ЗАПАДНЫЙ ФОРТ. Брестской крепости #брест #брестскаякрепость #беларусь

The Western and Eastern Forts are "twins" built as part of a large-scale modernization of the fortress. They were erected between 1864 and 1868, based on the designs of the distinguished military engineer Eduard Ivanovich Totleben, on the largest fortification, the Kobrin Fortification. Interestingly, from a strictly engineering perspective, they are not forts in the classical sense. They are so-called reduits—internal defensive structures designed to reinforce the main rampart and serve as a last bastion of defense in the event of an enemy breaching the main fortification. The name "fort" firmly stuck with them in the 20th century. The design of the Western Fort is ingenious in its simplicity and effectiveness for its time. Central Rampart and Barracks: The heart of the fort is a powerful horseshoe-shaped earthen rampart. Hidden within this rampart is a two-story brick barracks with 28 casemates. The barracks is divided into two parts, with the arsenal (warehouse) between them, housing weapons and ammunition. A bakery, kitchen, and dining hall for the personnel were also located here. Powder magazines: For greater security, two separate powder magazines were located along the edges of the central rampart. Dry ditch and counterscarp gallery: The rampart is surrounded by a deep, dry ditch. The outer wall of the ditch (counterscarp) is lined with brick. But the most interesting feature is hidden within: the counterscarp gallery, a unique structure approximately 500 meters long, consisting of 80 casemates connected by enfilades (passages). Through loopholes in the walls of this gallery, defenders could fire straight through the ditch, preventing the enemy from crossing it. Posterns (underground passages): The barracks in the center of the fort are connected to the counterscarp gallery by four underground corridors called posterns. Two of these have additional exits directly into the dry moat, allowing the garrison to launch surprise sorties. By the beginning of World War II, the fortification value of the Western Fort, like that of the entire citadel, had diminished. It was used as a warehouse and barracks. Until 2006, the western part of the Kobrin fortification was occupied by a military unit, which used the fort for storage. Today, the Western Fort is a fascinating site for study, in a state of "abandonment with history." Unlike the restored Eastern Fort, which has been converted into a museum, the Western Fort has been preserved in the form it was left in after the departure of the Soviet army. Book a tour: https://www.instagram.com/guide.brest... Shoot a video: https://www.instagram.com/naumik_prob...