One of Russia’s oldest, most historically significant, yet least well known cities: welcome to Pskov! Situated a mere 20 kilometres from the Estonian border, Pskov is a perfect city for those who want to explore ancient Russian culture before heading off to the bigger centres.

The first written reference to Pskov dates back to the year 903 in the Povest Vremennykh Let (Chronicles of the Old Years) with the marriage of Igor, prince of Kievan Rus’, to Olga of Pskov (c. 890 – 969). Prince Igor’s bride is still honoured in the Russian Orthodox Church.
In its heyday, Pskov was a major trading hub, Kievan Rus’s largest partner within the Hanseatic Union, and one of the richest cities in the country. Aside from its commercial value, Pskov was also one of the country’s most important fortresses, a bastion-city surrounded by five thick stone walls, unique in contemporary Europe.
Pskov’s wealth and strategic significance earned it a fair deal of unwelcome attention. Approximately one third of the city’s medieval history was spent at war, including battles with Tatar-Mongol and Swedish troops. One of the most epic battles fought near Pskov was the Battle on the Ice, won by the legendary hero Alexander Nevsky (c. 1120 – 1263).
More recently, Pskov bore witness to the end of the Russian Empire, as Nicholas II (1868 – 1918) was stripped of his title of emperor at the city’s train station. A plaque referring to this historical moment can still be found there today.

Getting there:
Two long-distance trains depart from St.Petersburg’s Vitebsky Vokzal (metro Pushkinskaya) daily, also stopping in Pskov. Both trains depart at 19:40. You can also take an elektrichka from Baltisky Vozkal (metro Baltiskaya), which departs daily at 07:05. 
Pskov has a small airport and its own airline, Pskovavia, so if you do not wish to spend 4-5 hours inside a bus or train, you can choose to fly to Pskov. Flights from St.Petersburg Pulkovo Airport depart on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. A plane ticket will cost you about 1200Rbl and the duration of the trip will be approximately 1 hour. 
Alternatively, you can easily get from St. Petersburg to Pskov by bus. There are several dedicated companies that will take you to Pskov within 4 hours and, to make things even better, most offer free WiFi on board.