Fort 31 "Benedykt", Military fortification on Lasota Hill, Kraków, Poland.
Fort 31 Benedykt is a military fortification on Lasota Hill in Kraków, featuring a distinctive hexadecagonal tower structure with a central circular courtyard built from brick and stone. The structure includes crenellations and displays typical characteristics of 19th-century fortress architecture.
Built between 1853 and 1856 according to architect Feliks Księżarski's design, it formed part of the Kraków Fortress complex. The fort was created to defend the Lviv Route, an important transportation corridor of the era.
The fort takes its name from the nearby Saint Benedict Church, reflecting how local landmarks influenced the naming of military structures. This naming tradition shows how military installations were integrated into the broader religious and geographical identity of the area.
The fort is located at Por. Antoniego Stawarza 29 and is currently not open to visitors. You can observe the exterior structure from outside the surrounding fence.
Inside the fort stands a wooden drawbridge spanning the former moat. This bridge leads to circular corridors and rooms with barrel-vaulted ceilings and lunettes, revealing the well-preserved interior design.
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