It occupied a strategically important position, being close to Lake Peipus, separating Livonia and Rus.

[4] In March 1480, Gdov was attacked by forces of the Livonian Order that burned the posad and laid siege to the Kremlin, attempting to infiltrate it in a few places at the same time.

Vastly outnumbered, the Gdov forces had to use every means of defence available to them, from artillery to burning tar and boiling water, successfully preventing the Order from reaching its goal.

In 1614, another attempt was made, with Gustavus II Adolphus, the King of Sweden personally commanding the operation.

[2] The Kremlin fell again remaining under Swedish control until 1621 when a peace treaty was signed under which Gdov was returned to Russia.

In 1657, during the course of another Russo-Swedish War, it withstood a siege laid by eight thousand soldiers led by Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie.