Archaeologists Confirm Location of Hadzhibey Fortress in Odesa City Center
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| Excavation site in the center of Odessa. ANDREW KRASNOZHON |
For nearly two centuries, the exact location of the Hadzhibey fortress in Odesa remained a subject of debate among historians and archaeologists due to a scarcity of reliable historical documents. Recent archaeological excavations have finally brought clarity, confirming that the fortress was situated in the heart of modern Odesa, specifically between the Richelieu monument, the funicular, and the southern alleys of Primorsky Boulevard.
Excavations at the site began in 2021 but were temporarily halted due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Work resumed in June 2025, leading to significant discoveries. Archaeologists unearthed the frontal wall of an artillery coastal battery, a structure depicted in late 18th-century plans of the castle. Alongside this, various Ottoman-era ceramic and bronze artifacts were discovered.
A particularly noteworthy finding was the extension of the castle battery wall's foundation into an ancient layer dating back to the 5th century BC. This marks the first time that cultural layers of the ancient Greek settlement of Gavan Istrian have been traced within its northern boundary. This ancient settlement was strategically located in a ravine that later provided natural protection for the Hadzhibey fortress walls. The high elevation of the site (32 meters above sea level) offered a commanding view, crucial for controlling the harbor and access to the mouths of the Viyskova and Karantynna ravines, one of which housed the Turkish port of Hadzhibey.
The three-week expedition involved students from the South Ukrainian Pedagogical University and staff from the Institute of Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences. The unearthed materials suggest a layered history for the site, initially hosting a cultural layer of an Italian fortress known as Ginestra, followed by the Ottoman Hadzhibey fortress. Remains of these fortifications were found in proximity to the funicular. Prior georadar studies conducted in 2021 and repeated in spring 2025 had already indicated an anomaly on Primorsky Boulevard, reinforcing the belief that the stone Hadzhibey fortress once stood there. Significantly, no previous excavations had been carried out in the semicircular square of Odesa where the Duke monument is now located.
This discovery not only resolves a long-standing historical enigma but also sheds new light on the rich and complex past of Odesa, revealing its historical layers from ancient Greek settlements to Ottoman and Italian strongholds.
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This discovery is truly a breakthrough for Odesa’s history! 🏛️
ReplyDeleteAfter nearly two centuries of speculation and debate, archaeologists have finally confirmed the exact location of the Hacıbek Fortress — right in the heart of modern-day Odesa, nestled between the Richelieu monument, the funicular, and Prymorsky Boulevard.
What’s especially fascinating is that alongside remnants of an Ottoman battery, researchers uncovered cultural layers dating back to the 5th century BCE, tied to the ancient Greek settlement of Havan Istrian. This opens up a whole new chapter in understanding the city’s rich, multilayered past — spanning antiquity, Ottoman influence, and even traces of Italian presence.
It’s exciting to think how these findings might shape future research — and who knows, maybe even an open-air museum to bring this history into the public eye. Once again, Odesa proves its past is just as captivating as its present.