Grolmann Bastion

Grolmann Bastion is a fortification in Kaliningrad built between 1851 and 1860, featuring horseshoe-shaped ramparts, earthen walls, underground passages, and multiple casemates. The site reveals the defensive engineering techniques of the 1800s through its various functional rooms and access points.

Ernst Ludwig von Aster designed this fortification and named it after Prussian General Karl von Grolmann, an army reformer who modernized military structures. Its construction between 1851 and 1860 was part of upgrading Königsberg into a modern border fortress.

The bastion stands as evidence of Prussian military tradition from the 1800s, and visitors can explore how the garrison functioned through the preserved rooms and structures. The design of the ramparts and casemates reveals the strategic thinking that guided the defense of a border fortress.

A section of the bastion now houses a museum displaying artifacts from old Königsberg, allowing visitors to explore multiple levels and passages throughout the site. The paths through the complex are sometimes narrow and require attention on uneven ground.

Underground passages connected this site to neighboring barracks, forming a hidden tunnel network for moving troops without exposure to outside view. This concealed system remains one of the most intriguing features for visitors interested in military infrastructure.