Fort XII of the Toruń Fortress

Fort XII of the Toruń Fortress, previously known as Va Ulrich von Jungingen, was built between 1887 and 1889 as a standard intermediate fort to strengthen the defense of the city of Toruń. Its structure was made of brick and concrete, in the shape of a trapezoid, with open artillery positions reaching out to nearby towns. The fort is surrounded by earthen ramparts and a moat, and its garrison consisted of one infantry company. Shortly after its completion, the fort underwent modernization, including reinforcing the vault and raising the ramparts, while additional terrain camouflage allowed for more effective artillery fire. The fort also served an experimental role, introducing modern solutions such as electrified barbed wire and concrete counter-scarps. The interior was illuminated by an oil engine, and in 1911, exercises involving mining and blowing up parts of the walls were conducted. After World War I, the fort was significantly damaged by German troops and then briefly left uninhabited. During the interwar period, it served as barracks for artillery soldiers, and in 1941, it was used as a detention site for Soviet prisoners of war. Today, the fort is in moderate condition, with the barracks and shelters still recognizable, though many elements are damaged or in ruins. As an abandoned site, the fort is slowly falling into oblivion and becoming overgrown, creating a unique historical atmosphere. An interesting fact is its role in experimenting with modern defensive solutions and its use during both world wars, making it an important landmark in the history of military architecture in the region.