Kostrzyn Fortress

Kostrzyn Fortress, known as Festung Küstrin, is a complex of fortifications located in Kostrzyn nad Odrą, which was constructed and used from the 15th to the 20th century. The history of the fortress begins with a medieval castle built in the 15th century. In the second half of the 16th century, when Kostrzyn was the capital of the New March, the city was surrounded by modern bastion fortifications in the Italian style, some of which have survived to this day. These fortifications were gradually expanded over the following centuries, and in the 1880s, Kostrzyn gained the status of a fort fortress, resulting in the construction of a ring of four forts: Czarnów, Gorgast, Sarbinowo, and Żabice. During World War II, the fortress played a key role in defense against the Red Army, adapting its fortifications to modern combat conditions. After an unsuccessful attempt by Soviet troops to quickly capture the city, the fortress and the city were finally taken on March 12, 1945. However, as a result of intense fighting, about 90% of the buildings were destroyed, including a significant portion of the bastions. Today, the fortress area is divided by the Polish-German border, with most of the preserved structures located on the Polish side. Tourists can visit sites such as Fort Gorgast in Germany and Bastion Filip, the Chyżańska Gate, and the Berlińska Gate in Poland. An interesting fact is that in 1808, the Redemptorist Klemens Maria Hofbauer was imprisoned in the fortress. The preserved parts of the fortress are currently undergoing restoration, which helps protect and promote the cultural heritage of the region. It is also important to note that Kostrzyn Fortress, a witness to turbulent history, is a tribute to the architectural and military heritage that reflects the evolution of defensive techniques over the centuries.