Memorial places and monuments

In the first instance, fortresses and fortifications had military functions. They were built to keep out invaders and later to keep people imprisoned. Many monuments are thus closely connected with a long history of military conflicts and human tragedies.

Today, many memorial monuments, places and exhibitions remind of fateful turnarounds of the past. Accordingly, the ruin of the old town and of the fortress Kostrzyn nad Odra (PL) are still in the same shape as in 1945 after the military battles between the German Armed Forces and the Red Army.

The fortified ideal city Terezin (CZ) stands worldwide as a memorial for the holocaust crimes during the Second World War. In addition, also the fortified Castle Sonnenstein in Pirna (D), Fort No. IX in Kaunas (LIT) and Fort Breendonk in Willebroek (BEL) as memorial places and monuments deal with the holocaust crimes of the Second World War. At the Fortress Huy (BEL), you can ascend with the panorama cable car to visit the museum of resistance and the concentration camp with eleven exhibition halls at the top.

75 Years End of Second World War in Fortresses

The end of World War II in 1945 in Europe took place also in the fiercely fought over fortifications of the 20th century. But also older fortifications became the scene of dramatically events at the end of the war. Whether liberation, destruction or refuge for the civilian population, also fortresses influenced the fate of many people at this time.

For the commemorative year 2020, the European fortress tourism and fortress marketing network organizes a commemorative initiative with various partners to make this part of history in fortresses public awareness. As part of the initiative, educational and commemorative events in European fortresses should shed light on and convey this historical events and connections. more information