Yeni-Kale, Yenikale (Ukrainian: Yeni-Kale, Crimean: Yeñi Qale) is a fortress on the shore of the Kerch Strait in the north-eastern part of the city of Kerch, built by the Ottomans in 1699-1706. The name translated from Turkish means New Fortress.

The construction of the fortress was led by Goloppo, an Italian who converted to Islam. Several French engineers also took part in the construction. Yeni-Kale was of great strategic importance - located in the narrowest part of the strait, the fortress, armed with powerful cannons, controlled the passage of ships between the Sea of ​​Azov and the Black Sea. In addition, Yeni-Kale served as the residence of the Turkish Pasha.
The fortress had the shape of an irregular pentagon in plan and, following the steep relief, was located on several levels. At the corners were five semi-bastions, capable of withstanding a long siege and powerful artillery fire. Some of them were far advanced beyond the perimeter of the walls. Thus, the area of ​​​​destruction of the enemy was significantly increased and the possibility of flank shelling of the territory adjacent to the walls appeared. An additional tier of defense was a moat that surrounded the fortress from three sides, with the exception of the coastal side.

Yeni-Kale occupied an area of ​​​​about 2.5 hectares, and it included: two powder warehouses, an arsenal, residential buildings, a water reservoir, a bathhouse, a mosque. About 800 Turkish and 300 Tatar soldiers made up the Yeni-Kale garrison. A serious problem was the lack of fresh water - the only well in the fortress could not provide water to its entire population. Therefore, a ceramic underground water supply was built to supply water, connecting Yeni-Kale with a source located a few kilometers from the fortress.
In the summer of 1771, the Russian army launched an invasion of the Crimea. Yeni-Kale was captured without a fight by units of the Second Army of Major General N. V. Borzov. The Turkish garrison, despite the large reinforcements that arrived by ship a few days before the Russians arrived, left the fortress. In 1774, under the Kyuchuk-Kainarji Treaty, Kerch and Yeni-Kale were transferred to Russia.

By the end of the 18th century, Yeni-Kale lost its military significance, and in 1835 the buildings of a military hospital were located on its territory. During the Crimean War of 1853-1856. The fortress was partially repaired, and several coastal batteries were installed inside. On May 12, 1855, they entered into battle with the English squadron, which entered the Kerch Strait. But the guns gave short range, so the Russian command gave the order to rivet the guns, blow up the powder magazines and leave the positions. In 1880, after the abolition of the military hospital located inside the fortress, Yeni-Kale was finally abandoned.
In the second half of the 20th century, a number of restoration works were carried out in the fortress, and Yeni-Kale was given the status of an architectural monument protected by the state. Today, Yeni-Kale is one of the sights of the Crimea.