The article attracts the attention of the scientific community to one of the important sites in the history of the Peter’s era in the territory of the modern Dagestan - the fortress of the Holy Cross in the mouth of the river Sulak, the foundation of which was laid by the emperor Peter the Great in September of 1722. The available data on this unique site, regarding its construction, purpose, functioning, trade-economic role in the region and liquidation has been summarized and thoroughly analyzed. The most common version in historiography about the origin of the name of the fortress is considered. A critical assessment of this version is provided.The issues associated with the identification and study of the remains of the site with further inclusion in the Unified State Register of Objects of Cultural Heritage (monuments of history and culture) of the peoples of Russia and application of it for the development of educational tourism are outlined. In determining the location of this object, the preserving large number of archival sources and cartographic materials will support researchers greatly in their study. The reconstruction of historical memory about this unique site of the Peter’s era could be a break-through project, which will allow to raise the methods of solving the issues of civil and patriotic education of younger generations on a new level, to elevate the investment and touristic appeal of the republic of Dagestan.
