Fortification in the South-Eastern part of European Russia at the end of the XVI - beginning of the XVII centuries

The paper discusses the features of the Volga city fortresses (Samara, Saratov and Tsaritsyn) development at its initial stage in the second half of the 1580s by knyaz G.O. Zasekin. The task is to consider the process of their urban planning appearance and defensive structures development as well as the composition of the inhabitants at the end of the XVI – beginning of the XVII centuries. The source base of the study is archival and published narrative, acts and other sources. A wide range of studies have been used, mainly in recent decades. It is concluded that until the end of the Time of Troubles, the population of the Volga fortress cities consisted of service people and members of their families. The settlements performed both military and commercial functions on the Volga route, but in fact, all of them were fortresses. Their garrisons were mainly supplied by the sovereign «bread and money salary» and were not able to provide themselves through fishing and other activities. The events of the Time of Troubles contributed to a deep crisis in the life of the Volga cities, the death of Saratov and Tsaritsyn. It was only after the end of the Time of Troubles when their restoration took place and a new system of fortifications was created.