Akkerman fortress, Ukraine

[journeyman231]

In the 6th century BC, Milesian colonists founded a settlement named Tyras on the future location of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, one which later came under Roman and Byzantine rule. The Byzantines built the fortress and named it Asprocastron ("White Castle" - a meaning kept in several languages). The Voskresensk Chronicle lists Bilhorod "at the mouth of the Dniester, above the sea" among the towns controlled by Kievan Rus.

In 14th century the city was briefly controlled by the Republic of Genoa and by King Louis I of Hungary. Sfântul Ioan cel Nou (Saint John the New), the Patron saint of Moldavia, was martyred in the city in 1330 during a Tatar incursion. In 1391, Cetatea Albă was the last city on the right bank of the Dnister to be incorporated into the newly-established principality of Moldavia, and for the next century was its second major city, the major port and an important fortress.

In 1420, the citadel was attacked for the first time by the Ottomans, but defended successfully by Moldavian Prince Alexander the Kind.

In 1484, along with Kilia, it was the last of the Black Sea ports to be conquered by the Ottomans. The Moldavian prince Stephen the Great was unable to aid in its defence, being under threat of a Polish invasion. The citadel surrendered when the Ottomans claimed to have reached an agreement with Prince Stephen, and promised safe passage to the inhabitants and their belongings; however, most of the city-dwellers were slaughtered. Later, attempts by Stephen the Great to restore his rule over the area were unsuccessful. Cetatea Albă was subsequently a base from which the Ottomans were able to attack Moldavia proper. In 1485, Tatars setting out from this city founded Pazardzhik in Bulgaria.

It was established as the fortress of Akkerman, part of the Ottoman defensive system against Poland-Lithuania and, later, the Russian Empire. Major battles between the Ottomans and the Russians were fought near Akkerman in 1770 and 1789. Russia conquered the town in 1770, 1774, and 1806, but returned it after the conclusion of hostilities. It was not incorporated into Russia until 1812, along with the rest of Bessarabia.

On 25 September 1826, Russia and the Ottomans signed here the Akkerman Convention which imposed that the hospodars of Moldavia and Wallachia be elected by their respective Divans for seven-year terms, with the approval of both Powers.

[journeyman231]

Please, add poll.

[Heroico]

Originally Posted by journeyman231

Please, add poll.

poll added!

[romanito]

9/10

[Srdjan Adamovic]

8/10

[henry hill]

8/10

[3tmk]

Great history, and amazing preservation!
Although I am unsure of how much is of the original, it looks like the perfect model for a movie castle set.

[ikops]

Agree on the preservation part. (8/10)

[tonyssa]

8/10

[journeyman231]

Originally Posted by 3tmk

Great history, and amazing preservation!
Although I am unsure of how much is of the original, it looks like the perfect model for a movie castle set.

It is an original fortress

[Guaporense]

7.5/10!

[Nikkodemo]

9/10

[arnau_Vic]

7/10

[dnh310]

8,5/10

[yudibali2008]

8/10

[mossimoh]

7/10

[Happy Man]

9/10

[Contr]

9/10

[bozenBDJ]

8/10

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This post is also my 5.200th post.