Ivan Rylsky Hillfort

The Ivan Rylsky hillfort stands on Rylsk's eastern edge, on a cape of the Seim's right terrace where the Dublyanka joins. The pear-shaped plateau (~260×120–170 m) rises up to 30 m above the river. Archaeologists found a cultural layer up to 4.5 m with Scythoid, Volyn and Romny cultures plus early Russian and late medieval horizons. The lowest layer held a Scythoid surface dwelling with two stone hearths. The Ipatiiev Chronicle of 1152 mentions Rylsk as a town on princely campaigns. A ditch survives on the south; other fortifications were lost over centuries. Today it is an archaeological site without fortress reconstruction: Seim views, rampart and ditch remains, paths on the slope. Combine with Rylsk old centre and nearby chalk outcrops. Walk Rylsk from the hillfort to the Seim embankment: short descents to the river and chalk scarps on the far bank link naturally. The local museum connects the archaeological layer with 19th-century limestone townscape.