Bender Fortress

Bender Fortress, also known as Tighina Fortress or Bendery Fortress, Bendery Fortress is not only one of the oldest structures but also a remarkable monument of fortification architecture in Moldova.

The citadel of the fortress was constructed by the medieval Genoese. After Bender became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1538, the fortress was rebuilt by the Turks. The citadel comprises eight towers and has been retained virtually in its original condition to this day.

The Ottomans transformed the fortress into a well-established combat outpost by utilizing local resources and the labor of local peasants. The stone stronghold was a quadrangle at the time, bordered on three sides by a wide ditch. Moldavian detachments tried to attack the Bender fortress many times by the end of the 16th century but did not succeed.

The castle was at the epicenter of the conflict between the two empires throughout the Russian-Turkish wars of the 18th and 19th centuries, and it was seized by Russian forces three times. Bender Fortress functioned as a fortification for the Russian army after Bender became part of the Russian Empire. The fortress territory and moat were removed during this time, the citadel and lower fortress towers were restored, and the Main gates were rebuilt. The Pantheon of Russian Glory is placed on the citadel's southern wall, where busts of great military leaders of the Russian Imperial Army can be seen.

Location: Petra Panin 2/3, Bender 3200