Oblique caponier Fortress, Military fortification in Kyiv, Ukraine
The Oblique Caponier is a semi-underground fortification in Kyiv built with thick stone and brick walls fitted with gun ports and loopholes. The structure was designed to aim fire sideways along the main ramparts, protecting the fortress flanks from multiple angles.
Built in 1844 as part of the Hospital fortification complex within the larger New Pechersk fortress system, the structure was converted into a political prison during the 1860s. This shift in purpose reflects how military structures were adapted to meet changing needs in the region.
The name reflects a French military engineering method that shaped how fortifications were built across Europe in the 1800s. Walking through the structure, you notice how it embodies military thinking of that era and became a symbol of the region's strategic importance.
The site is located on Hospitalnaya Street 24a and welcomes visitors daily with guided tours available through the semi-underground passages. Wear comfortable shoes since the ground is uneven and there are stairs descending into the lower levels of the structure.
The parabolic layout of the fortress on Cherepanova Hill includes multiple artillery stations and underground tunnels connecting different sections. These hidden passages allowed defenders to move between positions without being exposed, adding an unexpected layer to the defensive design.
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