Княжеские резиденции в домонгольской Руси: летописные известия и археологические реалии
Residences of Knyaz in pre-Mongol Russia: chronicles and archaeological reality

Summary/Abstract: Making a synthesis of written records, illustrations and archaeological evidence, the author of this article distinguishes five groups of features in the residential complex of Russian Knyaz in the pre-Mongol period.The first group unites features of representative nature meant for Knyaz’s ceremonies, receptions and feasts. A stone or wooden terem was an architectural dominant of a Knyaz’s court and represented a tower-like building with golden tent-like top. Remains of monumental stone features were found in Chernigov, Polotsk, Grodno and Bogolyubov; wooden ones – in Novgorod, Staraya Ryazan, Vshchizh and Lyubech. Knyaz gridnitsa represented a large (possible two-storey) building with a vast throne hall and many windows. It seems that all Kiev palates, as well as buildings in Peremyshl’, Zvenigorod, Kholm are all stone gridnitsas. Traces of wooden gridnitsas were found in Novgorod, Lyubech and Belgorod. A porch – seni – was a large light unheated premise built on pillars. All the listed types of buildings had a typically rich interior and decorated with luxurious utensils.The second group of buildings – dwelling proper of Knyaz’s residence – “khoromy”, which make a whole complex of buildings. Khoromy could comprise heated izbas (houses), cold gornitsas-“povalushi” (rooms), small sleeping rooms – “lozhnitsas”, poly-functional “kleti” (storeroom), baths – “istopki”, luxurious “polati”, prisons –“poruby”.The third group of buildings of Knyaz’s court included household constructions (various storerooms, cellars, granaries). The fourth group of buildings was of military and defence use; it seems that it was represented by buildings of tower-like type.The fifth group of features in a Knyaz’s residence included court temples.

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