Kozlov

Kozlov grew from a small monastery founded in the forest in 1627 into a fortified settlement on Russia's southern frontier. Established in 1635 at the northern end of the emerging Belgorod Line, it guarded the approaches across the steppe. An earthen wall stretched eastward for 25 kilometres, blocking the Nogai Trail used by Tatar raiders. The success of this defence encouraged the construction of further lines farther south. Kozlov also stood on the road to Astrakhan and at the head of water communications leading to the Don, and became a trading centre. It received town status in 1779.