The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin is at the center of town, occupying a relatively small territory on a hill dominating the confluence of the Oka and the Volga rivers.
The first wooden fortress was built in 1221. During the time of the Nizhny Novgorod Principality erection of the stone walls began. The stone walls date back as far as 1500 - 1511.
Construction of the Kremlin wall on the steep hillside was initiated by the Italian architect Peter Friazin. During the 16th century the Kremlin endured 4 sieges. Originally the Kremlin wall was about 1,500 miles long, just some 200 yards less than that of the Moscow Kremlin. Eleven of the original thirteen towers have survived.
