Fort XVI of the Modlin Fortress

Fort XVI, located in Czarnowo, is one of the forts of the Modlin Fortress. Its construction began between 1912 and 1915 as part of the development of the fortress's second ring of forts. The design was based on the standard fort plan "F1909" by General Konstanty Wieliczko. Although the fort was not fully completed before the outbreak of World War I, most of its structures were built, and the earthworks—including ramparts and ditches—were laid out, giving it a trapezoidal shape. A key element of the fort was the caponier—a shelter running beneath the main rampart, which housed infantry combat positions and concrete shelters. There were also plans to install armored domes and an armored turret. Two posterns were constructed: one leading to a large counterscarp caponier, and the other heading toward the gorge (rear) of the fort, where a gorge caponier was planned. Due to intense military operations, the fort was bombarded in 1915 and subsequently abandoned on the orders of General Bobyr. During the interwar period, the fort gained new life as a site of extensive fortification work. Combat domes were mounted on the ramparts, and research on fortress weaponry was conducted. Today, the fort is surrounded by allotment gardens, and its history and architecture remain an intriguing part of the region's cultural heritage.