Fort V of the Toruń Fortress

Fort V in Toruń, also known as Jan Karol Chodkiewicz, was built between 1879 and 1884 as part of the city's northern defense line and to secure the railway to Grudziądz. Architecturally, it is a main fort with a pentagonal shape, constructed from concrete and brick, surrounded by earthworks, and equipped with 14 open artillery positions. Designed to engage targets at a distance of up to 800 meters, the fort underwent several modernizations—just ten years after its completion, a concrete layer was added over the barracks, along with additional storage buildings. Between 1911 and 1912, the fort was further upgraded, which included sealing the windows with concrete, reinforcing the walls, introducing electricity, and planting camouflage vegetation. After World War I, it served as barracks, and in the 1920s, it was used by the Polish military. Notably, Fort V stands out among Toruń’s fortifications due to its well-preserved original equipment. Currently owned by the Polish Army, it represents a valuable part of the region’s architectural and military-historical heritage, serving not only as a witness to turbulent history but also as an intriguing site for enthusiasts of history and fortress architecture.