Fort VIIA of the Warsaw Fortress

Fort VIIA "Służewiec" is an outer-ring strongpoint of the Warsaw Fortress, constructed in the 1890s. It is located in the Służewiec Południowy housing estate, within Warsaw's Mokotów district. Its primary purpose was to defend the strategic road to Puławy, known today as Puławska Street. Unlike most earlier forts, Fort Służewiec was designed using modern construction methods, including concrete, which was innovative for its time. In 1909, as part of the fortress decommissioning process, the majority of its combat shelters were demolished, but the preserved central section of the fort retained a concrete storage shelter. After World War II, the fort was taken over by the "Czołówka" Film Studio, which established its archives there, giving the site a new cultural significance. Fort VII-A "Służewiec" is listed in the register of historical monuments under number 1478 as of January 27, 1992. In the 1970s, the Służew Fort housing estate was built near the fort, altering its surroundings and repurposing this historical space. Fort VIIA remains an important part of Warsaw's architectural heritage, serving as a reminder of the city's rich history and military traditions.