Silistria

Silistria, a town of Bulgaria, is situated on the right bank of the Danube, here $1\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$ mile wide, about 70 miles NW. of Varna. Owing to its strategic position it has for many centuries been a more or less formidable fortress, especially since the 14th century, under the dominion of the Turks. The Roman Durostorum, it was captured by the Russians under Sviatoslaff in 867, but was recovered in 971 by the Byzantine emperor, John Zimisces. It has been repeatedly besieged by the Russians. They destroyed the works after capturing it in 1810; but the fortifications were rebuilt more strongly than before, and offered a stout resistance to the Russian attacks in 1828-29. In 1849 it was made a stronghold of the first class, and was rendered almost impregnable by the addition (1853) of twelve detached forts on the south and east. On the outbreak of the Crimean war the Russians laid siege to it with an army of from 60,000 to 80,000 men, but were compelled to retreat after thirty-nine days. In 1877, again, it successfully defied the troops of the czar. The Congress of Berlin in 1878 decreed that the fortifications should be dismantled; but this has not been given effect to. Pop. (1893) 11,710, who weave cloth, tan leather, and grow vegetables.