Lands, where modern Taganrog is located, had belonged to ancient tribes of the Cimmerians, Scythians and Sarmatians, which later were seized by the Slavs. These lands remember Kievan prince Svyatoslav, who had been at war with the Khasars; the Golden Horde and Crimean Tatars. Lower course of the River Don and coast of the Azov Sea always attracted humans with vast and fertile steppes, rich pastures and deep rivers, full of fish. For hundreds of years nomads attacked southern borders of the Moskovia, and Russian princes had to build fortresses to protect peaceful population.
In 15th century Don’s outflow and Azov Sea coast were conquered by the Ottoman Empire. At that time Moskovia didn’t have enough money and power to start a war with the Ottoman invaders, thus leading defensive policy. 16th century was crucial for Russia – the country desperately needed access to the sea for expanding trade and cultural relationships. Young tsar Peter I (later known as Peter the Great) decided to start the war with the Turks. Military operations started with Azov campaigns, which ended in foundation of Taganrog.
The tsar chose the place for the future city himself. Peter I spent several days at the Cape Tagan and decided to build a city, a harbour and a fortress there. Construction works started in 1698. The fortress was named Troitskaya-on-Tagan-Rog, however, the final name was Tagan-Rog. The city construction was a slow process, and the tsar prepared detailed directions for building Taganrog. The city was surrounded with fruit gardens and vineyards, as well as strawberry plantations. Lemon and orange trees arrived there from Konstantinopol. In the beginning on the 18th century construction was almost finished. Taganrog became a nicely fortified city with a harbour, inhabited with several thousands soldiers of garrison. The tsar was content with the work.
In 1700 Russia signed a 30-year-long peace treaty with Turkey, but the Ottoman Empire broke the treaty in 1711, sending its fleet to Azov and Taganrog. City garrison resisted Turkish attacks; however, Russia had to return Azov to Turkey due to conditions of truce. Treaty conditions obliged Russia to destroy Taganrog fortress and to keep its fleet away from the Azov Sea. Taganrog was destroyed in 1712 and was in ruins for many years of Turkish possession of the land.
Peter the Great dreamt of reconstructing the fortress till his death. In 1735 Russian troops returned Azov and started to rebuild Taganrog. Reconstruction lasted till 1739, when Russia joined Belgrade Peace treaty and had to destroy the city again. Cape Taganrog was once more a deserted place with solitary fishermen’s huts.
The city started to recover only in1769, when Catherine the Great ordered to prepare Taganrog harbour for hosting and building ships. When Crimea joined Russia in 1783, Taganrog lost its strategic importance and was never ruined again.
The city kept growing and developing. Taganrog became a noisy commercial harbour and helped establishing trade relations with foreign countries via southern seas. About 200 ships visited the city every year, and the same number left it with various goods for sale. Fifteen foreign states had there trade consulates. Main export good was wheat and other grains. Imported goods were raw sugar, coffee, tobacco, wines, lemons, oranges, oils and expensive fabrics. Trade fairs, held in Taganrog, got together merchants from all over Russia.
Crimean War started in 1853 and brought Taganrog to its military past. The city survived numerous attacks of the English and French fleets. In 1860 city population reached 18 thousand people – main nationalities were Russians, Ukrainians and Greeks. In 1869 a railroad connected the city with central Russian regions. In the end of 19th century the city became industrial – metallurgic works, mechanical plant and boiler plant made Taganrog on of the largest industrial cities of the Russian south. The city educated its population in commercial and technical colleges. In 1913 city population reached 71 thousand people.
Taganrog was the only non-capital city, which had Italian Opera, funded by merchants-philanthropists, and new building of the city theatre was among mot beautiful in Russia. Taganrog is the birthplace of Anton Chekhov.