Sarkel was located on the left bank of the lower Don River. The surrounding city served as a bustling commercial center. Caravans from many lands arrived in Sarkel.

Sarkel's fortress and city were captured by the Kievan Rus' prince Sviatoslav I in 965. The city was renamed as Belaya Vezha (Slavic for "White Tower") and settled by Slavs until the 12th century. Then, the district was taken over by the Kipchaks.

Today it belongs to Poltava Region, Ukraine.