Russian Knights Vie at Vyborg Castle
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Cannon shots awaken a medieval castle near St. Petersburg. Fans of historical reconstruction gather again in the Vyborg Castle.
Today, just as more than six centuries ago, horseback riding and hiking tournaments are held on the square of the fortress. Every stone here remembers knights of the past.
[Alexei Vologa, Festival Host]:
"The atmosphere here is amazing. Just imagine, in the14th century people were fighting here, fortresses were being built. This massive Tower of Olaf hangs over and says, do you deserve to stand next to us?"
According to the festival participants, such fighting has helped to shape them as modern day knights.
[Sergei Myasishchev, Peresvet Club Head]:
"This is probably something that every man seeks. There is a nobility, greatness of soul, what perhaps we are lacking in the modern world, and what they had in the Middle Ages.”
These medieval tournament enthusiasts have completely recreated weapons of that time, and demonstrate the reconstruction of the fighting. The only difference is that the swords are not sharpened to avoid injuries in combat.
[Alexei Vologa, Festival Host]:
"But the other things are the same. The weight of weapons and armor, helmets, shields, armor. Everything is done by the same technology, without using modern technologies.”
The complete outfit for a Knight weighs about 110 pounds. These riders can be called the real victims of medieval fashion. But if you introduced yourself as a knight, then all armor and weapons must be carried by you.
The ranks of infantry are mostly farmers. They participate in foot-borne tournaments.
In addition to the historical reconstruction of fights at the festival, you can also visit the medieval fair.
This is the 15th Military historical festival to take place in Vyborg Castle.
NTD, St. Petersburg, Russia
Today, just as more than six centuries ago, horseback riding and hiking tournaments are held on the square of the fortress. Every stone here remembers knights of the past.
[Alexei Vologa, Festival Host]:
"The atmosphere here is amazing. Just imagine, in the14th century people were fighting here, fortresses were being built. This massive Tower of Olaf hangs over and says, do you deserve to stand next to us?"
According to the festival participants, such fighting has helped to shape them as modern day knights.
[Sergei Myasishchev, Peresvet Club Head]:
"This is probably something that every man seeks. There is a nobility, greatness of soul, what perhaps we are lacking in the modern world, and what they had in the Middle Ages.”
These medieval tournament enthusiasts have completely recreated weapons of that time, and demonstrate the reconstruction of the fighting. The only difference is that the swords are not sharpened to avoid injuries in combat.
[Alexei Vologa, Festival Host]:
"But the other things are the same. The weight of weapons and armor, helmets, shields, armor. Everything is done by the same technology, without using modern technologies.”
The complete outfit for a Knight weighs about 110 pounds. These riders can be called the real victims of medieval fashion. But if you introduced yourself as a knight, then all armor and weapons must be carried by you.
The ranks of infantry are mostly farmers. They participate in foot-borne tournaments.
In addition to the historical reconstruction of fights at the festival, you can also visit the medieval fair.
This is the 15th Military historical festival to take place in Vyborg Castle.
NTD, St. Petersburg, Russia