Description of the attraction
Bobruisk Fortress is an architectural monument of the 19th century. On June 20, 1810, Emperor Alexander 1 signed a decree on the construction of the fortress and approved its plan. It was built under the leadership of Karl Opperman, a German by nationality, but a Russian citizen.
The magnificently designed plan of the fortress took into account all the features of the landscape and even the old buildings as much as possible. So, during the construction, a former Jesuit church was used.
The Bobruisk fortress was given the most important place in the defense of the Russian Empire. It was assumed that it would become a springboard for gathering troops in the event of an attack on Russia's borders from the west. The fortress consisted of eight bastions, it could hold 300 guns and more than 4 thousand soldiers.
The fortress was built by the whole country. All Russian provinces supplied construction materials. So, on the eastern gate of the fortress there is an inscription: “From the Caucasus … this is delivered to the land of the Belarusians. April, 27 days 1811"
Bobruisk fortress was built by the end of 1811. By the beginning of the war with Napoleon, she was almost completely ready. The fortress did not submit to the French during the Patriotic War of 1812. Construction continued after the end of the war. In 1820, the Upland Fortification was built, named after the Emperor of Prussia, Fort Friedrich Wilhelm.
After the December uprising, the Bobruisk fortress became a casemate. Political prisoners, including the Decembrists, were exiled here, including V. Divov, M. Bodisko, S. Trusov, V. Norov.
During the Great Patriotic War, a large concentration camp was located here. On the night of November 7, 1941, more than 7 thousand prisoners of war were shot here.
After the war, the fortress fell into disrepair. In the early 50s, it was decided to demolish the Bobruisk fortress, but the strong walls, built of solid stone, withstood dynamite explosions.
In 2002, the Bobruisk Fortress was included in the register of the State List of Historical and Cultural Values of the Republic of Belarus. The fortress is currently being reconstructed.
