Fortress of Two Stephans: on Customers and the Dating of Belgorod Fortifi cations Cover Image

Крепость двух Стефанов: о заказчиках и времени основания белгородских укреплений
Fortress of Two Stephans: on Customers and the Dating of Belgorod Fortifi cations

Author(s): Andrew V. Krasnozhon
Subject(s): History, Archaeology, Architecture, Political history, Middle Ages, 15th Century
Published by: Издательский дом Stratum, Университет «Высшая антропологическая школа»
Keywords: Belgorod fortress; “the Time of Troubles” in Moldavian Principality; Stephan II; construction activities of Stephan III; Moncastro; Dniester estuary; defensive ditch

Summary/Abstract: It was traditionally considered that medieval fortress in Belgorod on Dniester was built in a few stages, during 90 years (from 1390 — to 1479), and the territory of defensive complex during this time gradually broadened from 0,09 ga to 8,73 ga. However, many facts revealed by the historical-architectural analysis of the fortress prove that the fortress was built rather quickly and works on its construction did not last more than two years (1438—1440). Some wide-scale modernization works on the complex were carried out in 1470-1475.Building of this fortress was stimulated by continuous feudal conflicts between the two pretenders on Moldavian throne — Stephen II and his brother Iliaş. As a result, the country was divided into spheres of influence, and Belgorod in 1438 grew into the capital of Ţara de Jos ruled by Stephen II. Modernization in 1470s , carried out during Stephan III the Great’s rule, was motivated by the Ottoman military aggression in the region.

  • Issue Year: 2010
  • Issue No: 6
  • Page Range: 75-102
  • Page Count: 28
  • Language: Russian