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Background: Pskov is among the most beautiful, most majestic cities of old Russia.

Its architecture goes back to the beginning of the 10th century.

This town of domes and turrets, of majestic churches with high bell towers, was invaded time and again, but each time the invaders were driven out empty-handed.

These churches and palaces have been silent witnesses of Russian heroism in battle against foreign invaders. The walls of the fortress looked down on Alexander Nevsky as he marched off to battle; they witnessed his triumphant return at the head of his exulting hosts.

During World War Two the Nazis occupied Pskov. They left it a heap of ruins. And this is what it looks like in the year 1966. It is a new town, and still growing. Its present population comes to 108,000. As much living space was built last year as in all of Pskov before the war..
This house will soon be tenanted by happy families there'll be many a housewarming to celebrate the event.

On a bright sunny day the golden domes of Pskov's churches reflect back the rays of the sun, lighting up the broad, straight boulevards .

Pskov is at once a museum city and a city of new buildings.

Not far from it is the village of Mikhailovskoye, an attraction for tourists from far and wide, for Alexander Pushkin, Russia's great poet, often stayed there. He loved the place for its beautiful scenery, its peace and quiet. It was here that he heard his favourite fairy tales, told so wonderfully by his beloved nurse, Arina Rodionovna. Here, too, he wrote some of his best works. Autumn was a favorite time of year with him. At this time thousands come to Mikhailovsk to see the scenes that inspired his gifted poems.