Petersberg Citadel, Citadel in Erfurt, Germany
Petersberg Citadel is a fortress in Erfurt built with eight bastions and substantial stone walls of varying thickness connected across the grounds. The layout follows military architecture principles with geometric fortifications and spacious interior areas that allowed for garrison operations.
The fortress was built in the 17th century as a military installation under a prince-bishop's authority and served defensive purposes for the city over many centuries. Its role as a garrison ended in the latter half of the 20th century, after which it opened to public access.
The Peterskirche church within these grounds traces back to a Benedictine monastery founded in the 11th century. Today this church provides a quiet spiritual space that contrasts with the fortress structures surrounding it.
The grounds are accessible on foot with various pathways for exploring the fortifications and interior areas. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the sizeable terrain requires considerable movement to see different sections.
Beneath the grounds runs a network of underground passages originally designed for military surveillance and troop movement. A notable detail is the preserved fortress bakery from the 19th century, which reveals how the garrison maintained its food supplies.
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