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The Swinoujscie Fortress - overview |
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The construction of fortifications at the mouth
of the Świna started in the Middle Ages and continued practically without a
break right up to the present day. This was because of Świnoujście's
geographical location and its significance for trade, maritime economy and
defence. Up to the beginning of the 17th century, makeshift
defensive structures were erected here by the Pomeranian princes, later by the
Danes and Swedes, and at the turn of the 18th and 19th
century by the Prussians and French. Only in the 19th century, the
Prussian army started the construction of a complex of permanent fortifications
that turned Świnoujście into a fortress. The construction of Świnoujście's
forts started after the first armed conflict with the Danes in 1849. In 1863,
the town was officially proclaimed a maritime fortress. At the turn of the 19th
and 20th century, the Świnoujście fortress included four extensive
forts, armed with heavy coastal artillery and an ever-increasing number of
concrete fortifications. The town came to house barracks and a permanent army
garrison. During World War I, Świnoujście was a large base of the emperor's
navy; no fighting took place here, however. Pursuant to the Treaty of
Versailles, some of the fortifications were disarmed. In the interwar period
and during World War II, the Świnoujście harbour was the largest Baltic base of
the Kriegsmarine. When in 1945 Świnoujście was surrounded by Russian troops,
the crew were evacuated west on ships. Some of the fortifications were
destroyed then too. After the war, the work on the fortifications was carried
out by Russians and Poles. The majority of old German structures were used for
military purposes. The last defensive structures were built around Świnoujście
in the 70s. Following the end of the "cold war", the local fortifications
completely lost their significance and came to bear witness to history as well
as provide a big tourist attraction.
Worth to be seen:
- The Angel Fort - Its common name fort derives
from the similarity to St. Angel's Castle in Rome, the ancient mausoleum of Emperor
Hadrian which subsequently served as a papal residence.
- The Western Fort - The construction of the fort
started in 1856. Its main role was to protect and guard the harbour of
Świnoujście, later was used as the school battery. IN 1937 fort was
renamed "Henningsen" to commemorate Lieut. Henningsen who had served at
the fort and died at Westerplatte. After the II World War occupied by the
Red Army.
- The Eastern Fort (Gerhard's Fort) - The most interesting and at
the same time, the oldest fortification structure on Wolin Island.
The name Gerhard's Fort is given in memory of a Prussian officer and an
extinguished builder of fortification Gerhard Cornelius von Wallrave. The
battery in cooperation with Western Fort guarded the roadstead of
Świnoujście port. During the II World War it was used as auxiliary
structure and storage facility.
- The Fortification Trail - Marked and launched in 2005,
includes the most interesting monuments of military architecture on the
eastern bank of Świna. The 4 km walk because of its historic and
educational character, realizes the formula of an educational trail.
Contact persons:
English, German:
Anna Prejzner
Tel/fax
(+48) 91 321 56 23
e-mail:
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Tourist Information:
Iwona Kowalska-Wojtal,
Paweł Prejzner,
tel (+48) 91 322 49 99
fax (+48) 91 327 16 29
e-mail:
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Fortresess