The Or Qapi fort was built in the 15th century by Mengli Girai and his son Sahib I Giray.

[1] Or Qapi Fortress used to be of great military importance as the key to the Crimean Khanate.

During the Russo-Turkish War (1735–1739), the Russian field marshal Burkhard Christoph von Munnich successfully stormed the fortifications on June 17, 1736, and left the Tatar fortress in ruins.

[1] In 1771, the fortress was captured decisively by Russian General Dolgorukov.

[1][2] During the Second World War, it repeatedly changed ownership between Germany and USSR.