Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Fortress - Ukraine

This fortress is the main attraction of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, a 2500 years old town, considered to be the oldest town in Ukraine.

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

The Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi fortress was founded on the ruins of the ancient town Tyr. The reason for the fortress’s construction was the need to protect the town from the constant invasions of its enemies. It is awe-inspiring with its power and size: the total length of its walls is over two kilometers.

For two centuries, the outpost served as good defense for its owners. In the late 15th century, however, after a prolonged siege, the fortress surrendered to the Ottomans. The Turks renamed it ‘Akkerman’ (which means 'White Fortress'), and ruled the territory for over 300 years. In the early 19th century, the Russian Empire claimed the fortress as a spoil of victory after a Russo-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. - in: https://discover-ukraine.info/places/southern-ukraine/odesa/177