Fort X of the Warsaw Fortress

Fort X, also known as "Augustówka" or "Siekierki," is one of the outer ring forts of the Warsaw Fortress, built in the 1880s. Its location in a marshy area near the Vistula River meant that traditional brick or concrete shelters were not used; instead, the fort took the form of an earthen, double-rampart battery surrounded by a wet moat. The fortification held strategic importance, as it blocked the Vistula Valley. In 1913, as part of the fortress decommissioning process, part of the fort was demolished. In 1939, the fort served as a defensive position for Polish troops, and in 1944, it was defended by German forces. After World War II, a military shooting range was established on its grounds, which significantly impacted the complex’s subsequent fate and appearance. Today, the remains of the fort are easily accessible from Siekierkowska Route, yet they have fallen into obscurity, as their potential as a historical monument remains untapped. The site was once surrounded by additional satellite defensive positions, one of which is located near Wolicka Street 13 and is visible in aerial photographs from the 1930s and 1940s. Thus, Fort X is not only an important element of Warsaw’s military history but also an intriguing attraction for enthusiasts of history and military architecture.