Narva bastions, 17th century fortification system in Narva, Estonia.
The Narva bastions are a defensive system of seven stone fortifications arranged around the city and still partly visible today. Each one has thick walls, underground passages, and chambers built for military defense.
Swedish engineer Erik Dahlberg planned these fortifications between 1682 and 1704 as a protective barrier between Sweden and Russia. The system was an advanced example of European defensive engineering of its era.
The bastion names such as Victoria and Fortuna come from the Swedish military period and reflect ideals you can see carved into stone plaques and written on the walls throughout the structures.
The restored Victoria bastion with its exposed casemates and gunpowder stores is accessible to visitors and shows the original defensive layout. Comfortable shoes are recommended since paths cross uneven ground.
The bastions are connected by a network of about 1.5 kilometers of underground passages that provided soldiers shelter and mobility during sieges. This tunnel system remains mostly hidden, but in some sections visitors can see glimpses of this concealed infrastructure.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
