The history of the fortress Sujuk-Kale begins in 1453, when after the capture of Constantinople by the Turks, the Tsemess Bay and Taman came under Turkish control. The territory where the city of Novorossiysk is now located remained under Turkish rule until the 17th century. In 1722, anticipating war with Russia, the Ottomans strengthened their defenses along the Black Sea and built the fortress Sujuk-Kale near present-day Novorossiysk, stationing a garrison of several hundred janissaries there. In 1773, the Russians achieved victory over the Turks in Tsemess Bay, and Sujuk became the main base of the Turkish fleet. However, by 1784, Turkish troops moved to Anapa, and Sujuk lost its strategic significance. The Russians captured the fortress in 1791, and in 1812, they destroyed its walls, which the Turks did not attempt to restore. The Treaty of Adrianople in 1829 transferred Tsemess Bay to Russia. In 1834, General Raevsky decided to build a base for the Black Sea Fleet there.