The Russian Culture Ministry is to give 10 million rubles ($342,000) from its emergency funds for the restoration of two towers of the Pskov Kremlin, which were damaged by fire on Tuesday night, a statement from the Pskov local government said.
The Pskov Kremlin, a medieval citadel, occupies some three hectares on the banks of the Pskova and Velikaya River. It is an object of federal importance and is on the balance sheet of the Federal Property Agency.
The fire began in the 'Rus' restaurant in Vlasyevskaya tower, which dates back to the 15th-16th centuries, and spread to the wooden constructions of the Rybnitskaya tower, built in the 13th-14th centuries.
The restaurant began renting the 30 meter tall Vlasyevskaya tower ten years ago. In March, the restaurant was fined 10,000 rubles ($340) for fire safety violations.
The regional administration has not yet stated the amount required for the reconstruction work but is in the process of drawing up restoration plans.
Media reports say the Deputy Governor of Pskov region Sergei Fedorov previously estimated the work at 22 million rubles ($ 752, 576) but the head of Pskov's cultural committee said the restoration of the roofs of the two towers is more likely to be in the region of 40 million rubles ($1.4 million.)
ST. PETERSBURG, May 1 (RIA Novosti)
