What is a citadel? How does it differ from a fortress or castle? When and by whom was the Citadel military operation carried out ? You can find answers to all these questions in our article.
A brief history of fortifications
People began to protect their homes, villages from ancient times. The very first fortification can be considered a settlement - a system of earthen ramparts, which was built around the settlement. Later they began to be surrounded by wooden palisades, and even later - by stone walls and towers with loopholes.
In the Middle Ages , huge castles began to be built, with high and strong walls, loopholes, bastions, redoubts and moats filled with water. What is a citadel? When did she arise? Let's try to figure this out.
Citadel Fortress: what is it?
The very first citadels arose in the cities of ancient Indian civilization. These powerful fortifications not only protected people, but also embodied the strength and power of the state.
To answer the question of what a citadel is, one should turn to the etymology of this concept. Translated from Italian, the citadel is a small fortified town or village. True, there is another version of the origin of the word. Some researchers associate this term with the Latin word "civis", which translates as "citizen".
From the point of view of architecture, a citadel is a well-fortified fortress protecting the city, or the inner, most reliable part of the castle, in which residents could hide in the most extreme case. The citadel, as a rule, can carry out defense from an enemy army independently.
A significant feature of the citadel is that it serves as the last stronghold in the defense of the city, when all other objects and fortifications have been taken. The citadels should have a sufficient area to accommodate not only the military garrison of the fortress, but also the necessary provisions (food, weapons and ammunition).
The synonym for the word "citadel" is the architectural term "bonfire". This name can often be found in Russian chronicles of the XIV-XVI centuries. The term most likely came from the word "castrum" - "castle".
How is the citadel different from a fortress?
Among scientists and researchers there is no single and coordinated system of concepts regarding various fortifications.
A fortress (or castle) is the common name for the entire fortification system created around a city, village, or feudal palace. At the same time, the citadel is only a part, a separate element of this defensive system.
So, if an outpost is understood as the first defensive position of any fortress, then the citadel is the last point of its defense. If the city walls and external fortifications were captured by the enemy, then the garrison could continue the defense in the citadel.
What is the Citadel Plan ?
On July 5, 1943, a massive strategic offensive of the Wehrmacht forces began on the position of Soviet troops on the Kursk bridgehead. This military operation received a name in history - the plan "Citadel".
The task of the German headquarters was to quickly surround the enemy forces and destroy them immediately. However, the command of the Red Army managed to organize a competent and successful defense. And, after six days after the start of the operation, the situation for the Germans was extremely disappointing. The result of the offensive operation "Citadel" was its complete failure for the Nazi troops.
Finally...
Now you know what a citadel is, and how it differs from other fortification elements. This is the most reliable and fortified part of the fortress, which serves as the last refuge for the defending city garrison.