Fort Szcza of the Warsaw Fortress

Fort Szcza, also known as Fort Szczęśliwice, is one of the forts of the inner ring of the Warsaw Fortress, located in the Ochota district. Built in the 1880s, the fort has a regular pentagonal shape and was originally surrounded by a dry moat, which later filled with water. Its architecture was enhanced by brick caponiers and two barrack shelters. It functioned as a storage facility, especially after its modernization in the 1890s. After 1909, during the dismantling of the fortress, part of the fort's structures were destroyed, which negatively impacted its condition. Historically, the fort played a significant role during the defense of Warsaw in September 1939, when it was captured by the Germans. After World War II, the fort's area was repurposed, and garages were built on the site, although the ramparts, two barrack buildings, and the ruins of the caponiers have survived to this day. The fort is surrounded by allotment gardens, and in 2004, it was sold to a private owner. In 2023, the property was repurchased by the Polish company Arche from a Turkish entrepreneur. The fort is open for visitors from the side of Śmigłowca Street, making it an interesting destination for history and architecture enthusiasts in Warsaw. An interesting fact is that the fort is located in the area of the former village of Szczęśliwice, which adds additional cultural context to its history.