Azov Fortress (Azov). Turkish fortress Azak
Azov, in ancient times Tana, Azak, posad region. Donskoy troops on the left bank of the Don, 36 versts from Rostov; built by the Greeks.
Profitable geographical position The Tans were attracted to it by its extensive trade. For 115 l. BC it was conquered by Mithridates of Pontus; then, in turn, it was owned by: Sarmatians, Huns, Khazars and Pechenegs. In the 10th century T. fell under the rule of St. Vladimir, who gave it, along with Tmutarakan, as an inheritance to his son Mstislav, and around 1067 it was conquered by the Polovtsians and received its current name. In the 13th century. Azov passed to the Genoese, was fortified by them with stone walls and towers and became a storage point for their Indo-Chinese trade. In 1395, Tamerlane, who captured Azov, razed it to the ground, but in 1400 the city was rebuilt by the Genoese.
In 1471, Azov was taken by the Turks and from that time, due to the ban on European ships entering the Black Sea, and most importantly, due to the discovery sea route to India, Azov's trade fell into complete decline and it turned into an insignificant Turkish fortress, hated by the Don Cossacks, because it prevented them from entering the Sea of Azov for trade and search.
In 1637, the Don Cossacks, reinforced by 1 thousand Cossacks, besieged the fortress, captured it by storm and destroyed the entire garrison and inhabitants (except for the Greeks). Having declared Azov a free Christian city, the Cossacks settled their families in it, invited merchants to it, and in the spring of 1638 they went out on many boats to the Black Sea and carried out a whole series of robberies and devastations on the shores of Anatolia. In June 1638, huge hordes of Turco-Tatars (up to 100 thousand with 700 guns) under the command of the Silistrian seraskir Hussein Deli, with the assistance of a strong fleet (45 galleys and many small ships), which was under the command of Piali Pasha, besieged Azov from land and the sea, and after the Cossacks refused to clear the city, they began a siege. The garrison of the fortress (6 thousand, including 800 women) defended itself with extraordinary courage and energy. The Cossacks, who gloriously endured the 3 1/2-month Azov seat, managed to keep the fortress in their hands. Anticipating, however, the continuation of the struggle with Turkey, they sent a petition to Tsar Mikhail Feodorovich, asking him to accept Azov from them and help them by sending troops and supplies. On January 3, 1642, to resolve the Azov issue, a Zemsky Council was convened in Moscow, at which it became clear that the adoption of Azov should entail a war with Turkey, which for Russia, which had not yet recovered from the Time of Troubles, was completely untimely. As a result, Mikhail Feodorovich sent the Cossacks a letter in which he thanked them for their offer, but refused it and advised the Don people to leave Azov. Having obeyed the sovereign, the Cossacks left Azov in May 1643, having previously taken supplies and artillery from it and destroyed the fortifications.
After Azov passed into the hands of the Turks, the hostile actions of the Don and Azov people continued until the Azov campaigns of Peter the Great. Having captured Azov in 1696, the sovereign intended to turn it into a starting point for continuing the fight against Turkey and in these forms began to gradually strengthen it and build the Azov fleet, but unsuccessful for us Prut campaign 1711 violated Peter's assumptions: Azov had to be returned to Turkey.
Only in 1736 was Azov again taken by the army of Field Marshal Lassi, and this time forever. Under the terms of the Belgrade Peace (1739) with Turkey, Russia undertook to destroy the fortifications of Azov, which was done in 1747. But in 1769, by order of Empress Catherine II, Azov was restored.
14 Feb 1775 Azov was made the administrative center of the newly established Azov province, but then, after the transfer of the provincial administration to Ekaterinoslav, it was first (1783) renamed into a fortress, and then (1810) into a posad of the Ekaterinoslav province, Rostov district. In 1888, Azov was annexed to the region. Don troops and Cossack control was introduced in it.
(Azak; Azov, Rostov region)
The city of Azov is located on the banks of the Don, 7 km from its confluence with the Taganrog Bay of the Sea of Azov, 40 km southwest of.
In the X-XII centuries. in its place there was a Slavic settlement, which was part of the ancient Russian Tmutarakan principality. In the 13th century. the city of Azak arose on this site, which translated from Turkic meant “river mouth.” In 1395 the city was destroyed by troops. Soon it was rebuilt, but already in 1471 it was captured by the Turks and turned into a military fortress. Over time, the Turkic name of the fortress was turned into Azau, which was perceived by the Russians as Azov.
As a result of the prohibition of European ships from entering the Black Sea and the opening of the sea route to India, trade in Azov fell into decline, and it turned into an insignificant Turkish fortress, the garrison of which waged a continuous struggle with the Don Cossacks.
Capture of Azov in 1637 by Zaporozhye and Don Cossacks
In 1637, detachments of Zaporozhye and Don Cossacks stormed the fortress, which at that time was considered impregnable. It was surrounded by deep ditches and high earthen ramparts. The walls of the fortress and 11 towers were made of stone. 200 cannons were installed on the fortress walls, and the garrison consisted of 4 thousand Janissaries. This victory of the Cossacks amazed the European states and caused indignation among the Turkish government. However, the Turks, busy with the war with Persia, only a few years later had the opportunity to send their troops against the Cossacks.
In June 1641 Turkish army in the amount of about 100 thousand people, supported by 700 guns and a strong fleet of 45 galleys and many small ships, besieged Azov from land and sea. At that time, the garrison of the fortress under the command of Ataman Osip Petrov consisted of 6 thousand people (including about 800 women).
The Turks failed to take the fortifications of Azov by storm, and a multi-day siege of the fortress began, called in history the “Azov Seat.” By October 1641, the position of the besieged had noticeably worsened, and at dawn on October 4, the Cossacks decided to launch a sortie with all their might in order to either break through the ranks of the besiegers or die in a fair battle.
But they did not have to resort to this extreme measure - the Turkish On January 3, 1642, to resolve the Azov issue, a Zemsky Council was convened in Moscow, at which it became clear that the acceptance of Azov should entail a war with Turkey.
As a result, Mikhail Fedorovich sent the Cossacks a letter in which he advised them to leave the city. Having obeyed the sovereign, the Cossacks left Azov in May 1643, having previously destroyed all the fortifications and taken out all supplies and artillery.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.12.2016 10:25
The fight for the Azov fortress, which blocked Russia’s access to the Azov and Black Sea, unfolded during the so-called “ Azov campaigns"(1695-1696).
For the first Azov campaign An army was formed from the best troops of about 31 thousand people, supported by 170 guns. On July 5, 1695, Russian troops approached Azov and, after a month-long siege, began to storm the fortress. All attempts ended in failure, one of the reasons for which was the lack of a blockade of Azov from the sea.
Heavy losses and the approaching autumn forced Peter I to lift the siege of the city. Failure did not break the will of the king. It was decided to act against Azov not only ground forces, but also by the fleet, for which 2 battleships, 4 fire ships, 23 galleys were built, a large number of small ships.
The second Azov campaign of Peter I began in the spring of 1696. The size of the ground army under the command of A.S. Sheina amounted to 75 thousand people. Overall command of the army and navy was exercised by Peter I. At the beginning of June, the Azov flotilla under the command of Admiral F.Ya. Leforta blocked Azov from the sea, and the army besieged the fortress from land.
Turkish fortress Azak
Alternative descriptionsCity in Russia, Rostov region, port on the Don River
The city named by the Turks after the first letter of the Slavic alphabet
The place where the battle took place in 1637-1643, Russia-Türkiye
Sailing battleship Russian Navy, distinguished himself in the Battle of Navarino in 1827.
Russian sailing ship, participant in the Battle of Navarino
Donskoy city named after the sea
A sailing ship, for the first time in the history of the Russian fleet, awarded the St. George's stern flag for military distinction in the Battle of Navarre
Hometown of Arctic explorer R. L. Samoilovich
The name of this Russian city comes from the Turkic “azak” - “mouth of the river”
This ship was the first Russian Navy, awarded the St. George's Flag
The city in honor of whose capture the first triumphal gates were erected in Moscow
Since the victory over which city, Russia has ceased to be a land country?
City in Rostov region
The city taken by young Peter 1
City in Russia
Port city in Russia on the Sea of Azov, Rostov region
Ancient city of the Black Sea region
Famous sailing battleship (Navarin)
Port on the Don River
Port on Don
. "ABC" city and port
Port city in Russia
Russian sailboat
Tana, Azak, how are you now?
City in Rostov region
City near Rostov
The sea near Black (colloquial)
Russian sailboat
Heroic Russian sailing ship
City and port on the left bank of the Don
Rostov city
City near Taganrog Bay
Famous battleship (Navarin)
Fortress city of Rostov region
Sailboat of the Russian Navy
City near Rostov-on-Don
City in Rost. region
Ukr. sea (colloquial)
The sea near Rostov-on-Don
Both the city and the sailboat
Port in the lower reaches of the Don
Port in the lower reaches of the Don
The city taken by young Peter the Great
The city taken by young Peter I
Port in Rostov region
Famous sailboat
City in the lower reaches of the Don
Type of monitors of the twentieth century
Sailboat of the Russian fleet
Russian ship
Port on the Don River
City in Russian Federation, Rostov region, port on the Don River
City in Rostov region
Russian sailing battleship (Battle of Navarino 1827)
There are cities in Russia that are familiar to everyone from school. Without these cities and towns, the fate of Russia could have developed according to a completely different scenario. Each of them is important and has deep historical meaning. In the south of Russia, in the Rostov region in particular, such a great patriarch is ancient city Azov.
This land, where the Don flows into the Sea of Azov, has been a tasty morsel for many peoples and great powers for more than 2,000 years. The owner of Azov controlled access to the southern seas and was the master in the Azov region. The city remembers the era of commercial flourishing, Persian caravans, bloody battles and the valor of Russian soldiers beyond scientific explanation. And even though it has now lost its military significance, having turned into a deep Russian province, everyone who comes to the Don land should visit Azov. Read about what this city is famous for and how to get to Azov in this post.
You can’t tell about Azov in a few words. His story is so complex and dramatic that it could serve as the basis for a multi-hour lecture. You can read more fully about the history of Azov in the following posts. Today I will try to tell you the most interesting things.
The first settlements on the site of Azov appeared in the 1st century. BC. They were founded by Meotian farmers who actively traded with the Greeks.
In the 3rd century. nomads destroyed settlements, taking possession of beautiful pastures under the warm southern sun. Sarmatians and Huns, Scythians and Khazars, Pechenegs and Polovtsians settled here.
In Russian chronicles, the settlement was first mentioned in 1067. In this year, the city of Azak was founded on the site of the death of the Polovtsian Khan Azup (probably the name of the settlement is associated with the name of the khan).
In the 12th century The Venetian trading post of Tana was located near the banks of the Don. This place was extremely important in trade between East and West. It was a transit point on the Great Silk Road. Having learned about this, the Tatars also wanted to own land on the Don. In a matter of years, a populous trading city of the Golden Horde grew up next to the Italian colony. It retained its former name – Azak.
Trading cities of Azak and Tana
Azak and Tana were so close to each other that many considered them to be one settlement. In order to somehow protect themselves from the Tatars, the Italians begged Khan Uzbek to allow them to surround the Tana quarters with a wall, for which they agreed to pay tribute and trade duties.
In 1395, prosperous shopping mall Tamerlane's troops were completely destroyed. He never achieved more than his former greatness.
In the 15th century, Turks appeared in the place of Azak and Tana. They completely destroyed the cities, establishing their fortress here - Azov.
Turkish fortress Azov. Reconstruction
From a large trading city, Azov turned into a defensive Turkish fortification in southern Russia. The Cossacks who settled on the Don were greatly annoyed by the nearby Turkish fortress.
Where to stay in Azov?
Azov is a small city located in close proximity to a large metropolis - Rostov-on-Don, so renting housing directly here does not make any sense. It is much easier to stay in Rostov-on-Don and come to Azov one day. A day is enough to explore all the iconic sights of the ancient Russian city.
However, if you are not considering this option and want to stay in Azov, then you can choose several very decent and inexpensive options. I recommend using the hotellook.ru system. The service analyzes housing prices in different systems bookings and selects the most inexpensive options. Very comfortably! There is no need to browse a bunch of sites manually.
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The vast majority of Azov guests include a visit to the famous Azov fortress in their tourist program. And many are disappointed because they hoped to see a large-scale and grandiose citadel, but are faced with ordinary ruins. In order for your acquaintance with the fortress to meet your expectations, it is advisable to have an idea of historical events associated with it. And then you will certainly feel the full power and scope of this attraction, its significance in the history of the country. The modern appearance of the Azov fortress is a complex of fortification earthen structures stretching for hundreds of meters, the history of which goes back to the distant past. Each of the ramparts has its own name since the times of Peter the Great’s battles: Smolensky, Alekseevsky, Gordon and others.
In order for your acquaintance with the fortress to meet your expectations, it is advisable to have an idea of the historical events associated with it. And then you will certainly feel the full power and scope of this attraction, its significance in the history of the country.
At the foot of the fortress, the Alekseevsky Gate has been preserved, and on the ramparts themselves there are brick ruins of the fortress walls. During the heyday of the fortress, the width of the walls at the narrowest point was 5 m, and at the widest - up to 30 m. In places in the loopholes there are muzzles of ancient Russian cannons, resurrecting the formidable military past of the Azov fortress.
From the history of the fortress
The Tana fortress began to be built by Genoese and Venetian merchants as a stronghold of trade in the Golden Horde city of Azak at the end of the 13th century. A century later, Tamerlane marched through Azak with sword and fire, but Tana was restored by the Italians. In 1476, the Turkish army of Gedik Ahmed Pasha captured it and renamed the settlement Frank Hissar. The ramparts were strengthened by the Don Cossacks after the capture of the fortress during the Azov Seat in 1641-1642.
According to legend, earth was poured onto the ramparts using the most primitive technologies - with the help of hats and bare hands.
During the siege, the Cossacks were subjected to cannon fire from the Turks, and of all the fortress towers, only three remained intact. However, during the retreat, the Russians blew up the remaining buildings and towers, sparing only the Lion Tower. In 1736, after the final transfer of the city of Azov to Russian control, the ramparts were rebuilt. The fortress, once captured by the Cossacks and subsequently by Peter's archers, was destroyed in 1747 under the terms of the Belgrade Peace.
In total, there were 11 gates on the ramparts, of which only Alekseevsky, made of stone and brick, survived. The Alekseevskys were built after the destruction of the fortress, in 1770 in a wooden version, and 30 years later - in the stone form we are familiar with. Excavations in 1935 presented a gate in the form of two parallel pylons up to 13 m long, which ended with an earthen rampart. The walls forming the Alekseevsky Gate were covered with hewn stone. After restoration in the 20th century, the gate acquired its modern appearance.
The ramparts of the Azov fortress are considered a monument of federal significance.
The history of one fortress
Helpful information
The Azov Fortress is located on Genuezskaya Street, not far from the old fish factory.
Entrance: 120 RUB, for children under 18 years old: 60 RUB, for preschoolers: 30 RUB, preferential category of visitors: 50 RUB, for university students admission 90 RUB.
Excursion service: 700 RUB.
From the ramparts you can admire a beautiful view of the Don River delta; a camera will come in handy here.
Every year, the territory of the Azov fortress becomes the site for the All-Russian Festival of Military History Clubs, dedicated to the Azov siege of the Don Cossacks in 1641. More than 10 thousand spectators come here to take part in costume performances and military re-enactments, or simply enjoy the colorful spectacle.
Prices on the page are as of September 2018.
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