The lost tower of Khadzhibey Castle was found in Odesa after 240 years of searching

During excavations on Primorsky Boulevard in Odesa, an archaeological expedition discovered one of the towers of the Khadzhibey Castle.

This was announced by Andriy Krasnozhon, rector of the K. D. Ushynsky South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University.

“We can finally summarize the initial results of this year’s joint archaeological expedition by the Ushynsky University in Odesa and the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine: one of the towers of the Khadzhibey Castle has been found,” Krasnozhon wrote.

<picture></picture>Photo: Andriy Krasnozhon / Facebook

According to him, for the first time in 240 years, researchers have not only managed to precisely locate the defensive complex but also determine its actual dimensions, which had previously been a matter of debate. The question of the castle’s dating remains open for now.

Scientists identified the location of the tower last year by comparing the castle’s 1789 plans with drawings of the front wall of an artillery battery attached to it in the 1760s. During the excavations, the structure’s foundations were found to be nearly intact—even the first row of masonry had been preserved. Part of the structure, however, was damaged by a 19th-century storm drain and a modern concrete well.

<picture></picture>Photo: Andriy Krasnozhon / Facebook

Although historical plans depict the tower as circular, archaeologists discovered a polygonal foundation. According to the researchers, this practice was common for medieval fortifications: circular towers were often built on polygonal or square bases.

The tower’s diameter was about 8 meters, and the walls were 2.5 meters thick. Channels for wooden reinforcing beams, held together by a forged metal rod, have been preserved in the masonry. Ottoman plinths and “Tatar” roof tiles were used during construction.

<picture></picture>Photo: Andriy Krasnozhon / Facebook

In the construction debris, archaeologists found a silver coin of Sultan Abdul-Hamid I, dated 1785, as well as pieces of clothing. According to researchers, this indicates that “even if the Ottomans did not build the tower, they at least actively used it in the 18th century.”

Another discovery was a utility pit containing a Golden Horde jug from the second half of the 14th century, originating from the central part of modern-day Moldova.

According to Krasnozhon, this confirms that “700 years ago, the area where Primorsky Boulevard stands today was bustling with life” and helps determine the earliest possible date of the castle’s construction.

North of the tower, archaeologists also excavated an artillery yard. A Russian coin from 1761 was found in a rainwater drainage ditch. The researchers note that after the storming of Hadzhibey Castle in September 1789, Russian troops began dismantling it for building materials, causing significant damage to the foundation.

Based on the results of their research, the scientists determined that most of the Khadzhibey Castle still lies beneath the modern pavement of Primorsky Boulevard. According to their estimates, the fortress measured approximately 32×37 meters—slightly larger than the area of the citadel at the Akkerman Fortress.

As Andriy Krasnozhon noted, this result was achieved thanks to many years of collaborative work by archaeologists, support from city authorities, and the participation of history students and volunteers.

Ірина Глухова