Fort P of the Warsaw Fortress

Fort "P" (Russian: "П"), also known as Fort Bema, is one of the key elements of the pre-war and wartime defensive structures in Warsaw, built between 1886 and 1890. It is an earthen-brick, double-rampart fort with a water moat, featuring a pentagonal layout. The fort's architecture is distinguished by two ramparts: an outer one for infantry and an inner one with artillery positions, as well as shelters and barracks that testify to the construction techniques of the time. The expansion of the fort between 1889 and 1890 included additional infantry ramparts aimed at improving its defensive capabilities. After its military use ended, the fort was repurposed, and from 1924 to 1939, it was used by the Ammunition Factory Workshops. Historically, the fort played a role in the defense of Warsaw in September 1939 and withstood numerous German attacks, demonstrating the determination of the soldiers who defended it. After the war, the structure served as a storage site and prisoner-of-war camp, and in later years, it was utilized by the military and civilian sports clubs. In 1999, the fort came under the management of the City of Warsaw Office, and its grounds were transformed into a recreational and leisure center, though this process faced various challenges related to pollution and structural degradation. Interestingly, the fort became a target of the Polish resistance movement during World War II. In recent years, efforts have been made to renovate the site and convert it into a city park. As a result, Fort "P" has attracted new visitors, and its history has become part of the local cultural identity. Although the site faces numerous issues, including vandalism and pollution, it remains one of the best-preserved fragments of the Warsaw Fortress.