5 fort (Kaliningrad): description, photo, construction history

Fort number 5 (Kaliningrad) is an important monument of defense architecture. In addition, it is a well-known military-historical complex of the city. In 1878, on its north-western outskirts, a powerful fortification - the 5th fort grew. Kaliningrad in the second half of the XIX century, surrounded by two rings of defensive structures, turning the city into a real fortress.

The History of the Konigsberg Fortress Belt

The ancient city of Koenigsberg on the banks of the Pregoli River was originally built as a castle and retained this status until the end of World War II. Already in the middle of the XIII century the first fortifications appeared here . Earthen ramparts, bastions, powerful walls and barracks for the military - all this accompanied Kaliningrad almost all of its history. One of the most famous and valuable monuments of urban defensive architecture is Fort 5.

Kaliningrad seriously thought about creating a continuous belt of forts in the second half of the XIX century, when rifled artillery appeared. They were erected at a certain distance from each other, taking into account the range of artillery fire. All 15 forts were connected by one 43-kilometer ring road.

Alas, the weapons developed and improved at that time faster than the forts of Koenigsberg were built. By the beginning of the last century, they began to become hopelessly obsolete. The First World War defeated the city's fortifications, including the 5th fort. Kaliningrad in the Second World War was able to hold the assault of Soviet troops for only four days, despite the extensive campaign "about the indestructible power of the Koenigsberg fortifications," deployed the day before in the Hitlerite press.

Thus, in April 1945, the history of city forts as military-engineering facilities, in fact, ended.

Fort 5, Kaliningrad: the history of construction and operation

The complex was built during the years 1872-1878 near the residential area of Charlottenburg. Now it is located in the forest, at the end of the Soviet avenue.

"King Frederick William III" - so in 1894, they named the 5th fort. Kaliningrad (and then still the city of Königsberg) under the leadership of this Prussian monarch defended himself from the troops of Napoleon.

The fort was not strictly military and secret. At certain hours and days it was allowed to visit ordinary citizens. And in the early twentieth century, it was repeatedly used to launch festive salutes.

In the spring of 1945, Fort No. 5 experienced the main blow of the 43rd Soviet Army and had a serious resistance. The siege lasted four days. The stronghold held to the last and fell when the fierce fighting was already in the center of the city. During the assault, Fort No. 5 was badly damaged.

Fort 5 (Kaliningrad): photo, description and state of the art

Strengthening is drawn by its frontal part to the north-west. This is a classic hexagonal structure made of red brick, covered for greater strength with a layer of concrete. Its length is 215 meters, width - 105 m. It is surrounded by a moat with water, earthen rampart and a solid wall.

The structure was carefully disguised by vegetation. In the earthen rampart there were trenches and firing points for various guns. With the city the fort was connected by a bridge, approaches to which covered the concrete pillbox (preserved in a dilapidated form to the present day).

Fort "King Friedrich Wilhelm III" today is considered an object of cultural heritage of Russia. The fortress is a branch of the regional historical and art museum, here you can see rare military photographs. The territory is regularly held historical reconstruction, highlighting the events of the assault of Koenigsberg in 1945.

Near the fort there is a memorial complex dedicated to Soviet soldiers who died during his siege. On the earthen shaft are installed guns, torpedoes, bombs and other implements, and near the pillbox you can see a monument with the names of fifteen soldiers (heroes of the USSR) who participated in the storming of the fortress.

Finally…

Do I need to visit the 5th fort? Kaliningrad is a city with a rich and rich history. And you can find out about some of his pages here, on the territory of Fort 5 "King Friedrich Wilhelm III".

Near the stronghold you can see the exhibition of a heavy Soviet gun. Inside the fort itself you will be told about the history of the creation of the defensive structures of Koenigsberg-Kaliningrad.

The museum complex is open daily from 10-00 to 20-00.