Katedralna Lock in Poznań, Hydraulic fortification in Ostrów Tumski, Poland.
Katedralna Lock is a water control structure on Ostrów Tumski featuring a weir system integrated with stone walls and regulation mechanisms. The structure spans the Cybina River and showcases the technical design of a facility serving both civil and defensive purposes.
Karl von Grolman designed this structure in 1839 as an expansion of Poznań Fortress defenses. It represented a new approach to combining water management with military infrastructure in the mid-19th century.
The lock reflects how water management became essential to urban growth in the 19th century. Its role in controlling the river while serving the city remains visible in its design today.
The structure is located on Ostrów Tumski and is easily accessible while exploring the historic island area. Stone walls and water mechanisms are visible from walkways, with information panels providing technical details about its operation.
The structure retains its original dual purpose of water level control and military defense in a single installation. This combination of civil and military engineering was innovative for the 19th century and remains visible in how the stone walls are built.
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