Yenikale

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yenikale (Ukrainian: Єнікале; Russian: Еникале; also spelled as Enikale and Eni-Kale) is a fortress built by Crimean Tatars 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, who was an Italian convert to Islam. Several French engineers 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 25,000 m² 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. The weak spot of the fortress was a lack of drinking water in the area, so an underground water-pipe was made to bring water from a source located several kilometres away from the fortress. Yenikale was served as a residence of pasha.

In the summer of 1771 Russian Army invaded Crimea. Turks abandoned Yenikale and after the 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.