The identity of the medieval fortress architecture on the river Godlih and of the Humara settlement

Abstract

The article describes the scientific hypothesis about the architectural and spatial identity of a medieval fortress at the mouth of the Godlich river and the Khumarinsky fortification on the Kuban river. It was revealed that the planning structure as well as the architectural and spatial organization of these medieval monuments are similar and consist of three parts: the citadel, the fortress and the open settlement. The citadel was a monumental multi-tiered tower, surrounded by a courtyard and a fortress wall. The fortress along the perimeter was surrounded by a defensive wall, fortified with square towers in plan. The open settlement did not have artificial fortifications and was located in an inaccessible place in the immediate vicinity of the citadel and fortress. The architecture and construction of the walls and towers of both fortresses are made in the Byzantine construction culture traditions. The masonry of the fortresses’ walls and towers is a lining with shell-like rows of stones with a filling between them and stone fragments in lime mortar. Since the fortress at the mouth of the Godlich river was severely destroyed as a result of the Tuapse-Adler railway construction, it is possible to rely on the identified analogue to carry out a hypothetical reconstruction, which will serve as a theoretical justification for its restoration and museumification.