TRENDEFRARAtlas of the Sultans · Wars, battles and treaties
Siege · 1854
At the start of the Crimean War the Russians besieged Silistra on the Danube. According to the TDV article on Silistra, strong, self-contained modern fortifications (such as the Mecidiye redoubt) had earlier been built on the heights commanding the south of the town; these redoubts played an important part in the Russian siege of 15 May – 25 June 1854. The successful defence under Musa Hulusi Pasha of Salonica forced the Russians to raise the siege and inspired Namık Kemal's famous play Vatan yahud Silistre (Fatherland, or Silistra).
| Date | 15 May – 25 June 1854 |
|---|---|
| Location | Silistra, on the Danube |
| Result | The Russian siege failed; the town was held |
| Belligerents | Ottoman Empire | Russian Empire |
|---|---|---|
| Commanders | Musa Hulusi Pasha |
Took place during the reign of Abdulmejid I (1839–1861). Abdulmejid I
Open the reign of Abdulmejid I on the mapBy the atlas's calculation the Ottoman lands covered about 3,803,000 km² in 1854; at the start of Abdulmejid I's reign they measured 3,803,000 km², at its end 3,803,000 km².
During Abdulmejid I (1839–1861) the atlas records 0 regions gained and 0 regions lost.
The sultan of the Tanzimat: equality before the law, modern codes, the telegraph, the railway and the decision to found a university all belong to his reign. The Crimean War was won without territorial loss, but the first foreign loan was also taken and financial dependence began.
Areas are land area computed from the atlas's region data; see Method and sources.
Source: TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, “SİLİSTRE” (Turkish); text written for the atlas.
Cite as: Atlas of the Sultans, “Siege of Silistra (1854): Date, Commanders and Outcome”, https://padisahlaratlasi.com/en/events/siege-of-silistra/ (last updated 12 November 2026). Corrections