Throughout its history, Ukraine is oftenbecame the epicenter of wars and armed conflicts. All this was a consequence of the geographical location of the country, which from time immemorial served as a kind of bridge between the East and the West.
The rivers of Ukraine were arteries,used for the migration of peoples, as well as the movement of troops. Trade routes passed through them. Often powerful defensive fortresses were erected along their shores. With their help, controlled trade routes, created an obstacle to the movement of enemies.
It should be said that all the fortresses and castles of Ukraine were built with a defensive purpose and occupied a special place in the life of settlements and cities. They were the pillar and hope of defense from enemies.
Belgorod-Dniester. Story
How is the place of the current UkrainianCities appeared early medieval settlements, to this day remains a mystery to scientists. Some of them believe that the Slav tribes built their homes on the site of the ruins of ancient Tyra. Others suggest that the settlement was part of the Bulgarian kingdom. But unequivocally ancient documents confirm the special significance of Belgorod for the defense of Kievan Rus.
The city flourished at the end of the 14th century.At that time it was part of the Moldavian kingdom as the main port and capital of the southern provinces. At the same time the construction of a powerful citadel was completed, which is currently the most interesting monument of medieval defense architecture.
History of the fortress
The fortification building was erected in connection withpolitical instability that existed in this province. What time was built Belgorod-Dniester fortress? There is no exact answer to this question. There are currently various versions. Some scientists believe that the citadel is of Turkish origin, others - that the Moldovan, the third - that the Genoese. They built Belgorod-Dniester fortress almost two hundred years. The beginning of its construction dates back to the thirteenth century. The end of construction accounted for the 15th century.
Location:
Throughout its historyBelgorod-Dniester fortress amazed and delighted everyone with its inaccessibility and power. The walls of the citadel were built of limestone. It stands a fortress on the rocky high bank of the Dniester estuary. Its entire territory, having the shape of an irregular polygon, covers an area of just over nine hectares. The building is located forty-six kilometers from Odessa, twenty kilometers from the Black Sea, on the right bank of the Dniester River.
If you climb to the side platform near the walls, then the fortress can be bypassed around the perimeter. At the same time, the architectural and design features of its defensive line will become visible.
In the power of the Turks
Со стороны лимана и суши на Белгород-Днестровскую The fortress in 1484 was attacked by the fifty-thousand-strong army of Mengli-Girey, a Crimean Khan. Enemies were filled with a moat, trenches for artillery installation were dug. After that, the Turks went to storm the citadel. The soldiers defending the fortress, despite the desperate resistance, were forced to hand over the fortification to the enemy.
Belgorod-Dniester fortress for three hundred and twenty-eight years fell under Turkish domination. During this period, the city was renamed. Its new name - Akkerman - meant "white stone".
Akkerman fortress in Belgorod-Dniester and inThis period has not lost its great strategic value. The new authorities maintained the combat status of all the structures located on its territory, reconstructed the existing defense system, adapting it to the new requirements of military art.
During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Ukrainian Cossacks repeatedly made campaigns, during which attempts were made to dislodge the Turks from the Akkerman fortress.
Fight for the city
The history of Belgorod-Dniester fortress was included innew course only in the eighteenth century. During this period, Russia became a major world-class power. She took an important place in the existing system of international relations. The territory of Russia in the south was affected by the events that took place during the three wars with the Turks.
Belgorod-Dniester was first capturedby troops of I. A. Igelstrem (brigadier general) in 1770, Russia attempted to liberate the city in 1779 and 1806. The assault of the fortress was carried out by the troops of G. Potemkin, part of the Black Sea Fleet F. F. Ushakov. The citadel was stormed by M. Kutuzov. However, the Belgorod-Dniester fortress provided opportunities for all-round defense and was practically impregnable. To protect the castle, underground shelters and secret passages arranged in it, which have not been studied by anyone before today.
In 1812, the signing of the Peace Treaty of Bucharest took place. According to this document, the entire territory, located in the south of Bessarabia, was ceded to Russia.
The fortress lost its military purpose in 1832. In 1896 it gained the status of a historical and architectural monument.
The political and cultural life of the citadel
Белгород-Днестровская крепость занимала provincial position, being part of Russia. However, she did not at all stand apart from the cultural and political life of the country. The city of Akkerman was visited by Pushkin in 1821. During this period the poet was in the southern exile. Ackermann's guests were A. Mitskevich, M. Gorky, L. Ukrainka. Many other artists also visited this city.
Akkerman was part of royal Romania (from 1918 to 1940). During the Second World War he was occupied by the Nazis. On August 9, 1944, the city was renamed Belgorod-Dniester.
Architectural complex
Белгород-Днестровская крепость, экскурсия по the territory of which will allow you to get a closer look at the history of military architecture is a complex system with a huge number of building layers made from the thirteenth to the nineteenth century. This structure is characterized by two rows of defensive walls.
The map of the citadel shows the division of the entire territory with the help of defensive walls into three courtyards. In the fortress there are two gates, three more are located inside between the courtyards.
Along the perimeter of the defensive structures in the formerAt that time, thirty-five towers were built, which were interconnected by clumps. Currently, the Belgorod-Dniester citadel is a unique monument that introduces us to the defense architecture of the Middle Ages. The structures of the fortress are distinguished by a large variety of architectural solutions. They were built with the use of perfect for those times construction equipment. All this allows the citadel to be considered a valuable source of information about the past.
Genoese castle
It is believed that this building was erected onplace a wooden defensive post. The Genoese castle was the first object built in the fortress. In terms of this citadel has the form of a quadrangle. In the corners of the castle are protruding towers. One of them, northwest, collapsed as early as 1888. The walls of the citadel have an interesting location. They are oriented to the cardinal points.
The preserved towers of the Genoese castle are multi-tiered, they have basements. The roofs of these structures are tent, covered with tiles.
In the towers, as well as in the walls of the citadel are locatedslit-shaped narrow loopholes. In the old times, three-tier battle galleries made of wood were located along the entire perimeter of the castle. The walls were finished with merlon teeth.
Each of the towers was assigned its own role.The prison was southwest. The commandant served southeast, the largest. In it in 1788, the Turks handed over to M. Kutuzov the keys to the fortress. In former times, an emergency exit from a defensive structure was dug out from the basement of the northeast tower. The northwestern tower was assigned the role of a treasury.
The return of the original appearance
Since 1960systematic restoration works are carried out on the Belgorod-Dniester fortress. During this time, built a protective belt of concrete and stone on the east side of the citadel. He protected the walls from the destructive action of the waters of the estuary. In addition, the restoration work touched the main gate, a minaret and two towers.
Belgorod-Dniester fortress, whose address isst. Ushakova, 1, despite the repairs, restructuring and historical events taking place on its territory, has preserved its original structure to the maximum. This building is visited with pleasure by lovers of antiquity to admire the high craftsmanship of medieval builders and architects. Belgorod-Dniester fortress does not yet have its own website, but a lot has been said about it in the sources devoted to the region. Currently, it is a branch of the city local history museum.
Excursions
Belgorod-Dnestrovskaya is chosen for your visit.fortress? How to get to her? You can use three types of transport: bus, train or taxi. The train from Odessa will reach Belgorod-Dnestrovsk in two and a half hours. She departs from the train station five times a day. If funds allow, take a taxi.
You can get to the historic place by bus (route no. 560).
In Belgorod-Dniester you can stay and spend the night. There are many hotels in the city. In the warm summer period, a tent can be pitched on the shore of the bay.
For tours, the fortress is open daily, withoutweekends. On winter days, you can visit it from 8 to 17 hours. In the summer, Belgorod-Dniester fortress time changes. In the warm season, it is open to visitors from 8 to 20 hours. Organized tours can be reached from 9 to 18 h.
