Enclosed by a ring of 19th-century fortifications comprising 18 forts and numerous shelters, Poznań holds its title of a fortress city for a reason. Several dozens of the great number of shelters and air-raid trenches built throughout the city during World War II have managed to endure. In the city centre, those with a discerning eye will unmistakably observe the remains of a medieval city wall and military structures from the time of the so-called polygonal fortress. Ruins of the huge Winiary Fort, the so-called Poznan Citadel, draw tourists and locals alike. Located within Poznań's largest park, the site is home to two fascinating military museums housed in the basement of a former fort.

Held, as always, on the last weekend of summer holidays, the Poznań Fortress Days are a great opportunity to learn about such attractions. Some thirty military structures will be open for public viewing. The complete list of accessible facilities will be released in late August alongside a full programme showcasing additional attractions and details. Information brochures with a map of all the open facilities will also be provided.

The forts are expected to be the main draw for visitors this year. Access will be granted to several notable locations, including Fort I in Starołęka, Fort IIa in Os. Czecha, Fort IVa in Wilczy Młyn, Fort VI on ul. Dojazd, and Fort VII on ul. Polska (which houses the Museum of the Wielkopolska Martyrs). Among these forts, Fort VI offers the most extensive range of attractions beyond regular sightseeing. For children, there will be a large inflatables zone, an exhibition featuring historic machines and devices, moving locomotive and steam engine models, and a polygonal fortress mock-up. Older visitors will find interest in an exhibition dedicated to the German occupation of Poznań called Wartheland, a permanent World War I display, a showcase of military vehicles and equipment, reconstructions and dioramas, a field hospital, as well as opportunities for laser, archery, airsoft and pneumatic shooting, a dog tag punching stand, a 1920s-style café, and a demonstration of the MG-08/15 machine gun.

In other forts, similar attractions, albeit on a smaller scale, eagerly await visitors. Fort IIa offers a cipher point, an obstacle course, a creativity corner, and a scout stand. However, the most anticipated experience lies in the chance to delve into the dark (and cool) passageways of this mysterious facility. The underground section of the fort, comprising the main postern, kitchen, medical emergency shelter, courtyard, as well as the artillery and infantry ramparts, will be open for exploration. Additionally, visitors can access the front barracks and a reverse caponier, which features an approximately 130-meters-long postern. Knowledgeable guides will be on hand to explain any unclear military tech terms.

At the partially blown-up Fort Via situated between Lechicka Street and the Wilczy Młyn Housing Estate, lectures followed by guided tours will commence every one-and-a-half hours. Visitors will be treated to complimentary refreshments along with shows and fights by the Knight Brotherhood of the Prus Coat of Arms. Additionally, attendees will have an opportunity to meet and talk with members of the Poznań Fortress Covenant.

At ul. Babimojska across the city, fallout shelter tours will commence every hour on the hour, commemorating "110 years since the construction of the first concrete fortress shelters". A guide in period uniform will lead the way through the shelter. Those seeking a night-time experience can explore the facility via the "Path of Horror."

Anticipation builds for a walk around Poznań's Central Railway Station hosted by the Underground Buffs Association. Visitors will discover defence facilities in this area and learn about Rundbau shelters. Highlights of the tour include the railway caponier, an underground passage to the fairgrounds, a postal tunnel, as well as military-command and civilian shelters. To participate, registration is required. Further details will be shared on the Facebook page of the Underground Buffs Association. The same organisation will lead visits to the air-raid shelter on ul. Kościelna in the Jeżyce district, which has recently become accessible after years of being buried.

This year's Fortress Days will feature collaboration with the Poznań museums located within the fortifications. Special events will take place in the Armaments Museum in the Citadel, the Genius loci Archaeological Reserve, and the Lock Gallery on Cathedral Island. For more information, refer to the event poster.

Szymon Mazur

translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski

• Poznań Fortress Days
• 26-27 August
• dnitwierdzypoznan.pl

© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2023