Yenikale in Crimea: description and location of the fortress

The Republic of Crimea is a constituent entity of the Russian Federation that attracts a huge number of tourists. However, people come here not only to soak up the well-equipped beaches and enjoy the beautiful landscapes, but also to get acquainted with the history of our country.

For example, in the very east of the peninsula is located the most ancient city in Russia - the hero city of Kerch. On its territory, you can see a large number of attractions that are rooted in ancient history. A special place among such historical monuments is occupied by fortress Yenikale.

The ancient fortress has a rather interesting history of its origin and a rather long history of its existence. So, it is believed that the structure was erected in the distant 17th century. At that time, Crimea, which was called the "Crimean Khanate", was dependent on Turkey.

The primary purpose of the Yenikale fortress is to perform defensive and protective functions. I must say that at the place where the fortress was built, there were defensive structures earlier.

The first to occupy this place were the inhabitants of the Bosporus Kingdom. The purpose of the construction of the Yenikale fortress in Kerch is to establish Turkish rule in the Black Sea region. Despite the fact that the initiators of such a project were the Turks, the direct construction of the fortress was entrusted to architects from Europe.

So, in the period from 1699 to 1705, the Italians and the French worked in the city.On the one hand, the specialists were given a fairly simple and explainable, but in practice, rather difficult task, to prevent Russian ships from the Azov Sea to the Black Sea.

Despite the fact that the fortress was erected quite quickly, and in itself it is a rather interesting and significant object of fortification construction, she practically did not take part in hostilities in any way. The thing is that immediately after its construction, military events in the Black Sea ceased, therefore, Yenikale was not needed functionally. But later, in 1768, another Russian-Turkish war began.

After the end of the events described, the fortification fortress Yenikale was no longer used for its intended purpose. The thing is that both she and the Sea of ​​Azov became completely Russian, which made it unnecessary for any military fortifications. So, over time, the fortress began to play the role of a military hospital, which was later completely abandoned.

Today, the Yenikale fortress is one of the most famous and popular attractions among tourists who visit the Kerch Peninsula. In this regard, the state took upon itself the protection of the fortress, which is now a historical monument.

By modern security standards the state of the fortress is considered emergency, but if we evaluate this issue from the point of view of history, then the monument is well preserved. Quite often, various repair and restoration work is carried out on the territory of the Crimean landmark.

If we talk about the architectural features of the building, then the fortress is an irregular pentagon, which is located on two hectares of land. This scale is due to the fact that it was originally calculated that the fortress would be able to accommodate 2,000 people.

Obviously, the walls are the basis of the fortress, but in addition to them, other additional protective fences were provided: a ditch and a rampart. In general, on the territory of Yenikale there were barracks intended for soldiers, houses in which officers lived, an arsenal and even a mosque.

It is noteworthy that there are numerous underground tunnels on the territory of the fortress. They have repeatedly tried to subject them to scientific research, but such attempts have remained unsuccessful due to the high level of danger. To date, all of them are filled up, and tourists are not recommended to even come close to such structures.

Unfortunately, far from all the elements of the fortress have survived to this day. So, for example, the ceramic plumbing that was once organized on the territory of the sight was of great value and interest, which saved the inhabitants of the city from a lack of water. However, in the post-war years, during the restoration of Kerch after the invasion of the Nazi invaders, this water pipeline was dismantled, and its parts were used in the households of local residents.

On the other hand, it should be noted that the outer structure of the fortress has been perfectly preserved. Even today, everyone who comes to the city will be able to see the walls and 5 bastions of Yenikale. Such a majestic view, of course, makes a lasting impression. Often this location becomes a place for professional photo shoots and filming, often newlyweds come here for wedding photos.

If you want to enjoy the grandeur and splendor of the ancient fortification fortress Yenikale, which is located on the eastern coast of the Crimean peninsula, then you need to come to the hero city of Kerch. There are several ways to do this depending on your current geographic location:

• on your own car;
• on a regular bus;
• by plane.

If you use any of the first two options, then all you have to do is cross the Crimean bridge, and you will already find yourself in Kerch. For those who will fly by plane, you need to fly to Simferopol airport, and from there take a regular bus to Kerch.

After that, you should go to the city bus station and use the local public transport services. Choose routes numbered 1 or 19. On them you should get to the stop called "Stroygorodok" (you can consult with the driver), and from there you will have to walk about two kilometers on foot.

If you are interested in history, then you will find interesting facts related to the Yenikale fortress.

• It is believed that in recent years the construction of the Crimean Bridge, namely vibrations associated with the working process, had a negative impact on the current state of the fortress.
• Yenikale is a word of Crimean Tatar origin, which means “new fortress” in Russian.
• In ancient times, there was a bathhouse on the territory of the fortress.
• In Kerch, the Kerch-Yenikalsky Society of History and Antiquities functions, which takes care of the state of the historical monument.

Many tourists who have already visited the Kerch Peninsula and have seen its beauty leave positive reviews regarding the excursion around the fortress.

First of all, many people note the fact that even though the fortress is a historical monument, visiting it is absolutely free. In addition, it is important that by visiting the fortress, you can not only feel the ancient history, but also enjoy the beautiful sea views and landscapes that open from Yenikale.

Some of the vacationers noted that the path to the fortress is rather thorny. However, others contrast them with the fact that a tour of the Yenikale fortress is an obligatory and integral part of a city-wide tour of Kerch. It is this option that is recommended to choose.

According to reviews, one hour will be enough for a superficial sightseeing. If you want to delve into the history and inspect all the details, then it will take much more time. If you wish, you can hire a personal guide who will guide you into all the details and secrets.

The Crimean Peninsula is a real treasure trove of attractions on the territory of the Russian Federation. On the territory of the republic you can find a variety of historical monuments that we inherited from our distant ancestors. A similar cultural and historical site is the Yenikale fortress. If possible, be sure to visit this building - you can learn more about the history of our country and get a little closer to it.

An overview of the Yenikale fortress in the Crimea, see below.