Originally, the city of Krasnodar was known as Yekaterinodar, meaning "Catherine's Gift." It was named Krasnodar in 1920, probably meaning "beautiful gift" or "gift of the reds." As many other Russian cities, it originated as a fortress, built by the Cossacks, to defend the border of Russia. In World War II, it was occupied by the Nazis, and in 1943, there were trials held in Krasnodar for those who were believed to have committed war crimes and collaborated with the Nazis. 8 people were sentenced to death by the Krasnodar Tribunal. One of the most interesting sights of Krasnodar is the amazing steel hyperboloid tower, constructed by Vladimir Shukhov.