«Princess Elena»: fictitious or real character in Plisneska’s history

On the basis of the analysis of written and archaeological sources, the place of «Princess Elena» in the history of the Plisnesk settlement and the Pidhirtsi monastery of the Order of Saint Basil the Great was clarified. Archaeological materials confirm that in the 12th–13th centuries on the territory of There was a small wooden church in Olenin Park.It was established that there are different versions of the origin and existence of «Princess Elena». Particular attention is paid to primary sources, which refer to «Princess Elena» – the annals and chronicles of the Pidhirtsi monastery (since the second half of the 17th century) and the «Synopsis» of the same monastic settlement.It has been established that the name of one of the local tracts – Olenin Park – is connected with the legendary motive about «Princess Elena». Today, the most fortified section of the Slavic and ancient Russian hillforts is known under this name. At the beginning of the 20th century archeological excavations were conducted in the specified area, and the researchers combined the «legendary» founder of the monastery and a park where centuries-old trees grew in the name. It is obvious that «Princess Elena» is a traveling legendary motif that has become entrenched in the history of the Pidhirtsi monastery and the Plisnesk hillfort.