Yenikale
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Yenikale (in Russian, Еникале) is a fortress built by Turks in 1699 - 1706 located in the North-East part of Kerch city (Ukraine). The name 'Yenikale' means 'New Fortress' in Turkish. The fortress was built under the guidance of Goloppo, he was an Italian adopted in Islam. Several French engeneers also took part in the construction.
Yenikale was armed with powerful cannons and took an important strategical place on the coast of Kerch Strait. The fortress occupied area of 2.5 ha and had two powder-magazines, arsenal, water reservoir, living houses, bath-house and mosque. About 800 Turkish and 300 Tatar soldiers were garrisoned in Yenikale. But the weak spot of the fortress was a lack of sweet water in the area, so the underground water-pipe has been made to bring water from a source located several miles away from the fortress. Yenikale was served as a residence of pasha.
In the summer of 1771 Russian Army invided into Crimea. Turks fled from Yenikale without fighting and by the Peace Treaty of Kuchuk-Kainarji in 1774, Kerch and the fortress of Yenikale were ceded to Russia. In the 19th century it was used by Russians as military hospital for a short period of time, but later the fortress was completely deserted.
Today the fortress of Yenikale is an impressive historical site. The neighboring district of Kerch also is named Yenikale.
Alternative spelling:
- Enikale
- Eni-Kale
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