Semikarakorsk Fortress

The Semikarakorsk Fortress was an early medieval Khazar fortification located near Semikarakorsk in Rostov Oblast, Russia. Constructed in the late 8th to early 9th century CE, the fortress was built on an island hill along the Sal River. It served as a significant residence for the Khazar Khagans on the Lower Don and was notably larger than other contemporary fortresses. The fortress was designed with a 'square in square' layout, featuring an outer wall measuring 215 x 200 meters and an inner citadel of 85 x 80 meters. Its walls, constructed from approximately two million high-quality raw bricks, were a testament to Khazar engineering, with the outer walls reaching heights of up to six meters. The site also held commercial importance, likely due to its strategic location and the presence of brick houses, indicating its use as a khagan residence.