Maxim Gorky Fortresses

The Maxim Gorky Fortresses form a military history museum in Sevastopol, a port city on the Crimean Peninsula. The installation spreads over a large coastal area with underground passages, gun emplacements, and bunkers, many of which remain in their original condition.

The coastal battery was constructed in 1912 under Emperor Nicholas II and became a central defense point during the siege of Sevastopol from 1941 to 1942 against German troops. After heavy fighting, the installation was captured and later restored as a memorial.

The site is named after the Russian writer who visited Sevastopol several times and wrote about the city. Inside, display rooms show everyday objects carried by soldiers and documents from the defense period, offering a tangible sense of military life during the siege.

The underground areas are cool and damp, so warm clothing and sturdy footwear with non-slip soles are recommended. Some passages are narrow and have low ceilings, which can make movement challenging.

Two large artillery towers each house a pair of heavy naval guns from the imperial era, among the largest mounted in fixed fortifications in Russia. The guns can rotate and adjust elevation, a feature sometimes demonstrated during guided tours.