Gardarika

3-12

Authors: Alexandr N. Bondar

The article is devoted to the defensive bell tower of the 17th century in Sulichеvka. This monument is unique and has no analogues in Ukraine. An analysis of the available material showed that the bell tower was built not later than the end of the 17th century. Initially, it was part of the complex construction of a fortified manor. From the manor there was a small ditch from the north side and a tower. In the 18th century the tower and manor lost their defensive purpose. On the site of the estate in the late 18 century a church was built. Initially, the church and the bell tower stood separately from each other. However, in 1894 they were connected by a corridor. The tower plays the role of the bell tower today. In the early 2000's it was restored, but very poorly. This led to an excess of moisture and a crack in the basement of the tower.

4-12

Authors: Alexandr N. Bondar

The article is devoted to the influence of Chernigov's natural and geographical base on the formation of its development. The relief of Chernigov was greatly altered in the Old Russ’ time. The important role in the process of building Chernigov was played by such rivers as Desna and Strizhen. The main manifestation of landscape changes were defensive lines. Those divided the plateau of the terrace on which the city was located. The influence of anthropogenic factor on the relief of the city was minimal in the 14th-16th century. Because the population of the city was ten times less than in the Old Russ’ time. However, since the second half of the 17th century. The influence of city residents on the formation of landscapes is increasing. The old defensive lines are renewed and new ones are being built. This leads to the formation of new natural-architectural axes. Inhabitants gradually adapted the relief to their needs. But already at the beginning of the 19th century. This process was interrupted in connection with the redevelopment of the city on a new pre-planned plan.

35-49

Authors: Evgenij M. Osadchij

The article addresses the issue of the development of the Boromlya fortress. Using historical and cartographic sources an attempt is made to reconstruct the development of the settlement. The position of the fortress withing the modern village of Boromlya is determined using modern maps and topographical investigations. The articles shed light on the type of fortifications and weaponry of the fortress as well as the size of the garrison stationed there.

190-196

Authors: Alexandr N. Bondar

The article is devoted the fortifications of the city Oster in the period between the 16th and 18th centuries. The Oster city has emerged as a border fortress in 11th century between the principality of Chernigov and principality of Pereyaslav’l. In the Late Middle Ages it was castle border between the Rzeczpospolita and Muscovy. During its history the city has twice changed its position. The fortifications were three transferred on different places. They are almost no traces today.

214-235

Authors: Evgenij M. Osadchij

The paper presents the studies carried out on the territory of the modern village of Kuzemin. This settlement originated as a small fortified settlement of the Sever tribe, and then the center of the rural community of Ancient Rus. After its destruction by the Mongols in the XIII century, life there is resumed in the middle of the XVII century. Kuzemin become a base of the military “sotnya” of regiments from Poltava, and then of Zinkovskaya and Hadiach regiments. During the events of the Great Northern War 1708-1709's, it was occupied by Swedish troops and destroyed during their departure. In the XVIII century Kuzemin becomes a remote and insignificant settlement of the Chernigov region. It is, however, known as a centre of pottery and woodworking crafts.

130-136

Authors: Alexandr N. Bondar

The article is devoted to the topography of the fortified manor of Chernigov colonel V. Dunin-Borkowski and his descendants in Velikiy Listven. The existence of the estate was initiated at the end of the 17th century. It was a close in plan to a square of the territory fortified with a rampart and moat. Its area was 4.5 hectares. There were situated the brick houses and buildings owners, as well as the stone Church. On the North side of the estate there were the peasants’ houses, there was a Posad near the fortifications. In the 19th century the estate was radically reconstructed, and the fortifications were destroyed. Some buildings of the 19th century have preserved to our time.

166-178

Authors: Evgenij M. Osadchij

This work is dedicated to the analysis of fortifications and the topographic setting of one of the original settlements of the North-Western Slobozhanshchyna of Mezhirich. This fortes was built by the Cossack migrants from Volynia in the middle of the XVII century. The arrangements of fortifications demonstrates that this is a clear example of Cossack military engineering. Information regarding the modern name of the village Mezhirich provided, which shows the origin of the name in the XVII century

76-85

Authors: Alexei M. Avlasovich

This article is dedicated to the first Christian burials, discovered in the archaeological researches of urban complexes at the territory of Mogilev near the rivers Dnieper and Sozh. In this region, the four early ground cemeteries were discovered and they date back approximately to the XII century. The authors note that the change in funeral rites in burial necropolises on the territory of Mogilev Dnieper and Sozh indicates the penetration of Christianity in this region at the end of X–beginning of XI century. At the same time, in the cities, the centers of the spread of a new religion, the ground of the cemetery is dated from not earlier the XII century. A likely explanation for this can be observed in the XI century tradition of burying the dead under the earthen embankment in nearby barrow cemeteries.

94-107

Authors: Sergey I. Degtyarev

This work completes the publication of descriptions of human settlements of Baturyn county (uezd) in the Ukraine (Malorossia), which were presented to the last Ukrainian hetman Kirill Razumovsky by Empress Elizabeth (Elizaveta Petrovna) in 1760. The total number of donated villages, towns and villages in the county there were 21: Baturin, Velikii i Malyi Sambor, Altynovka, Koributov, Yur'evka, Koshara, Deptovka, Golyunka, Rubanka, Gorodishche, Bakhmach, Kuren', Podlipnoe, Popovka, Guty, Staroe, Obmachev, Novye Mliny, Velikoe Ustya, Korilsk. Now all these settlements are part of the Sumy and Chernihiv regions of Ukraine. Previously, they were owned by Menshikov. The disclosures of all these settlements were concentrated in the same document, dated as 1760, which is stored in Konotop museum. The author gives a description of the hamlets (selo) Kuren', Popovka, Guty and Staroe.

122-126

Authors: Wolodymyr M. Pylypenko

The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth had difficult relations with the Ottoman Empire. The country often proclaimed its readiness to either begin the Great War against the Turks or join it. However, it tried to escape the war by all means. In a big amount of political literature dedicated to Turkey, which can be de divided into two groups according to the origin, one can find many descriptions of Istanbul, its topography and lifestyle. Some books written by witnesses (merchants, travelers, diplomats) are more objective, the characteristics – more precise, and full of details. Others belong to people who never visited Istanbul and retold somebody’s stories. They are not profound and full of stereotypes and toposes. Istanbul was depicted as a big city. Authors described mosques, but emphasized they used to be Christian churches trying to show the Christian past of the city. Many Christians (both slaves and free people) in Istanbul were mentioned. The Polish hoped for their support in case of war. Giving old and new names of Constantinople districts the writers knew the history very well. The authors were convinced in military weakness of Istanbul. According to their information, the city walls have never been fixed so it was easy to grab it. Istanbul and the Ottoman Empire used to be compared to dragon in its negative meaning. Polish publiсism shows the level of knowledge about the Ottoman Empire and we can distinguish between real facts and the author’s imagination.