Kerch Fortress (Ak-Burnu, Fort Totleben) is a complex of defensive constructions characteristic of the epoch of smoothbore artillery. The defeat of Russia in the Crimean War led to the necessity of building a mighty marine fortress able to close the way for the enemy fleet to the Sea of Azov. The construction of the fortress was under the direction of famous Russian military engineer, Count E. I. Totleben (1818-1884), who played an outstanding role during the Sevastopol Defense. Since 1857, Fort Totleben, Vilno and Minsk lunettes, Ak-Burnu fortifications, coastal batteries, and a number of objects behind the fortress moat were constructed. This construction took around twenty years to complete. In 1909, the fortress lost its significance as a fortification, and was used for military dislocation, and as storage for weapon and ammunition. In the last decades of its existence it was a large military arsenal. Rather well preserved, the fortress is now a tourist site and serves as a prominent memorial of Russian craftsmanship during the second part of the 19th century.
Kerch Fortress, foto
29 Янв 2012
