Akkerman Fortress (Ukraine)

Belgorod Dnestrovskij, which recently celebrated its 2500esimo anniversary, is considered the oldest city in Ukraine. Together with Rome and Athens, it is among the ten most ancient cities in the world. For most tourists, attraction of the city is the man - Dnestrovskij Belgorod (Akkerman) fortress.

It is the biggest fort in the country, and a unique monument to the defensive architecture of the 13th -15th century. Despite his age 'venerable' and historical events to which it was a first hand witness, the fortress has managed to retain its original structure, and today is considered the best preserved medieval fortification system in Ukraine.

The fortress Belgorod Dnestrovskij was founded on the ruins of Tyr city. Incidentally, the Tyr excavations are currently taking place, not far from the entrance to the fortress. The reason for the construction of the fortress was the need to protect the city from the continuous invasions of his enemies. E 'majestic with its power and size: the total length of its walls is more than two kilometers.

For two centuries, the outpost served as a good defense for its owners. At the end of the 15th century, however, after a prolonged siege, the fortress surrendered to the Ottomans. The Turks renamed 'Akkerman' (which means 'White Fortress'), and ruled the country for over 300 years. In the early 19th century, the Russian Empire declared the fortress as spoils of victory after a Russian-Turkish war. Over time, the fortress lost its defensive importance. For over a century, this impressive historical and architectural monument has been protected by the state.