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The Modlin Fortress is a unique monument of defensive architecture and the largest complex of this kind in Poland and one of the largest in Europe. It is located in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, 30 km (19 mi) north-west of Warsaw.
The origins of the fortress go back to 1806 when Napoleon ordered the fortification of bridgeheads on the Vistula. A legend has it that Napoleon himself designed one of the first buildings.
A number of armies were stationed in the fortress, including the French, Russians, Germans and Poles. The fortifications were gradually extended. The first phase was a gigantic barracks building (length: 2200 m [7218 ft]). It is Poland’s longest building even today. It was designed for 17,000 soldiers as the last line of defence for the fortress. The so-called White Tower (Biala Wieża) rises over the barracks with an exciting panorama of the Narew and Vistula rivers and an old granary across the Narew. In the 1880s, two rings of forts were built around Modlin: an inner one, located from 2 to 6 km (1 to 4 mi), and an outer one, located from 5 to 10 km (3 to 6 mi) from Modlin. The inner and outer rings consisted of 8 and 14 forts respectively.
It is advisable to hire a guide when visiting the fortress as precise signboards are not available:
Fundacja Park Militarny Twierdzy Modlin
(Modlin Fortress Military Park Foundation)
phone: 604 607 092 (9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday)
e-mail: info@twierdzamodlin.pl
See also:
- Miedzyrzecki Fortified Region
- Wolf's Lair
Other recommended sites in the area:
