Fort Kronprinz, Military fortification in Niederhausbergen, France
Fort Kronprinz is a military fortification on a hilltop north of Strasbourg, built with thick concrete walls, underground passages, and several defensive structures across its grounds. The site features multiple buildings and installations that reflect its original military purpose and defensive layout.
The fortification was built between 1875 and 1888 as part of a defensive ring of 14 structures surrounding Strasbourg following the city's capture by German forces in 1870. It represented a major strategic effort to protect the region during the following decades.
The Orthodox Chapel Saint-Sava inside holds wall paintings created by Yugoslav prisoners during World War II that depict medieval Serbian monasteries. These images reflect the spiritual life and memories that prisoners maintained while held at the site.
The site now houses a primatology research unit of the University of Strasbourg conducting studies on primate behavior and development. Access to the grounds may require advance arrangements, as portions are dedicated to active research operations.
An ammunition explosion in 1953 caused significant damage to the structure and resulted in six deaths, leading to a memorial installation at the site. This incident left visible marks on the fortification and serves as a reminder of the facility's complex post-war history.
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