I am studying the Russo-Turkish War of 1877 and trying to get a handle on the Ottoman disposition in the Balkans. I have heard from a few scattered sources that the Ottomans had some kind of fort or system of forts along the coast of the Black Sea near the Danube Delta which would severely hamper Russian attempts to march a shortest path to the enemy, ultimately resulting in the Russians choosing to cross the Danube farther upriver. But I can't find find specific mention of what fort or forts these were and where exactly they are. Any help?
Also I welcome any good sources of information on the military campaigns of this war, thank you!
I actually ended up finding the answer to me own question today, so I will post it here if anyone else is wondering in the future.
The fortreses the Russians feared were the so called "Quadrilateral Fortresses" which had hampered their efforts in previous Russo-Turkish Wars. They are located at: Silistra, Ruse (Rustchuck) Shumen (Shumla) and Varna. These four fortresses block an advance along the Black Sea coastal plains, forcing any other efforts to cross the Danube River and Balkan Mountains.