COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FORTRESSES ON GREAT ABATIS BORDERS IN RUSSIA IN THE 16–18th CENTURIES

The purpose of this work is to identify the unique features inherent in the City of Orenburg, which is the main outpost of the Novozakamsk great abatis border formed in the 18th century. The planning system inside defensive fortresses refers to the regular type, its scale exceeds other fortresses of Russia, built earlier than in the 18th century. This makes it unique and this research is relevant. The research methodology is based on a comparative analysis of the fortresses in the Russian Empire. Using the historical data, the main outpost cities on the great abatis border of the 15–18th centuries are studied and their comparative analysis is carried out. This approach allows to show the planning features of the city which appeared 300 years ago. Much attention is paid to the construction of the outpost towns and fortresses. Empirically examining already built fortifications for two centuries, in the 18th century engineers changed their approach to the defensive structures. The city significantly grows inside the fortress. The planning structure of settlements becomes regular, the orientation inside becomes simpler. Also, the role of the fortress defense system remains one of the important components when choosing its location. River banks and steep cliffs retain an advantage both over the city defense and the formation of its skyline. The integration of entry gates decreases, which is compensated by the streets intersection with a slight shift of the relative straight axis. All these distinctive features are manifested in the structure of the fortress of Orenburg and make it a unique planning unit.