Fort VIIA, Military fortress in Mokotów, Poland
Fort VIIA is a military fortress in Mokotów with a rhomboidal layout, reinforced concrete shelters, and earthwork ramparts positioned at the southern edge of the Służewiec district. The structure displays the characteristic defensive design of Warsaw's 19th-century fortification network with visible masonry walls.
The fortress was built in the 1890s as part of Warsaw's defensive ring to guard the road toward Puławy, now Puławska Street. After dismantling in 1909, most combat facilities were removed, leaving only the central concrete storage structure standing today.
The film studio archives now occupy the fort's concrete chambers, storing reels alongside the fort's thick walls in an unexpected pairing. This repurposing shows how a place built for defense has found new meaning in preserving creative work.
The fort is located on Lotników Avenue and welcomes visitors interested in examining 19th-century fortification architecture up close. The site sits within the urban district, making it easily reachable as part of a neighborhood walking route.
The central concrete chamber survived the 1909 demolition of combat structures and remains as the sole major building from the original fortification. This structure stands today as a striking reminder of the durability of Warsaw's 19th-century defenses.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
