Yenikale in Crimea: description and location of the fortress

The Republic of Crimea is a subject of the Russian Federation, which attracts a huge number of tourists. However, people come here not only to soak up comfortable beaches and enjoy beautiful landscapes, but also to get to know the history of our country more closely.

So, for example, in the very east of the peninsula is the oldest 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 Enikale fortress.

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

The primary purpose of the Enikale fortress is the performance of defensive and protective functions. I must say that in the place where the fortress was built, defensive structures existed earlier.

The inhabitants of the Bosporus kingdom were the first to take this place. The purpose of the construction of the Enikale fortress in Kerch is the establishment of Turkish rule in the Black Sea region. Despite the fact that the initiators of this project were the Turks, the direct construction of the fortress was entrusted to architects from Europe.

So, from 1699 to 1705, Italian and French worked in the city.On the one hand, the experts were asked a rather simple and explainable, but in practice rather difficult task - to prevent Russian ships from the Azov to the Black Sea.

Despite the fact that the fortress was built quite quickly, and in itself it represents a rather interesting and significant object of fortification construction, she took almost no part in hostilities. The thing is that immediately after its construction, military events in the Black Sea ceased, therefore, Enikale was not needed functionally. But later, in 1768, the next Russo-Turkish war began.

After the events described above, the Enikale fortress was no longer used for its intended purpose. The thing is that she herself and the Sea of ​​Azov became completely Russian, which necessitated any military fortifications. So, over time, the fortress began to play the role of a military infirmary, which was later completely abandoned.

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

By modern standards of security the state of the fortress is considered emergency, but if you evaluate this issue from the point of view of history, then the monument is quite 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 structure, the fortress is a pentagon of irregular shape, 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 foundation of the fortress, but besides them, other additional protective fences were also provided: a moat and a shaft. 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 tunnels in the territory of the fortress underground. They tried to subject them to scientific research more than once, but such attempts remained inconclusive due to the high level of danger. Today, they are all bombarded, 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 water supply system once organized on the territory of the sights was of great value and interest, which saved the residents 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 supply was dismantled, and parts of it were used in the households of local residents.

On the other hand, the fact that The exterior construction of the fortress was perfectly preserved. Even today, everyone who comes to the city will be able to see the walls and 5 bastions of Enikale. Such a magnificent 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 Enikale, 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;
• by regular bus;
• by plane.

If you use either of the first two options, then it will be enough for you to 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. Choose routes number 1 or 19. On them you should get to a stop called "Stroygorodok" (you can consult with the driver), and from there you will have to walk about two kilometers.

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

• It is believed that the construction of the Krymsky Bridge in recent years has had a negative impact on the current state of the fortress, namely, vibrations associated with the work process.
• Yenikale is a word of Crimean Tatar origin, which in translation means “new fortress”.
• In ancient times there was a bathhouse on the territory of the fortress.
• In Kerch, the Kerch-Yenikal 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 seen its beauty, leave positive feedback regarding tours of the fortress.

First of all, many note the fact that even though the fortress is a historical monument, its visit is absolutely free. In addition, it is important that when you visit the fortress, you can not only imbued with 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 was 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 tour of Kerch. It is this option that is recommended to choose.

According to reviews, one hour is enough for a surface sightseeing. If you want to delve into history and examine all the details, then time will be needed much more. If you wish, you can hire a personal guide who will devote you to all the details and secrets.

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

Overview of the Yenikale fortress in Crimea, see below.