The Crimean War, which lasted from 1853 to 1856, was ended by the Paris agreement. Under this agreement, the fortress had been destroyed.
The Turks came back in 1856 and stayed until 1878 when the Russian Army defeated them again.
Here is what Lord Byron wrote about Izmail:
"That city Izmail. On the left bank of Danube it was standing, the houses are eastern in the style, but the fortress, I am not lying, first class, another one like that we don't know..."
Today, the only remnant of the former legendary fortress is an old XVI century Turkish Mosque. In 1973, it became a museum and diorama, featuring the storm of Izmail by legendary Generalissimus A.V. Suvorov.
After the Russian revolution, Izmail was occupied by the Romanian soldiers. It was not freed until June 1940. Only one year later, the war came back to the battered region. On June 21, 1941, at 4:25 a.m. Izmail was attacked by the German army. The border guard units fought for the entire month before finally falling to the Hitler's army.
On August 26, 19944, during Jass-Kishiven operation, Izmail was freed again. Never to be occupied again!!!
Today Izmail is a major regional center. However, it still retains the dreamy look because of the numerous parks.
There are two higher education institutions, Izmail State Pedagogic Institute and Water Transportation Institute. There are also several technical colleges. The are many important industries. Izmail Port Authority is reknown for its operations on the Danube and the Black Sea.
My favorite has always been and will be the old part of Izmail. I love the beautiful Suvorov Prospect running towards the shimmering blue Danube... I love the enchanting old parks with their cascading fountains... I love the old buildings whispering about the tragic history of Izmail... I love the fragrant gardens... I love the bustling marketplace -- bazaar... I love Pushkin Street with its numerous boutiques... Although I am a proud American citizen now, my native country will never be forgotten...
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