The Fortresses of the Great Lithuanian Principality on the Territory of the Kievan Area (History of Research)

Abstract

The study of fortresses on the territory of the Kyiv area in the Lithuanian period is one of the actual tasks of the formation of a new look on the Ukrainian history. As it is known it was the stage of the castell tower system of fortification, taking not only defense, but social and political, economic position, status of administrative centers and places of living of the social elite.
 In the course of the Lithuanian period, the following stages of the development of system of castell constructing are fixed: At the end of 14th — at the beginning of 15th century the castell tower system of fortification had been formed;
 On the second stage at the middle of 15th — in the second half of 16th century — the period of adaptation of the castell tower system to the artillery and the appearance of the system of basteja.
 In the Kyiv area two types of fortress constructing were fixed. The North and central parts of the area: the continuation of Old Rus traditions of the fortification on the base of wooden and earth constructions with two or three flour wooden towers. The transmission to the arm stage on the base of artillery took place. Planning structure: triangle and rectangular forms.
 On the South — the transition to the stone tower system, fortificated with wooden-earth constructions and stone counterforts, two or three flour towers, distribution of European types artillery. Planning structure: triangle and rectangular forms.
 For example: the Kyiv Castle which became the center of statehood in the time of Vladimir Olgerdovich; the system of castles in the rest of the territory; the creation of the fortification system of the South by Prince Vytautas, which facilitated trade in Europe from Krakow to the Black Sea coast and composition of the new federal state.