia. It forms the historic centre of the industrial town of Zaraysk, roughly 160 km (100 miles) to the south-east of Moscow.

History

Around 1503, Zaraysk became part of Moscow when Principality of Ryazan lost its independence and was merged into Muscovy. Till this point, Ryazan had provided a protective buffer for Muscovy against potential attack from Tatars in the south.

Just two years after completion in 1531, in 1533 the new stone-walled kremlin found itself under attack from Crimean Tartars. There was another attack in 1541 from forces under the Crimean Khan Sahib I Giray, which was beaten off by Nazar Glebov. Further attacks by Crimean Tartars took place 1544, in 1570, 1573 and 1591.

The little kremlin had been constructed by a village called Novogorodok-upon-the-Osyotr, but in the seventeenth century the growing surrounding settlement acquired the name Zaraysk. In 1608, during the Time of Troubles, the kremlin fell into the hands of Polish invaders under the leadership of Aleksander Józef Lisowski, but was subsequently liberated by Dmitry Pozharsky. 1673 saw a final attack from Crimean Tartars. After this episode the fortress was placed under the protection of the icon of the Madonna of Kazan.

Zaraysk

Zaraysk (Russian: Зара́йск) is a town and the administrative center of Zaraysky District in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located about 162 kilometers (101 mi) southeast from Moscow. Population: 24,645 (2010 Census); 25,093 (2002 Census); 26,958 (1989 Census).

Geography

The town stands on the right bank of the Osyotr River, which is a right confluent of the Oka.

History

In the Middle Ages, the town belonged to the Princes of Ryazan and was known as Krasnoye (13th century) and Novogorodok-upon-the-Osyotr (14th and 15th centuries). From 1528 onwards, the town was called "the town of Nikola Zarazsky" and only by the beginning of 17th century it received its present name of Zaraysk. Before the 20th century, the town was a part of Ryazan Governorate and its architecture and vernacular dialect seem closer to Ryazan than to Moscow.

In the Grand Duchy of Moscow, Zaraysk was one of the fortresses forming a part of the Great Abatis Border, a fortified line of felled trees, barricades, fortresses, ditches, which were built by Russians as a protection against the hordes of the Crimean and Kazan Tatars. In 1531, a stone kremlin was built in place of the former wooden citadel. The Tatars failed to take the fortress during their raids in 1533, 1541, and 1570. It was briefly captured by the Lisowczycy during the Time of Troubles.