The Fortress of the Holy Cross: Foundation and Construction (1722–1735)

Abstract

The current research is based on archival documents and works by domestic specialists in Caucasian studies. It features the foundation and construction of the Fortress of the Sacred Cross. Its history began during the famous Persian, or Caspian, Campaign of Peter the Great (1722–1723). As a result, the Caspian provinces of Iranand the entire Seaside Dagestan entered the Russian Empire. To protect the new territories, a system of military fortifications was built. The Fortress of the Holy Cross was founded by Peter the Great in September, 1722, inthe estuary of the SulakRiver. It gradually became one of the economic, administrative and political centers of the Caucasus.Owing to its strategic location, the Fortress of the Holy Cross played an important historical role in the Caucasian policy ofRussia: it wasRussia’s pillar of support in the region and shielded the southern boundaries of the Empire. The article focuses on the history of the garrison, which has long remained understudied by domestic historiographers. Some Russian researches devoted to the Caucasian policy in general mention the political and economic role of the Fortress. However, there have been no separate studies devoted to the history of the Fortress – a lacuna the authors of the article attempt to bridge.