Bobruisk fortress

Bobruisk fortress is a monument of architecture of the first half of the 19th century. It was built on the site of the old city of Bobruisk, in order to defend Western borders of the Russian Empire. The project made and supervised by the engineer Karl Opperman. Throughout its existence, the fortress was used as a military facility, as the building of brick was very durable, had vaulted ceilings and loopholes.
 

A bit of history

In 1810 relations between Russia and France has deteriorated considerably and with each passing month the conflict has intensified. Then the Emperor Alexander I decided to start a service with the Western borders of the country. To do this, the engineer Theodore Narbut offers to build a fortress at Bobruisk land. In 1810 Alexander I approved the plan of the buildings on the right Bank of the Berezina river. The soldiers demolished the homes of local residents, the 14th-century castle, 17th-century Palace, churches and monasteries for the construction of the citadel. Residents invited to sleep in free lands around the fortress.

Some historians believe that the construction of Bobruisk fortress conceived by Catherine II, when she toured the Belarusian lands. In this place she wanted to organize a staging base for Russian soldiers.

4 Jun 1810 is the official date of the founding of the Bobruisk fortress. During the intensive work on the building was covered by trees, offers earthworks, built eight bastions and created an internal development.
 

Interesting facts

By the end of 1811, the fortress already had a great capacity. At that time it was considered one of the best in Belarus. At the beginning of the war of 1812, 300 guns put into service of the Bobruisk fortress and placed more than 4 thousand people. Wall powerful structures had a thickness of 10 bricks, which made them impenetrable to artillery.

When hostilities began, this important strong point of the Russian army was able to meet the army Pyotr Bagration and Barclay de Tolly. It joined the military food stocks left the sick and wounded, and received reinforcements.

After the war the construction of Bobruisk fortress continued: increased the territory, erected additional fortifications, arranged streets and boulevards. New architect A. staubert was the supporter of classical style. In the Babruisk castle has a Cathedral square with located on it a hospital, a headquarters building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Since 1886, the fortress lost its defensive significance and was transformed into a warehouse. During world war II the German invaders organized in her concentration camp for Soviet prisoners. About 40 thousand Soviet soldiers and 40 thousand civilians were killed and starved to death.

In 2002, the Bobruisk fortress was made in the State list istoriko-cultural values of Belarus. In 2006 part of the complex is transferred to the Ministry of defense of the city and began reconstruction.
 

What to see in Bobruisk fortress

Part of the fortifications destroyed, but to have survived nine Raduyev bridgeheads, rest, matematichny Bastion tower Opperman, part earthworks, and about two dozen administrative buildings.
 

How to get

The fortress is located 140 km from Minsk. It can be reached by buses or minibuses from Minsk or in their own cars.