Its sole purpose was to support the fortification with cannons thus creating additional defense for the Azov Flotilla.

The islet was built by the personal order of Peter the Great in 1701-1706 of rock fill held by oak piles.

On September 19, 1711 by the order of Peter the Great, Taganrog was demolished and in February 1712 Russian troops left the town.

After the next Russo-Turkish war, the Treaty of Niš was signed stipulating the return of the territory to Russia but without the right to reconstruct the Taganrog Fortress.

In the late 18th century the city of Taganrog lost its military and strategic importance and the citadel was not reconstructed.