Pskov, the second largest city in Russia, is famous for its many ancient chambers, numbering around 30. A special legend surrounds the so-called "House of Marina Mnishek." According to the marriage contract with False Dmitry, the daughter of the Polish voivode was to receive Veliky Novgorod and Pskov along with peasants, suburbs, and villages. She also inherited extensive chambers on Romanov Hill, the local equivalent of Pskov's Rublyovka. These chambers became known as the "House of Marina Mnishek." Legend has it that she hid here for three days from pursuers after the death of False Dmitry. However, local historians have long proven that the daughter of the Sandomierz voivode never visited this place.

According to other sources, after the Time of Troubles, the chambers passed to the Menshikov nobility. 19th-century historian Nikolai Okulich-Kazarin left a description of the house: "The building is made of stone with a small addition of brick. It had two tiers, one of which was a basement, and a separate tower on top." However, it seems that the structure was already in decline at that time, as the researcher mentions that under one of the arches there used to be a spring with clean water, which "is now buried under debris."

A new life for the "House of Marina Mnishek" began in 1909 when it was purchased by a member of the Pskov Archaeological Society, Khitrov. He carried out a major renovation: laid new floors, restored the stone arches, decorated the facade with stucco, installed a tiled stove, and also equipped a pantry, storage room, and separate kitchen. According to various accounts, after 1917, the former chambers became a dormitory for workers.

Until the 1980s, the building was maintained, but after it was vacated, it began to deteriorate rapidly and now resembles ancient ruins with broken windows. This is sad, as it was once a vibrant landmark with an amazing legend!