XVIII. Yüzyılda Karadeniz’de Bir Askerî Toplanma Üssü Olarak İsmail Kalesi
Izmail Fortress as a Military Assembly Base in the Black Sea in the 18th Century

Summary/Abstract: As the Ottoman State's borders expanded, the need for military bases in different locations arose, depending on the direction of the campaigns. In the 18th century, various large-scale fortresses were utilized to meet this need during campaigns directed towards the north and west. Some fortresses of strategic importance, which were initially unsuitable for troop assembly, were reinforced and modified to accommodate the gathering of soldiers. Especially during the campaigns against Russia and Austria in the 18th century, it became inevitable to prefer the fortresses located in the northern part of the Black Sea. During this period, fortresses such as Ochakiv, Belgorod Dnestrovsky, Chilia, Tighina, Izmail, Isaccea, Khotyn, Braila were among the fortresses used by the Ottoman State as military bases in the Danube and Black Sea and considered as border defense lines. From these fortresses, which were close to each other, soldiers were provided temporarily when necessary, and these soldiers returned to their former posts when their duties were over. One of them entioned fortresses, Izmail Fortress, which was initially used merely as a passageway, was established in the late 16th century and expanded over time with the addition of various structures. The wheat produced in abundance in Izmail, the large warehouse capacity in the fortress, the port of the fortress providing logistical advantages and the fortification activities carried out in the fortress facilitated the shipment of the grain and ammunition and the recruitment of soldiers. Izmail Fortress, whose capacity to meet the basic needs of Ottoman soldiers such as accommodation, nutrition, storage and transportation increased, became a preferred base for recruiting soldiers in the 18th century.

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