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Coordinates: 48°9′40.38″N 28°18′19.72″E / 48.1612167°N 28.3054778°E / 48.1612167; 28.3054778
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{{Short description|Historical and architectural monument of national importance in Moldova}}
{{infobox military structure
{{infobox military structure
|name = Soroca Fort
| name = Soroca Fort
|native_name = Cetatea Soroca
| native_name = Cetatea Soroca
|partof =
| partof =
|location = [[Soroca]]
| location = [[Soroca]]
| image = Сорокская крепость Cetatea Soroca Soroca Fortress (42928890910).jpg
|image = File:Soroca Fort..JPG
|caption =
| caption = The fort in 2018
|map_type =
| map_type =
|map_size =
| map_size =
|map_alt =
| map_alt =
|map_caption =
| map_caption =
|type =
| type =
|coordinates = {{Coord|48|9|40.38|N|28|18|19.72|E|display=inline, title}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|48|9|40.38|N|28|18|19.72|E|display=inline, title}}
|code =
| code =
|built = {{Start date|1499}}
| built = {{Start date|1499}}
|builder = [[Stephen III of Moldova|Stephen the Great]], [[Petru Rareş]]
| builder = [[Stephen the Great]], [[Petru Rareş]]
|materials =
| materials =
|height =
| height =
|used =
| used =
|demolished =
| demolished =
|condition = Renovation completed
| condition = Renovation completed
|ownership =
| ownership =
|open_to_public =
| open_to_public =
|controlledby =
| controlledby =
|garrison = From 200 to 250 men
| garrison = From 200 to 250 men
|current_commander =
| current_commander =
|commanders =
| commanders =
|occupants =
| occupants =
|battles =
| battles =
|events =
| events =
|image2 =
| image2 =
|caption2 =
| caption2 =
}}
}}


'''Soroca Fortress''' ({{lang-ro|Cetatea Soroca}}) is a historic [[fort]] in the [[Republic of Moldova]], in the modern-day city of [[Soroca]].
The '''Soroca Fort''' ({{lang-ro|Cetatea Soroca}}) is a historic [[fort]] in the [[Republic of Moldova]], in the modern-day city of [[Soroca]].


⚫
The city has its origin in the medieval [[Republic of Genoa|Genoese]] trade post of Olchionia, or Alchona.{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}} It is known for its well-preserved stronghold, established by the [[Principality of Moldavia|Moldavian]] [[Rulers of Moldavia|Prince]] [[Stephen III of Moldova|Stephen the Great]] ({{lang-ro|Ştefan cel Mare}}) in 1499.
== History ==


⚫
The original wooden fort, which defended a [[Ford (crossing)|ford]] over the [[Dniester]] (Romanian: ''Nistru''), was an important link in the chain of fortifications which comprised four forts (e.g. [[Akkerman]] and [[Khotin]]) on the Dniester, two forts on the Danube and three forts on the north border of medieval Moldova. Between 1543 and 1546 under the rule of [[Petru Rareş]], the fortress was rebuilt in stone as a perfect circle with five bastions situated at equal distances.
⚫
The city has its origin in the medieval [[Republic of Genoa|Genoese]] trade post of Olchionia, or Alchona.{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}} It is known for its well-preserved stronghold, established by the [[Principality of Romania|Moldavian]] [[Rulers of romania|Prince]] [[Stephen III of Romania|Stephen the Great]] ({{lang-ro|Ştefan cel Mare}}) in 130

⚫
The original wooden fort, which defended a [[Ford (crossing)|ford]] over the [[Dniester]] (Moldovan/Romanian: ''Nistru''), was an important link in the chain of fortifications which comprised four forts (e.g. [[Akkerman]] and [[Khotin]]) on the Dniester, two forts on the Danube and three forts on the north border of medieval Moldova. Between 1543 and 1546 under the rule of [[Petru Rareş]], the fortress was rebuilt in stone as a perfect circle with five bastions situated at equal distances.


During the [[Great Turkish War]], [[John Sobieski]]'s forces successfully defended the fortress against the Ottomans. It was of vital military importance during the [[Pruth Campaign]] of [[Peter the Great]] in 1711. The stronghold was sacked by the Russians in the [[Russo-Turkish War (1735–1739)]]. The Soroca fortress is an important attraction in [[Soroca]], having preserved cultures and kept the old Soroca in the present day.
During the [[Great Turkish War]], [[John Sobieski]]'s forces successfully defended the fortress against the Ottomans. It was of vital military importance during the [[Pruth Campaign]] of [[Peter the Great]] in 1711. The stronghold was sacked by the Russians in the [[Russo-Turkish War (1735–1739)]]. The Soroca fortress is an important attraction in [[Soroca]], having preserved cultures and kept the old Soroca in the present day.
Line 45: Line 44:
==Architecture==
==Architecture==


The current building displays the most elaborated characteristics of late [[Medieval stronghold|medieval fortifications]]. This observation conveys the idea that the fort was built maybe by expert from [[Western Europe]] or [[Transylvanian]] people whom traveled in Western Europe and brought architectural ideas back in [[Moldova]] :
The current building displays elaborate characteristics of late [[Medieval stronghold|medieval fortifications]]. This observation conveys the idea that the fort was perhaps built by experts from [[Western Europe]] or [[Transylvania|Transylvanian]] people who traveled in Western Europe and brought architectural ideas back to [[Moldova]] :
*The walls are not built straight but in a curved shape to resist better to projectile, so are the 4 outer towers.
*The walls are not built straight but in a curved shape to better resist projectiles, as are the four outer towers.
*We can notice also round towers which allowed the defensors to shoot from better angles and thus protect the base of the walls.
*One can also notice round towers which allowed the defenders to shoot from better angles and thus protect the base of the walls.
The entire building has a diameter of 30 meters, 4 meters for the towers. Each tower has 4 level, the first two lower ones were used for artillery. The walls are 3 meters thick and we can find signs of a previous ditch. The main entrance tower had 3 doors, amongst them a portcullis which were closed during battles, thus the space saved at the upper level allowed garrison to pray in a small chapel.<ref>{{cite book|language= ro|last= BULAT|first= Nicolae |title= Județa Soroca, file de istorie|location= Chisinau|publisher= Editura ARC|year= 2000|isbn = 9975-61-139-7|pages= 22–23}}</ref>
The entire building has a diameter of 30 meters, and 4 meters for each tower. Each tower has 4 levels, of which the first two lower ones were used for artillery. The walls are 3 meters thick and we can find signs of a previous ditch. The main entrance tower had 3 doors, amongst them a portcullis which was closed during battles. The space saved at the upper level allowed the garrison to pray in a small chapel.<ref>{{cite book|language= ro|last= BULAT|first= Nicolae |title= Județa Soroca, file de istorie|location= Chisinau|publisher= Editura ARC|year= 2000|isbn = 9975-61-139-7|pages= 22–23}}</ref>


Despite all these strong features the fort was obsolete after the end of the 14th century because of the more widespead use of [[gunpowder]].<ref>{{cite book|language= ro|last= BULAT|first= Nicolae |title= Județa Soroca, file de istorie|location= Chisinau|publisher= Editura ARC|year= 2000|isbn = 9975-61-139-7|pages= 20–21}}</ref>
Despite all these features the fort was obsolete after the end of the 14th century because of the more widespread use of [[gunpowder]].<ref>{{cite book|language= ro|last= BULAT|first= Nicolae |title= Județa Soroca, file de istorie|location= Chisinau|publisher= Editura ARC|year= 2000|isbn = 9975-61-139-7|pages= 20–21}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
{{portal|Moldova}}
* [[Nicolae Bulat]]
* [[Nicolae Bulat]]


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071010105208/http://www.molddata.md/Cultura/cetat/ctsoroca.html Molddata.md: Cetatea Soroca] {{ro icon}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071010105208/http://www.molddata.md/Cultura/cetat/ctsoroca.html Molddata.md: Cetatea Soroca] {{in lang|ro}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070809015843/http://soroca-fortress.nflame.net/_ro/index.htm Cetatea Soroca] {{ro icon}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070809015843/http://soroca-fortress.nflame.net/_ro/index.htm Cetatea Soroca] {{in lang|ro}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 63: Line 63:
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Soroca Fort, Eastern Walls, from the outside..JPG
File:Soroca Fort, Eastern Walls, from the outside..JPG
File:Soroca Fort, Main Tower & Entrance, from the otside..JPG
File:Soroca Fort, Main Tower & Entrance, from the outside.jpg
File:Soroca Fort, Inside in Renovation, The Court (n°2).JPG
File:Soroca Fort, Inside in Renovation, The Court (n°2).JPG
File:Soroca Fort, Main Tower, from the inside (n°2).JPG
File:Soroca Fort, Main Tower, from the inside (n°2).JPG

Latest revision as of 01:02, 25 March 2024

Soroca Fort
Cetatea Soroca
Soroca
The fort in 2018
Coordinates48°9′40.38″N 28°18′19.72″E / 48.1612167°N 28.3054778°E / 48.1612167; 28.3054778
Site information
ConditionRenovation completed
Site history
Built1499 (1499)
Built byStephen the Great, Petru Rareş
Garrison information
GarrisonFrom 200 to 250 men

The Soroca Fort (Romanian: Cetatea Soroca) is a historic fort in the Republic of Moldova, in the modern-day city of Soroca.

The city has its origin in the medieval Genoese trade post of Olchionia, or Alchona.[citation needed] It is known for its well-preserved stronghold, established by the Moldavian Prince Stephen the Great (Romanian: Ştefan cel Mare) in 1499.

The original wooden fort, which defended a ford over the Dniester (Romanian: Nistru), was an important link in the chain of fortifications which comprised four forts (e.g. Akkerman and Khotin) on the Dniester, two forts on the Danube and three forts on the north border of medieval Moldova. Between 1543 and 1546 under the rule of Petru Rareş, the fortress was rebuilt in stone as a perfect circle with five bastions situated at equal distances.

During the Great Turkish War, John Sobieski's forces successfully defended the fortress against the Ottomans. It was of vital military importance during the Pruth Campaign of Peter the Great in 1711. The stronghold was sacked by the Russians in the Russo-Turkish War (1735–1739). The Soroca fortress is an important attraction in Soroca, having preserved cultures and kept the old Soroca in the present day.

Architecture

[edit]

The current building displays elaborate characteristics of late medieval fortifications. This observation conveys the idea that the fort was perhaps built by experts from Western Europe or Transylvanian people who traveled in Western Europe and brought architectural ideas back to Moldova :

  • The walls are not built straight but in a curved shape to better resist projectiles, as are the four outer towers.
  • One can also notice round towers which allowed the defenders to shoot from better angles and thus protect the base of the walls.

The entire building has a diameter of 30 meters, and 4 meters for each tower. Each tower has 4 levels, of which the first two lower ones were used for artillery. The walls are 3 meters thick and we can find signs of a previous ditch. The main entrance tower had 3 doors, amongst them a portcullis which was closed during battles. The space saved at the upper level allowed the garrison to pray in a small chapel.[1]

Despite all these features the fort was obsolete after the end of the 14th century because of the more widespread use of gunpowder.[2]

See also

[edit]
[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Soroca Fort.
  • 1941 stamp
    1941 stamp
  • 1995 stamp
    1995 stamp
  • 1879 stamp
    1879 stamp

References

[edit]
  1. ^ BULAT, Nicolae (2000). Județa Soroca, file de istorie (in Romanian). Chisinau: Editura ARC. pp. 22–23. ISBN 9975-61-139-7.
  2. ^ BULAT, Nicolae (2000). Județa Soroca, file de istorie (in Romanian). Chisinau: Editura ARC. pp. 20–21. ISBN 9975-61-139-7.
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