Azov Fortress
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| Azov Fortress | |
|---|---|
| Native name Азовская крепость (Russian) | |
 Alekseyevskie gates of the Azov Fortress | |
| Type | Fortress and Museum |
| Location | Azov, Rostov oblast Russia |
| Coordinates | 47°06′58″N 39°25′18″E / 47.115978°N 39.421607°E |
| Built | 1475 |
  Location of Azov Fortress in Russia | |
The Azov Fortress (Russian: Азовская крепость, romanized: Azovskaya krepost) is fortified complex of Azov, Rostov oblast, Russia, overlooking the Don River and the Port of Azov to the north. It is includes rampart, watchtowers and gates. The Azov fortress (formely know as Azak fortress) was founden by Turks on behalf of the Ottoman Empire in 1475. It guarded the northern approaches to the Empire and access to the Azov Sea[1]. After a series of conflicts, a peace treaty was signed in Constantinople on July 13, 1700 between the Tsardom of Russia and the Ottoman Empire. The sultan recognized Russia's possession of the Azov area[2].
History
Origin
The site has been Venetian and Genoese colonies before the second half of the 15th century. A town named Tana served as major transit point for trafficking between West and East. Tana was occupied by the Ottoman Empire in 1471. Turks founded enormous fortress here. It consisted of a stone wall with 11 towers round a hill. Faubourg was separated by a moat and rampart. The fortress garrison was armed with 200 cannons[1].
Cossack period
The Don and Zaporozhian Cossacks stormed the fortress in June 1637. Cossack cavalry with the strength of 400 horsemen defended the fortress from steppe side. Turkish army attempted to retake Azov in 1641. The fortress sustained heavy shelling by guns. The walls were completely destroyed in parts. Only three towers among 11 were spared during the battle. Forces of Osman Empire stormed the fortress, but they sustained heavy losses and retreated[3].
References
- ^ a b Тихонов, Ю. А. Азовское сидение. — Москва, 1970. P. 99
- ^ Davies, Brian L. (2007). Warfare, state and society on the Black Sea steppe, 1500-1700. Warfare and history. Routledge. p. 187. ISBN 0-415-23986-9.
- ^ Boeck, Brian J. (2012). The Siege of Azov in 1641: Military Realities and Literary Myth. Warfare in Eastern Europe. Leiden. p. 191-2.