Fortifications are definitely a must for every visitor. What makes them even more interesting is the fact that from the beginnings of Zamość, i.e. from the 16th century till the liquidation of the fortress in 1866 the fortifications evolved, keeping up with the new advances in military art. From its very beginning Zamość had very modern bastion fortifications. In all, the fortress had 7 bastions, which were joined by 200 m curtain walls; additionally, access to the town was prevented by moats and swamps. Three gates led to the town. This state of affairs lasted till the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, when earthwork started to be built in front of fortress walls. However, it was in the 1820s and 1830s that the fortress underwent a major modernisation during which the bastions were remodelled, two monumental brick entrenchments were erected and the walls were fitted out with firing galleries. Outside the walls, in front of fortress walls lunettes, ravelins, counterguards, caponiers and a rotunda were built; these facilities increased the defensive potential of the area in front of the fortress significantly.
The suggested sightseeing tour starts in a car park near the Szczebrzeska Gate and leads first to the Rotunda and then to the Watergate and along Moranda and Kościuszki Streets to the New Lwowska Gate, the Lwowska Gate and the entrenchment. Then the route takes visitors to the external perimeter of the fortress, past Bastions No. 7 and 6 to the New Lubelska Gate, then near the Old Lubelska Gate to a caponier and Bastion No. 4 situated in the Town Park, then to the Arsenal and through the Szczebrzeska Gate back to the car park.
Return to landmarks on route...