Fortress of Saint Elizabeth is no accident takes pride of place in a number of unique facilities in Ukraine. This is the only earthwork in Eastern Europe, almost entirely preserved to this day. The fortress as a military facility was abolished two centuries ago. Now she is listed as a monument of fortification art of the 18th century. The fortress was named in honor of St. Elizabeth - patron saint of Russian Empress Elizabeth.

At the outer fortifications had a perimeter of about 6 miles ≈ 6, 3 km. and shape of the hexagon - a regular hexagon. At the time Elizabethan castle served as the main settlement Novoslobodskaya Cossack regiment, and was one of the mainstays of Russian influence in the region for 11 years starting in 1753, it was in this fortress was the Russian command in southern Ukraine. There is also a 1756 Commission of Inquiry worked for Haidamaks. During the Russian-Turkish military conflict 68-74gg 18th century, when Tartars invaded beyond Elisavetgrad Province, to strengthen the garrison was not only successfully withstood the siege, and the Turkish-Tatar army was repulsed from neighboring villages.

Beginning in 1775, the fortress lost its defensive significance. Nine years later, here he was moved to Kherson all the artillery, and the castle is transformed into a city of the same name - Yelisavetgrad. The defensive fortifications called the names of saints or in honor of Christian holidays: the main gate of the fortress - the Trinity, the gateway to the city center - Prechistenskie, the gateway to the Castle Lane - All Saints; Catherine bastions, Petrovsky, Aleksievsky, St. Andrew, Alexander, St. Michael's, Caves. This is not surprising, then bloody, difficult time supporting the heavenly patrons was very relevant.