Gdov

Gdov stands on the Gdovka near its entry into Lake Peipus, guarding the northern approaches to Pskov. In 1431 the people of Pskov built a new fortress here on a hill between the river and the Staritsa stream. A ditch protected its more exposed side, and both Pskov's treasury and local landholders contributed to the work. The stronghold became an important point on the frontier with Livonia.

In 1480 Livonian forces attacked by night, besieged Gdov and burned its trading settlement. Further wars brought Polish and Swedish armies to its walls. Sweden eventually took the town in 1614, and it returned to Russian control after the Treaty of Stolbovo and the subsequent settlement of the frontier. A fire damaged the fortress in 1698; its defences were strengthened during Peter I's wars. As Russia's border moved west after the Great Northern War, Gdov ceased to serve as a frontier fortress, though its walls remained above the river.