Fort W VI "Helicha"

Fort W VI "Ivanova Hora", now known as "Helicha", is a single-rampart artillery fort of the Przemyśl Fortress, located near the village of Kruhel Wielki. Its history dates back to 1854-1857, when it was built as an entrenchment of a fortified camp. In 1878, the fort was rebuilt into an artillery fort, and between 1903 and 1910, it was modernized to improve close-range defense. During World War I, in 1915, the fort was partially blown up, and its remains were dismantled between 1920 and 1930. Architecturally, the fort was designed following the model of Fort III "Łuczyce", dominating the village of Vitoshyntsi and flanking the interfields of Prałkowce and Grochowce. Situated on a hard-to-capture hill—the highest within the Przemyśl Fortress—the fort featured a masonry-earth construction. The entrance led through a brick-and-stone gate, protected by a semicircular earth bastion, with crew barracks located opposite the gate. The rampart housed artillery and infantry positions, as well as shelters and support facilities for the cannon. Interestingly, the fort had specially designed concrete parapets, and its corners were equipped with platforms for machine guns. The fort's moats were protected by caponiers, adding an extra layer of defense. Fort W VI "Ivanova Hora" is not only an example of military architecture but also an important part of the history of the Przemyśl Fortress, reflecting the defensive and military strategies of its time.