The city of Pskov was founded in the 8 century at the confluence of the rivers Velikaya and Pskova. The Pskov Krom was built on the top of the high hill at the confluence of the two rivers. In the ancient Pskov the districts across the Velikaya river were called Zavelichye, and across the Pskova river – Zapskovye.
To guard of Pskova river Mouth, this strategically important place, two massive towers were built on both banks: Ploskaya (on the side of the Krom) and High (on the side of Zapskovye) towers. At the High tower was the beginning of the wall, which encircled the medieval Pskov.
In ancient times the river between the two towers were joined by a wall with lifting grates (the Lower Grates), which prevented the entry of enemy ships in the Pskova river. The same wall with lifting grates (the Upper Grates) were upstream at the Gremyacha Tower. So, the Pskova river, which flowed within the ancient Pskov, was protected on both sides.
According to one of the legends, when the wind blew from the north, the river began to lap, especially at the place where it joined with the Velikaya river. For that reason the Pskova river was called «Pleskava», and Pskov was called Pleskov Grad. Eventually the syllable «le» was omitted and the «Pskova» and «Pskov» remained.
Today, after the improvement of the embankments on the stretch from the Soviet bridge to the place where the Pskova joins the Velikaya river on both banks of the river, the place became one of the main recreation areas of Pskov.
One can have a walk both on the Soviet embankment (opposite the Pskov Kremlin) of the Pskova as far as the High tower, which abounds with hotels and restaurants, and at the foot of the Kremlin, from the bridge to the Ploskaya tower. There one can have beautiful views on the Kremlin walls, as well as the mouth of the river, which is guarded by two towers.
