Lankaran Fortress, Azerbaijan

Lankaran Fortress (tower) was constructed in the 18th century. It was one of the main fortresses of the city within Talish khanate. In those days according to the evidence of eyewitnesses the fortress made amazing impression with its high castellated stone walls and menacing cannons. Besides, the fortress was surrounded by deep moats which were filled with water in case of oncoming threat.

The battles were fought from two towered fortifications - northern and southern which stood quite far apart from each other. In 1812 after the bloody battle and great losses from both sides the fortress was taken by Russian armies. After the fall of Lankaran fortress Gulistan peace treaty was signed.

The structure of a fortress included two market places: Bigger and Smaller (Kichik).Two mosques were erected on their territories in the early 20th century. These two mosques, which were the biggest in the city, have survived.