Terespol Gate

The Terespol Gate is a three-story red brick structure with reinforced corner turrets located on the western side of Brest Fortress near the Bug River. The entrance displays typical military architecture with thick walls designed to protect the citadel from attacks.

The gate was built in 1836 as part of the fortress modernization and maintained its original form until the German invasion. The German crossing through this entrance on June 22, 1941, started an eight-day battle that became legendary for Soviet resistance.

The gate functions as part of the Brest Fortress memorial complex, where visitors encounter it as a symbol of resistance and human endurance. Walking through its passage, people reflect on what happened within these walls during wartime.

The gate is accessible daily through guided tours of Brest Fortress, with informational panels explaining the military design. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the paths within the fortress are uneven and can become slippery during rainy periods.

The name comes from the nearby Polish town of Terespol, and the gate kept this designation despite multiple administrative changes. Two large underground water reservoirs inside supplied the entire citadel and demonstrate how defensive structures integrated with essential survival needs.