In the years between 1828 and 1869 a vast fortress was built in Poznan, one of the largest fortifications of this type in Europe. It consisted of two components, a polygonal fortress (which stretches along the exact centre of the city) and the fortification of forts, consisting of 18 forts and ancillary facilities in a ring with a circumference of 30km. The polygonal fortress had an especially large impact on the further development of the city.

It consisted of a large fort on Winiarski Hill (citadel), the fortifications on the right bank of River Warta (Ostrow Tumski, Piotrow, Malta, Komandoria and Srodka) and the core on its left bank (Kosciuszko and Kazimierz Wielki Streets today). From the 1870’s the military importance of the polygonal fortress decreased. At the beginning of the 20th century these fortifications were for the most part dismantled but the forts were improved and have remained to this day.

The forts were built according to the standard von Biehler design, pentagonal in shape, surrounded by a moat and an artillery embankment. The Association for the Poznan Fortress Agreement is preparing a project of revitalisation and preservation of Poznan’s fortifications.

Fortifications in Poznan (woj. Wielkopolski)

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